Hi, my name is Victoria. I am 20 years old and currently taking a gap year.

During my first gap year, I worked as a volunteer through the ESC programme for a full year. I joined five different projects in four different countries, and it truly became the best year of my life.

I was inspired to do this by a close friend who had completed a similar project the year before me. He spent 10 months in Spain, but I wanted something different. I wanted to see more of the world, experience a variety of cultures, and try different types of projects. Because of that, most of my projects were short-term, except one that lasted four months.

I first left home with the idea that I wanted to work with animals. So I went to Slovenia for two and a half months to work with horses. I loved this experience so much that, when I returned home, I realised I still wasn’t done. I then travelled to Bulgaria for four months to work with event organisation for local young people. After that, I spent one month in France working at a castle with construction and archaeology. From May to June, I worked with the Ljubljana Pride Festival, and my final project was in Croatia over the summer, where I worked at a summer school for children.

It is actually very difficult to describe briefly what these projects gave me, both personally and professionally. I was able to experience other cultures and gain a much broader understanding of life outside my own bubble, which was both amazing and educational. It was also a huge step outside my comfort zone. I had to communicate in English every day, and often with body language, because not everyone speaks the language. It showed me how much communication is possible despite language barriers, and it opened many doors for me.

I also had to learn how to live and work with people from all over Europe, with different backgrounds and personalities. This gave me the chance to try so many things I never even knew existed: from new hobbies and languages to food, traditions and ways of travelling.

In my free time, I did all sorts of activities with the friends I met through the projects. In Bulgaria we were very active – we trained together, went running, and did other sports. In Croatia, we became obsessed with café trips and playing card games. And in France, I learned a huge variety of card and board games.

For me, this was the best year of my life, and I strongly encourage my friends and everyone I meet to do the same. You gain so much personal growth, you meet wonderful people who share your interests from all over the world, and you get an unforgettable experience overall. It can be scary to leave, but once you take the step, you will not regret it – I can guarantee that.

As I am writing this, I am actually on my way to Poland to meet some friends I met during my project in Croatia five months ago. They now hold a very special place in my heart, and I am incredibly excited to see them again.

— Victoria

Updated on Thursday, 18/12/2025

My journey with Erasmus began almost six years ago when I participated in a youth exchange in France. After that first project, I took a brief break but later found another youth exchange thanks to a friend, this time in Hungary. Clearly, I enjoyed it, because over the next two years, I joined four projects with the same organization—two youth exchanges and two training courses. During this time, I also learned about the European Solidarity Corps and the incredible opportunities it offers, which I hadn’t known about before. I had the chance to meet several volunteers and hear their inspiring stories.

That’s when the idea of volunteering started to take root. It wasn’t an easy decision, though, it took me a couple of years to finally commit. The thought of leaving my home, family, and friends for a whole year was daunting, but I knew that I would exchange it for an amazing and once in a lifetime experience. 

I eventually chose to do long-term volunteering with Európa Ifjúsága Egyesület in Hungary. Now, more than five months into the program, I couldn’t be happier. The organization hosts nine volunteers each year, divided into three groups, so we get to do a lot of activities together, whether it's visiting schools to share our experiences, doing team-building activities or traveling to exciting new places in Hungary and abroad.

I mostly work with two other volunteers. Our main tasks include running a weekly English club for local primary school students, engaging with young people, and organizing events like Halloween parties and game nights at the youth house. We also share our cultures and promote Erasmus+ and ESC opportunities to high school students.

There have certainly been ups and downs throughout my volunteering journey, but the positive experiences far outweigh the challenges. I’ve met so many amazing people, made valuable connections, and had unforgettable experiences. Every day is a new adventure, and I’ve learned that stepping outside your comfort zone is where growth happens. Taking risks, embracing change, and pursuing opportunities, no matter how daunting they may seem, can lead to transformative experiences that shape who you are. I’m excited to see what the rest of my time here will bring, and I hope it inspires others to follow their passions and create their own life-changing stories.

Updated on Wednesday, 17/12/2025

I spent 5 months in Thessaloniki, Greece, with the support of the Youth for Participation Association, and you can read about my experiences below.

