About - The Year of Growth

Welcome to this space on the internet where mindfulness, travel and growth come together.

The Year of Growth is an intentional platform for Exchange Students who care about personal growth and making the most out of their time abroad.

We believe your exchange year should count. Furthermore, we believe an exchange year can be one of the most transformational periods of your life. That’s why we’ve created a platform to give exchange students the confidence, clarity, and direction needed before and during their time abroad.

Our students walk away with tools and habits to foster self-awareness, independence, and connection. As well as a community of like-minded peers whose friendships last for a lifetime.

Join our mission to creating the next conscious generation of leaders! 🌍

While being abroad is an exciting journey, it is never smooth-sailing. You may encounter moments of loneliness, anxiety and homesickness. It’s difficult leaving your loved ones behind, and even more so when dealing with major changes in a new environment. Whether that’s dealing with culture shock, communication struggles, or you’re simply missing home. You’re not alone!

We believe in developing self-awareness from a young age based on our core values. Values that form the foundation of everything we do. Values that transform our exchange students into not only global citizens but conscious global leaders.

And above all, we never ever forget to Keep Dreaming And Believing!

We prioritise mindful self-reflection

We communicate honestly

we take inspired action

I’m Yasmin Wilnis, a freelance filmmaker, photographer, writer, and content creator. Though, most importantly, I’m a former exchange student. Welcome to my creative corner of the Internet!

My daily mission is to bring mindfulness to your exchange year and to help you navigate life on this special journey. My exchange year was one of the most impactful years of my life. Through my own “year of growth”, I’ve learned the importance of living in the moment and developing my sense of self. I feel it is my duty to share my own experiences as well as former exchange students around me to inspire a new generation of global citizens. So, let’s find more ease and ditch the small-thinking mindset, shall we?

Whether you’re currently abroad or still in the research phase, it’s a unique journey to be an exchange student. Through this platform, I hope to inspire you to create your own version of an intentional lifestyle abroad. One that motivates you to slow down, reflect, and tune into your own channel. When you’re happy doin’ you, you come back a whole new individual that inspires others to do the same.

Outside of The Year of Growth, I’m a dancer, movie-quote extraordinaire and cat snuggler living in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. You can usually find me dancing on Instagram or with my camera strapped to me.

I’m Yasmin Wilnis, a freelance filmmaker, photographer, writer, and content creator. Though, most importantly, I’m a former exchange student. Welcome to my creative corner of the Internet!

My daily mission is to bring mindfulness to your exchange year and to help you navigate life on this special journey. My exchange year was one of the most impactful years of my life. Through my own “year of growth”, I’ve learned the importance of living in the moment and developing my sense of self. I feel it my duty to share my own experiences as well as those around me to a new generation of global citizens. So, let’s find more ease and ditch the small-thinking mindset, shall we?

Outside of The Year of Growth, I’m a dancer, movie-quote extraordinaire and cat snuggler living in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. You can usually find me dancing on Instagram or with my camera strapped to me. If you see me around town, please do come say hi!

Read my personal experiences

Exchange Story: Leaving My Home Country

On 31st July, 2013, it was time. Time to say goodbye to what felt like my whole world. The people I grew