My name is Isa and I volunteered in Lithuania for 11 months. My stay there was a wonderful time that I look back on fondly.
My responsibilities at the youth centre included spending time with visitors, helping with events, and realizing my own projects. For example, I started a crochet workshop and gave several presentations on topics that were important to me. I also diligently decorated the centre, leaving behind small mementos of myself in the form of murals, crocheted pendants, and decorated records.
An unexpected challenge that I attempted with other volunteers was to teach English to Lithuanian adults in the form of regular lessons.

It was a wonderful experience to use my skills to be an asset to the youth centre and my fellow human beings.

This time has taught me a lot and changed me as a person. It's difficult to put into words exactly how. But I've gained a great deal of life experience. A key realization for me was that every person on this planet is simply human, and while we are all shaped by different experiences and speak different languages, we can still work together and understand each other well. I've become better at approaching people openly, and I've also learned that good times always follow bad ones.

There's so much I'm taking away from my volunteer work. New friends, new skills, new ideas, but especially the memories. Memories of big events, like the training weeks and the Pride parade in Vilnius, but also of countless little things that meant a lot to me. Whether it was late-night walks with other volunteers in our small town or bus rides through the beautiful Lithuanian countryside. Singing karaoke with friends and new acquaintances, and later standing barefoot in a fountain because someone told us it was a tradition among international volunteers. Conversations in Lithuanian with people at the youth centre and understanding for the first time what a woman on the street was asking me. Being given an ice cream and going to a pretty area with my mentor because I'd had an exceptionally bad day up until then. Exploring Lithuania on our bikes with other volunteers. These are moments I cherish and occasionally recall with a smile.

I can wholeheartedly recommend doing volunteer work. With the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), virtually all costs (transportation, rent, food, etc.) are covered; it's a really excellent program accessible to almost all young EU citizens. I believe the world would be a better place if more people volunteered. :)
 

Updated on Tuesday, 24/02/2026

It all started in 2023, in the second year of my studies, when I decided to apply for a long-term Erasmus in Belgium. The waiting period until acceptance by the host university was full of emotions; Anxiety about whether to accept me, but also anticipation, because I knew that a unique journey was about to begin. When the final answer came and I was officially informed that I had been accepted, my joy was indescribable and preparations immediately began: Home, tickets and all the essentials.

In September it was time to take my first steps out of my comfort zone. The questions were many: Will I be able to do it? Am I going to make new friends or am I going to be alone? All this was answered in just one week, during which I managed to adapt to a new, foreign environment and establish relationships with people who would accompany me not only in the six months of my studies, but also throughout my life.

I could not imagine that every week I would discover something new. Kitchens in the hearths became our favourite spot, as there we knew each other's culture, not only through conversations but also through cooking. I travelled with people who at first were unknown, but in the end became the closest people to me.

At the same time, my contact with different teaching approaches opened my horizons and made me see my education in a completely different way. This academic experience has been an important personal and spiritual development for me.

The most difficult parts of this experience were two. The first was nostalgia, especially as the Christmas holidays approached, when I felt more strongly the distance from my family. There were times when I missed them a lot, but my new friends were always there to support me. The second and most difficult was goodbye: Farewell to the people who became my family in these six months, in my room and in the country where I created so many memories.

Looking back at all these moments, if anyone asks me today if it was worth it, my answer is clear: 100%. I would not change anything, neither the difficult days nor the easy days, because it is a unique experience, which I believe is worth living at least once in your life.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/03/2026

It all started with youthful ambition and a desire to discover the world. Together with two friends from high school, we dreamed of studying abroad one day. Before taking such a big step, however, we wanted to prepare ourselves properly. That was how the idea of doing an international volunteering project while still in secondary school was born. One of us came across AIESEC, which offered opportunities to volunteer in some of the most exotic corners of the world. In the end, each of us ended up somewhere different - one friend went to Albania, another to Brazil, and I landed in Indonesia.