What made the experience truly special was the people. I had the chance to work with volunteers from all over Europe, each bringing their unique perspectives and energy. Together, we worked on projects that mattered, learned from one another, and formed friendships that I know will last long after the project ended. It was amazing to see how people from different backgrounds could unite for a common purpose.

Of course, living in a new country came with its share of culture shocks. One of the first things I noticed was the relaxed approach to time. At first, it was frustrating when things didn’t go according to schedule, but I gradually learned to embrace this slower pace of life. It taught me to be patient, to live in the moment, and to appreciate the journey rather than rushing to the destination. Another surprise was the incredible hospitality. Locals would often invite us for meals, sharing delicious homemade dishes. These moments of connection and conversations made me feel at home, even though I was far from it. 

Beyond the cultural differences, this experience pushed me to become more adaptable and open-minded. Working on community projects wasn’t always easy—there were challenges to overcome, from language barriers to unexpected changes—but these obstacles only made the experience more rewarding. I learned resilience, teamwork, and how to find creative solutions.

For anyone considering volunteering abroad, I wholeheartedly encourage you to go for it. Greece offers more than just stunning scenery and delicious cuisine, it offers an opportunity to grow, connect, and contribute. Volunteering through ESC will not only allow you to make a difference but also to discover new sides of yourself. It’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone, gain new perspectives, and create unforgettable memories.

Updated on Wednesday, 17/12/2025

When I was in secondary school, I heard a lot of people talk about Interrailing the summer after graduation. But at the time, I was saving up for a work and travel trip to New Zealand, so I couldn’t do that as well. A friend of mine was lucky enough to win the DiscoverEU Pass, which you can apply for when you turn 18. When I asked her about her experience, these were the memories she shared:

“When I won the DiscoverEU Pass I was super shocked and surprised, because that year so many of my friends who went into the competition also won. So, I was thinking that statistically I wouldn’t win, but in the end I did. I went from Nancy to Lisbon, passing through Paris and the north of Spain. I also went to the south of France after and then I came back up to Nancy. I actually travelled on my own because I was meeting my family in the south of France, and a friend to go to Nice and Marseille. So technically I was travelling alone, but I remember when I arrived in Lisbon I met these other girls who had won the ticket, so we spent a few days together. We did walking tours and we went out, so it was super fun.”

Like my friend, many young people make wonderful memories, have great first-time experiences and meet amazing people along the way.
As for me, I thought my chances to go Interrailing had passed, because it seemed to be a trip people only did right out of secondary school. But luckily I learned that I was wrong. So, during my winter break in my second year of college, I decided to take the month to do Interrail. It was chaotic and didn’t turn out the way I had planned, but it was an exciting experience overall.

Instead of my planned route to travel from Germany to Hungary, I spent some time in Austria and made a trip to Poland, because the friend I had planned to see in Hungary got Covid. It was January 2022, when Covid was still a thing and FFP2 masks were your companion. This was my first trip around Europe, and I have since gone twice more. Each time, I have used the Interrail pass to visit friends and family in different cities and was fortunate enough to save a lot of money on accommodation. I have come to appreciate the Interrail pass as the perfect way to travel flexibly, on a low budget, and with the chance to visit friends across Europe.

A lot of people have the illusion that the Interrail pass is only for young people or people who are European. But that isn’t the case. As long as you live in Europe, you can get as many Interrail passes as you want. And if you’re lucky, you can find really good deals and save even more money. If you think about it, you can see three countries in one day if you wish or go for a coffee across the border. I once took the train from Copenhagen to Malmo to spend an afternoon in Sweden, only to then take the night train the same day to travel to the Netherlands. You can even get a special Interrail pass to travel to your Erasmus destination or for your trip to your European Solidarity Corps project. Interrail offers endless possibilities.
And if you miss a connection, you just wait for the next one.

Updated on Thursday, 18/12/2025

I am co-founder of the Dutch Sikh Association, which was created to contribute to society, inspired by the core values of the Sikh faith. We wanted to create a platform where we could both express our identity and offer practical help to others. Through the foundation, I set up a Solidarity Project with four other young people, in which we cook weekly meals for homeless people in The Hague. We do with young people from different backgrounds.

