Study Visit
Authentic Leadership
Starting Sustainable Change
Lesvos, Greece
April 29 - May 3 2025
Creating inspirational change
Would you like to experience how you can provide even more tailored support to vulnerable children?
In this in-depth journey you will discover how you can realize positive change in your working environment in an inspired way. A change that only you can bring, based on your uniqueness. A movement that makes everyone enthusiastic. You, your colleagues and yes, even your manager.
The Greek island of Lesvos symbolizes a place of transformation. As a result of the arrival of many men, women and children from other countries, both locals and refugees are experiencing a major change in their lives. A change in which people feel called to contribute, based on their inner values, to what is important to them.
Together, Greeks and people from different cultures are creating new forms of care for refugees, for the environment and in the field of education. All initiatives arise from sustainable efforts by passionate people.
In inspiring working visits to communities, we survey how you can initiate encouraging change for your working environment. At the same time, you deepen your qualities in trauma-sensitive guidance of children.
You do not need to have a management position to participate.
Benefits
- Courage to start sustainable positive change in life
- Leadership test
- Cultural immersion
- Inner compass skills acquisition
- Exclusive content on changing from within
- Professional networking
- Lifelong friendships
- Social impact & contribution
- Certificate
More information
About Lesvos
The traditional place of Lesvos has many sides. This third largest island in Greece is known for its beautiful nature, countless olive trees and bird watching. Tourists enjoy the wonders of this gem in the Aegean Sea.
At the same time, Lesvos is the place where a humanitarian crisis took place in 2015/2016. Hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria and Afghanistan crossed the Aegean Sea from Turkey to seek a safe home in Europe. To this day, boats are arriving every week with men, women and children fleeing war, poverty and persecution.
I will take you on an inner journey in a small group with enough space to guide you individually. There is a free afternoon to explore the island or to muse by the sea.
For whom
- Difference makers in schools and in organizations
- DaZ/DaF Lehrpersonen
- Child psychologists
- School psychologists
The Lesvos study visit is for you if you wish to delve deeper into your personal and professional growth.
You are open to self-reflection and are curious about how you can start fruitful change in your organization.
Personal stories
It turned out very well to go to Lesvos with our team
Every day I think: the visit has meant more for me than I thought possible.
We are looking at trauma-sensitive teaching in a new way because we saw with our own eyes what students experience.
Rob Sakko, managing director, Netherlands
Valuable for my work & personal development
It has been a few years since I went on this study visit with Hélène van Oudheusden and it is an experience that I have never forgotten.
Very valuable for my work, but also for my personal development. To experience where many of my students have been, how misleading the sea seems... It makes an impression.
If you have the chance, definitely do it! I would go again in a heartbeat.
Nynke Bekema, coordinator Education Team, Netherlands
Who organizes the study visit?
Hélène van Oudheusden is an international leadership mentor in education, organizer of the Lesvos trip and trainer trauma-sensitive guidance.
She is a humanitarian worker on Lesvos. Hélène lives in The Hague, the Netherlands and on Lesvos, Greece.
The study visit is based on 30 years of international experience with inner leadership, change management and team development.
Author of Teaching Refugee Children, also available as Unterricht für Migrantenkinder.