In my case, the volunteering project took place during the first weeks of the school year. It began in early August and lasted six weeks, so I returned to Poland in the second half of September. Fortunately, my school administration had no problem with that. I originally wanted to teach mathematics or physics, and during the summer the only projects of that kind available were in Indonesia. However, when I arrived, I learned that the school where I was supposed to teach had withdrawn from cooperation with the host organization. Luckily, they quickly found me another role - teaching English at a private language school. Looking back, I think it worked out for the best, because it turned out to be an incredibly enriching experience.

Volunteering there felt a bit like being thrown in at the deep end. I had never travelled outside Europe before, and suddenly I found myself in a country where almost everything was different - the culture, religion, everyday customs, food, and even attitudes toward time. In such a situation, you are forced to rethink all your habits and assumptions, because you quickly realize that many things function according to completely different rules. This even applied to such basic matters as using the bathroom. In Indonesia, as in many Southeast Asian countries, squat toilets are far more common. Often there is no toilet paper or running water either, so people use water from a nearby barrel or bucket for flushing and washing. Still, you can get used to anything.

I truly believe I would not be the person I am today if it were not for Indonesia. I learned so much about myself there, and to this day I see personal growth and experiences like this as the best investment in life. The trip not only gave me more confidence and strengthened my sense of agency, but also made me more attentive to other people and inspired me to become involved in many new activities. After returning home, I joined the local branch of AIESEC, where one of my responsibilities was making sure that international volunteers felt as welcome and comfortable as possible. I felt a strong need to give something back for all the kindness I had once received myself.

Szymon’s story comes from an interview published in the book Międzynarodowy Wolontariat Młodzieży. You can read the full version of the text here.

Updated on Friday, 15/05/2026

Volunteering has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Even in primary school, I used to take part in fundraising events for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. I also often volunteered at various festivals and theatre events. When, during my first year at university, a friend told me about the opportunity to participate in international volunteering, I immediately knew it was something for me. Every trip like this is not only a great chance to learn new things and meet interesting people, but also an exciting adventure.

I took part in a three-week workcamp organized at the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum, located on the grounds of a former concentration camp, because the project’s subject matter was closely connected to my academic interests. At that time, I had just completed my second year of studies and was considering topics for my bachelor’s thesis. Among other things, I was interested in issues related to German neo-Nazism. I wanted to understand how this topic is perceived in different German social environments. Volunteering in such a place seemed like a valuable opportunity to find some answers.

It was an incredibly enriching experience, mainly because of the vast amount of knowledge I gained and the opportunity to exchange views both with the staff of the Sachsenhausen Memorial and with volunteers from other countries. I love talking about politics and I always take every chance to learn more about the world beyond what reaches me through the media on a daily basis. Discussions with the museum staff gave me a new and fascinating perspective on the popularity of neo-Nazi attitudes in Germany and helped me better understand what is currently happening there. All of this proved very useful while writing my bachelor’s thesis. I also hope that the experiences I gained through volunteering projects will help me pursue my future professional goals, including working in an international environment - for example at the European Commission.

I believe that participating in projects like these is an excellent opportunity to broaden one’s horizons and meet incredibly interesting people and places. In today’s world, we can see growing radicalization in political and social views, which personally worries me. Maybe I am an idealist, but I truly believe that initiatives such as international volunteering projects teach us to understand one another a little better and respect different perspectives. It is intercultural integration at its very best. Taking part in international volunteering is also an excellent lesson in independence and navigating efficiently within an international environment.

Aleksandra’s story comes from an interview published in the book Międzynarodowy Wolontariat Młodzieży. You can read the full version of the text here.

Updated on Friday, 15/05/2026

I had dreamed of going on a mission trip since I was thirteen years old. I remember reading the blogs of volunteers from the Salezjański Wolontariat Misyjny and imagining that one day I would be among them. I chose Kraków as my university city partly because one of the organization’s branches is based there. I became involved in the activities of the Volunteer Mission several years ago. It was a very enriching time, full of meaningful experiences and inspiring conversations with people returning from their missions. All of this encouraged me even more to go abroad myself.