My inspiration for setting up this project comes from the concept of “langar” within the Sikh faith: the tradition of offering free meals to everyone, regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status or ethnicity, in the communal kitchen of a place of worship. This really ensures equality. The first Guru of the Sikh faith said that we should always think of others. In the Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple in India, hundreds of thousands of meals are prepared every day, 24/7, by volunteers. We want to implement that concept here in our own way.

The grant from the European Solidarity Corps gave us the resources to further professionalize our volunteer work. We had previously provided meals to homeless people, but now we were able to work structurally and with a permanent team. This has increased our impact. We also received excellent guidance from the organisation. 

The Solidarity Project not only helps the homeless, it is also a valuable experience for young people. They see that their time can be put to good use when they help others, and that is rewarding.

Would I recommend others to start a Solidarity Project? Absolutely! Money is not the most important thing, but it does make life easier. With this grant you have the opportunity to make more of an impact.

Updated on Monday, 15/12/2025

After studying in Germany and online in Ireland, I temporarily returned to the Netherlands during the coronavirus pandemic. The job market was tough and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I heard about volunteering through the European Solidarity Corps and thought: yes, this is exactly what I need right now.

My project was in a village that was burned to the ground by the Nazis during the Second World War. They were looking for someone with a background in history who also spoke German. I studied history and international relations, so it was perfect.

I worked for the village's cultural organisation for a year. My tasks were very varied: I categorised books in the library, digitised photos in the museum, worked on a new village website and organised cultural events. I also helped out at religious festivals and the primary school. 

Although I didn't speak a word of Greek when I arrived, that changed quickly. Because almost no one spoke English or German, I had to. I often went to drink coffee with people  in the village. That's how I learned the language. And I also learned Greek dances and about the food, just by participating.

The experience opened my eyes to cultural differences within Europe. Even after my project, I remained involved with the village. I go back every year and I'm still in touch with my friends from the village.

Why volunteer through the European Solidarity Corps? You get to do something you would never experience as a tourist or student. And the great thing is that it's really well organised — you don't have to pay for it, you get guidance and it's accessible to everyone. I felt like I was really contributing something.

Updated on Monday, 15/12/2025

Short presentation of me 

I was 20 years old when I was on a project in Krakow for 5 months in 2020. I found out about the possibility to travel and be a volunteer with ESC when I was in high school. But I never thought it would ever be possible for me. Then the opportunity arose after high school before I continued to study at university. After volunteering and returning home I began at university college and now work as a nurse. 

Why did I choose to become a volunteer /why ESC? 

Since i was a teenager I´ve always had an interest in volunteer work. I also wanted to experience the world and learn more about other cultures. I researched on the internet and found ESC when I was in high school. ESC seemed like a fantastic configuration of what I was looking for: to travel, volunteering, meet other people and learn about cultures, it did not require a big savings account to be able to participate, the projects' length was more often months and not weeks that they lasted. So when the stars aligned I seized the opportunity and applied to volunteer at an ESC project. 

How did you live, what did you work with, what did you do in your spare time? 

Before being able to go abroad to the project it required some preparation and coordination between my Danish sending organisation, the Polish host organisation and the Polish school where the actual project was. During my entire experience I felt in safe hands, among other things because of the support from all the organisations. 

I lived in an apartment in the city of Krakow with other ESC volunteers. I was volunteering at a village school outside of Krakow where I took the bus together with the other project volunteers. In the school I was in the special needs classes in the morning and in the afternoon I was in the school's after-school care. The days varied in everything from being together and being creative with the children, being in the lessons, celebrating carnival and valentine’s day, excursion with the special needs classes from the school, workshops and so much more. My experience was that the more you engage and pitch in, the more you are able to have an influence on what you get from the project as a volunteer. 

