This journey has made me see the real faces and voices of Middle East people, and I can say right now that they’re quite different of the news about this region that we watch in our western media. Because of that prejudgment, I wasn’t sure about the good understanding between all of us in this journey. Now, when this incredible experience is about to finish, I leave Oman with a very good feeling inside. I’ve witnessed wonderful debates these days. In some of them we reached agreements very quickly. In others, however, our opinions were further and the debates more passionate because of that, but always knowing that we are concerned with the same things: peace, justice, happiness, among others. I see how the lack of communication is one of the fundamental problems of our days.

Santiago Lozano Lopez, Spain

I learnt I am not alone in the world with things to say and ideas for change. It was reassuring to know there were others learning new things alongside me. I learnt nothing is impossible for our future – if you find something you believe in to be flawed/incorrect, it is alright to change your position and admit to yourself that what you believed might be wrong. I appreciate the value of water – we all take our resources for granted, we must preserve our wealth and our honorable values.

Bushra, Jordan

It is of great satisfaction to provide and share knowledge from your own point of view as well as gaining valuable insights on how my country and my nationality are recognized, considered and understood from perspectives that I never came across before. I have learnt more about the Islam and the Arabic culture during these five astonishing days and got into such deep and thoughtful debates than I ever was able to during my time at school. It is not about overruling or adopting other cultures but to build a mature awareness of them and by this becoming able to live peacefully together and respect each other. Projects like Connecting Culture are a key element in a strategy that not even aims for ensuring but also to enlarge and extend the ability of people to communicate more properly.

Peter Cramer, Germany

Islam is not that different from Christianity, both have one God, one Holy Script, both agree violence is not acceptable, killing is unacceptable bar self defense. Both place the family at the centre of their lives. We all want a loving family, good education, honest jobs, stable government, good health care and most importantly peace.

Charlie Hamilton, UK

Also, now I know how to act, behave and deal with people from different countries. Also, I think that I’m proud because I’m an Omani Muslim and I was a part of this amazing experience. Also, I learned how to connect and cooperate with people from different countries, ages and ways for thinking without any misunderstanding between you and them

Noor Al-Wahibi, Oman

I have learnt that girls are similar no matter what country they are from, common ground can always be found. We all share similar values, hopes and ambitions. Most importantly, we can all see the negative aspects of todays world and how reducing cultural misunderstanding is key to improvement.

Kate Muir Jones, UK

I have learned through this trip that it is essential to create a personal, face-to-face, platform for the communication between different people in order to share the norms and traditions in an effective manner, contrary to the secondary forms of communication, i.e. telephones and internet connections. There are things in life that need to be seen and experienced first hand, rather then through other means such as the TV and other media sources.

Audai Sami Mohammed El Zoubi, Jordan