During my volunteering project, my role was to help the sisters care for the children. Around thirty children between the ages of four and eighteen lived in the hogar - that’s what we called our home - both boys and girls. Every day, I walked them to school or kindergarten, helped them with homework, and accompanied them in various activities. These were children facing very difficult life situations - some were partially orphaned, while others came from families struggling with poverty, violence, drug abuse, or prostitution. At the hogar, they had safe living conditions, but what they needed most was our presence, individual attention, and even the smallest amount of tenderness. The children loved hugging us and spending time with us.

It was a difficult, yet beautiful experience that somehow made me more human. Before I became involved in volunteering, I had somewhat idealized missionary work. I imagined a volunteer as a kind of hero who travels to the other side of the world and sacrifices themselves for others. But volunteering - both in Poland and in Bolivia - helped me see missions as something very ordinary. I realized that the most important thing on a mission is simply to be there -to offer your presence, but also to accept someone else’s presence in your own life, in a spirit of mutual exchange. I feel that I received so much from those children. What surprised me most was that despite their difficult past, they gave me an incredible amount of unconditional love and trust. Through their simple and tender gestures, words, and looks, I experienced just how deeply God loves me.

Edyta’s story comes from an interview published in the book Międzynarodowy Wolontariat Młodzieży. You can read the full version of the text here.

Updated on Friday, 15/05/2026

In Ukraine, I worked as an IT teacher at a secondary school, so once the school year ended, I had a long summer break ahead of me. I was looking for ideas on how to spend that time in a meaningful way. One day, I came across a short-term volunteering opportunity on Facebook organized by the Poznań-based association Stowarzyszenie Jeden Świat. I applied and was accepted. However, when I left for Poland, I had no idea that it would become my second home, and that a workcamp would mark the beginning of a much longer volunteering journey.

My first trip was an amazing experience, and it made me want more. Together with volunteers from different parts of the world, I spent two weeks at the Monar center in Gaudynki. Right after I returned, the association offered me a place in another workcamp - and I did not hesitate for a second. A week later, I was already on my way to Podlodówek near Lublin, where I volunteered for ten days at the Educational Center of Permaculture Gardens. The day after coming back from Podlodówek, I left again - this time for two weeks at the Monar center in Wyszków, near Warsaw. It turned out that through Stowarzyszenie Jeden Świat I could also take part in a year-long volunteering project under the European Solidarity Corps. I thought such an opportunity might never come again, so I decided to take it.

I met so many interesting and inspiring people. The oldest volunteer was fifty-seven years old and had already completed more than thirty workcamps! These kinds of projects are a fantastic opportunity for genuine intercultural exchange. I worked alongside volunteers from Korea, Vietnam, Pakistan, Mexico, Turkey, Armenia, Hungary, Belgium, Spain, and many other countries. I had probably never had so many fascinating conversations or learned so much about the world as I did during those workcamps. In many places, I felt like I was being treated as a member of the family. Sometimes language was a barrier, because some of the Monar residents did not speak English. Still, it was never an obstacle we could not overcome. We always found a way to communicate - even through gestures if necessary. Even if volunteers and local people were initially distant or distrustful toward one another, by the end of the workcamp everyone would hug each other and cry while saying goodbye.

Maria’s story comes from an interview published in the book Międzynarodowy Wolontariat Młodzieży. You can read the full version of the text here.

Updated on Friday, 15/05/2026

My journey with Erasmus+ trainings and programs began quite a long time ago, but in the spring of 2025, I experienced something completely new for the first time - becoming a European Solidarity Corps volunteer.

Together with my partner, I spent a month in Greece, in one of the tiniest villages imaginable. Whenever I told people I was volunteering in Greece, they pictured sunny beaches, endless summer, and cocktails by the sea. The reality, however, was very different - and even more magical.

We lived in the mountains, in a small village near the largest lake in Greece. Our days were filled with meaningful work: tending the organization’s garden, learning from locals, and building genuine connections within the community. Living so close to nature taught us how to slow down, observe, and be more mindful of our surroundings - from how food is grown to how resources are shared and reused. Instead of cocktails, we enjoyed homemade goat-milk ice cream, and instead of tourist attractions, we experienced real village life. We also helped local families with small tasks around their homesteads and built garden boxes for a kindergarten in a nearby town.