We were several volunteers in Krakow on several different projects. It meant I met other young people from other countries and we had a community with each other. When we had free time and on the weekends we visited and hung out and explored Krakow and other parts of the country together. The community with the other volunteers was just as big part of my experiences and learning across cultures. Covid of course had an influence on my experience as an ESC volunteer and what was possible as the world shut down and reopened. Cultures meet, experiences, surprises, fun and challenges. Throughout my time in Poland I had many different experiences with culture and meeting different people. The language was a thing that both gave some challenges as well as fun experiences. I have several memories about how we had to be creative in how we communicated with each other, adults and children alike. During the project I learned a lot about other cultures, people, solidarity and society. Where I had several nice and fun conversations with both adults and children. These conversations opened up for interesting perspectives about a lot of different topics. 

What did the project give you? 

I have become more self-reliant and developed as a person. I have learned a lot about different cultures and met a lot of different people. All of that together has challenged and opened up for perspectives that I did not have before. With my own eyes I have seen how small things can have a big impact. To finish a project and return home required a bit of adjustment for me but also led to some fun moments for me and others. An example would be that I could not remember a word in Danish but I had no problem saying it in English or even perhaps in Polish. Covid of course affected my experiences and the project and that was also a challenge throughout the months and after my return to Denmark. Even several years later I still think about my time as a ESC volunteer, the people I met and the experiences I had, and what they taught me as a person.

Updated on Monday, 15/12/2025

From 7 to 11 February 2025, I took part in the “Caring Connections” training course for youth workers in Croatia (Youth Worker Mobility action - Erasmus+), organised by the Youth in the European Union association. 

The course focused on emotional intelligence.

The activity took place in Šibenik, a small coastal town with a nostalgic winter charm: everything was closed and silent, as if waiting for new life.

Our group was very diverse, consisting of social workers and teachers from North Macedonia, Turkey, Lithuania, Spain and Italy. During the training, we took part in games and non-formal educational activities that helped us explore the vast world of emotions. These activities highlighted the importance of not only knowing emotions, but also accepting them, including negative ones. This is a crucial aspect of working with young people, who often experience emotions intensely and immediately without the coping mechanisms that adults tend to use to analyse and contain them.

Exchanging ideas with the other participants also enabled us to reflect on our own emotions and their influence on our work and lives.
The welcoming and non-judgemental environment was fundamental in facilitating open discussion on such a personal and complex topic. The proximity to the sea added an extra dimension, accompanying us during some exercises on stress and anxiety management, making them even more meaningful.

Despite our age differences, we formed a strong bond as a group. We also enjoyed informal, fun moments together, discovering aspects of each other's cultures through traditional food, music and dance.

This experience once again confirmed how valuable international training and exchanges are. Not only do they provide us with useful tools for our work, they also give us life experiences and relationships that leave a lasting impression.

Updated on Thursday, 11/12/2025

There are many opportunities for young people. We often just don’t know what’s out there. 
Hi, I am Maria, a summer camp leader from Germany. 
When I was 9 years old, my mum signed me up for a summer camp run by our local church
and it has been my highlight every year since. Spending two weeks in the woods with a
bunch of young people and amazing summer camp leaders is an experience that is difficult
to put into words. The days are long but run by so fast. You get to enjoy nature, have a
phone detox, and learn new skills, like how to make a fire and how to carve soapstone. And
the excitement is at an all-time high, because there is always another surprise activity
waiting around the corner.
When I turned 18, the roles shifted and I became a summer camp leader myself. It is a very
exciting position to be in, because not only do you get to create fun activities and set up this
amazing holiday activity for young people, but you also learn so much about problem-
solving, event planning, youth work and the beauty of becoming a point of contact for all the
questions young people have but do not know who to address them to. For example, we
introduced boys’ and girls’ talks, and we discussed teenage slang and what it means to grow
up in these fast-changing times. 
I sometimes describe the time in the summer camp as an illusion or a bubble, because you
are so far away from your daily life and nothing seems more important than being in this
moment, with no fear over the future and the uncertainty of tomorrow. And when the summer
camp is over, you leave with a heavy heart, full of many new memories and friends and also
the sadness that you have to wait for another year to do it all over again.
I am so thankful that I get to experience this camp every year, and that I am able to spend
time in this bubble. I can only recommend joining a summer camp to young people and
becoming part of such a loving and joyful community.