Sustainability was not just a topic we discussed - it was something we practiced every day. Through simple routines like composting, working with local materials, and respecting the natural rhythm of the land, we learned how small, conscious choices can have a meaningful impact. These experiences taught us a lot about responsibility toward a community and the environment, no matter how small or remote it may be.

Without our host organisation, we would never have discovered the true Greek countryside or felt such a strong sense of belonging. We didn’t just visit a place - we became part of it. Challenges were met with smiles and quickly turned into lessons that we still reflect on and share with each other today.

At times, we even wondered whether we were “too old” for this experience (we were 27!), but it quickly became clear that age didn’t matter at all. In fact, the skills we had gained through previous experiences allowed us to contribute more meaningfully, while also learning deeply about sustainability, community engagement, and building friendships with people from completely different realities.

I am incredibly grateful for this experience and would gladly repeat it. Volunteering gives and teaches so much that it’s hard to put into words. In such a short time, I felt myself learn, grow, and reconnect with nature, community, and what truly matters.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

I’d always been interested in human topics and perspectives, and also in helping others, thats why I studied psychology.

I made a gap in Canary Islands year during my bachelor and that changed my live and perspective. After that I discovered that what I want to learn from people is not only in the books.

I want to make connections, discover world through the people living there. 

Thats why, after finishing my bachelor, I decided to unite my passion about human learning and my desire of help by volunteering here in Lithuania.

Now I´m in Lithuania for 4 months and I can say that volunteering is a whole experience that challenge you in ways you was not even expecting: you can doubt about your purpose, about your path and, sometimes, even about yourself. 

But that is the most interesting part of this trip. Through volunteering you don’t only get into know others, you get into know yourself. 

Of course you can do this in so many ways, this is not the only option. But, volunteering abroad push you to do that. Going out of your country, your social net and your regular rhythms push you to rethink about what you are doing, what you are thinking and, in the end, push you to meet with a deeper version of yourself.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

This year, I took part in an Erasmus+ youth exchange in Tallinn, Estonia. The project brought together young people from different countries, creating a diverse and supportive environment for learning and collaboration. Taking part in this exchange helped me build more self-confidence and step outside my comfort zone.

Throughout the exchange, I had the chance to meet many new people and make friends from different cultural backgrounds. By working and living together, we shared experiences, ideas, and perspectives, which helped me better understand other cultures and ways of thinking.

The project activities were based on creativity, teamwork, and active participation. We took part in workshops, group work, and creative tasks that allowed everyone to use their skills and express themselves. These creative processes were reflected in the final outcomes of the project, which showed the effort and cooperation of the whole group.

Overall, the Erasmus+ youth exchange was a meaningful experience that contributed to my personal growth, improved my communication skills, and motivated me to take part in similar international projects in the future.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

My name is Maksim, and I’m from Visaginas, Lithuania. Throughout my life, I’ve had the privilege of participating in numerous Erasmus+ youth exchanges, which opened the door for me to travel across Europe, to countries like France, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, and beyond. These experiences did more than show me new places; they introduced me to diverse cultures and helped me develop skills that have become essential in both my personal and professional life.

However, what truly shaped who I am today, and ignited my passion for activism, were Erasmus+ youth participation projects. As a member of the youth council in my hometown, we often struggled to turn ideas into action due to a lack of resources. Even organizing the smallest initiative felt like an uphill battle.

Everything changed when we secured funding for a youth participation project. Over the course of a year, our youth council was able to significantly strengthen youth advocacy in Visaginas. We organized a youth empowerment conference, held meetings with local officials, conducted youth-needs research within the municipality, and even hosted a symbolic sleepover inside the local municipality building.

All of these initiatives became possible thanks to the Erasmus+ program, not only by providing financial support, but by giving young people the tools, confidence, and legitimacy to actively shape their communities.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026