Updated on Wednesday, 10/12/2025

Jani ja Spencer osallistuivat Sevillassa, Espanjassa 23.-26.9.2025 järjestettyyn Mental Health in Youth Work: The Inspirational Event -tapahtumaan, joka oli suunnattu eri maista tuleville nuorille ja nuorisotyöntekijöille. Tapahtumaan osallistuneet nuoret olivat aktiivisesti mukana myös tapahtuman järjestämisessä, sillä he suunnittelivat ja toteuttivat omia mielenterveysaiheisia työpajoja muille osallistujille. 

Tapahtumaan mukaan Jani ja Spencer päätyivät tuttujen nuorisotyöntekijöiden aloitteesta. Jani oli jo alkuun kiinnostunut osallistumaan, kun taas Spencerin piti ensin hetken aikaa miettiä asiaa. Lopulta hän kuitenkin tuli siihen tulokseen, että osallistuminen kuulosti hyvältä idealta. Kumpikaan nuorista ei oikein tiennyt etukäteen, mitä odottaa tapahtumalta, mutta molemmat tiesivät, että he tulisivat ainakin oppimaan jotain uutta – ja näin kävikin. 

Tapahtuman pääteema oli mielenterveys, ja yksi tapahtuman työpajoista käsittelikin julkisuuden henkilöitä sekä heidän kohtaamiaan mielenterveyden haasteita. Molemmat nuoret nostivat tämän työpajan esiin pohtiessaan, mitä uutta he oppivat tapahtumassa. Tieto siitä, että myös tunnetut julkisuuden henkilöt saattavat kamppailla mielenterveyden haasteiden parissa auttoi heitä ymmärtämään, että kukaan ei ole mielenterveyden haasteiden suhteen koskematon, vaan jokainen voi kohdata niitä elämässään. 

‒ He ovat kuten mekin, ja myös heillä on asioita, joiden parissa he kamppailevat, Spencer toteaa.

‒ Opin, että se ei oo vaan niinku mussa tai meissä, et ihan jollain Lewis Hamiltonillakin on ongelmii, Jani jatkaa.

Nuorten matkalta saamat opit eivät kuitenkaan jääneet vain mielenterveyteen liittyviin oivalluksiin. Vaikka kumpikaan nuorista ei ollut ensimmäistä kertaa toisessa maassa, saivat he matkan aikana lisää varmuutta myös matkustamiseen ja ulkomailla toimimiseen. Lisäksi reissu osoitti, että asiat usein järjestyvät, vaikka etukäteen olisikin epäilyksiä. 

‒ Opin millasta on olla itsenäisesti Espanjassa, koska Espanjassa kummiski tulee käytyy aika paljon, niin aika hyvä oppi silleen, sai semmosta varmuutta, Jani kuvailee.

‒ En pidä matkustamisesta, joten olin etukäteen melko ahdistunut ja pelkäsin eksyväni, mutta matkanteko sujui kuitenkin hyvin, Spencer muistelee. ‒ Sanoisin, että koko reissu oli miellyttävä.

Jani ja Spencer kokivat tapahtumaan osallistumisen vahvistaneen myös heidän itseluottamustaan ja tehneen heistä itsenäisempiä. Tämä näkyi esimerkiksi siten, että itsestä löytyi matkan aikana uusia puolia. Lisäksi reissu antoi itsevarmuutta siihen, että he pärjäävät vastaavissa tilanteissa jatkossakin.

‒ Olen hyvin sosiaalinen, mutta pystyin myös osallistumaan aktiviteetteihin yksinkin ilman että joku oli mukanani, mitä en ole tehnyt pitkään aikaan, enkä edes odottanut sitä itseltäni. Se oli kuin olisin ollut eri ihminen, mikä oli todella vapauttavaa, Spencer kertoo. ‒ Haluaisin mieluusti olla mukana vastaavassa tapahtumassa uudelleenkin.

‒ Se oli hyvä kokemus siihen, että tiiän että pärjään, Jani kiteyttää.

Teksti: Susanne Karppinen
Kuva: Karoliina Nissinen

Updated on Thursday, 11/12/2025