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 Tuesday, 17/02/2026

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 Tuesday, 17/02/2026

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 Tuesday, 17/02/2026

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 Tuesday, 17/02/2026

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 Tuesday, 17/02/2026

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 Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Coming from a small town in eastern Croatia, Vukovar, I never imagined that my worldview would one day stretch far beyond the familiar streets I grew up on. Only later did I realize that Erasmus+ programs were the turning points that shaped me—not just as a student, but as a person. As I often say now, “The world is small, but the Erasmus world is even smaller.” It truly connects people in ways you never expect.

My first exchange with students from Paris opened my eyes in ways I never anticipated. At first, I thought it was just a school project, but it quickly became much more. Through sharing our daily lives, traditions, and perspectives, I learned how unique each culture is. By hosting them in my home, and later living with their families in Paris, I saw how deep and genuine friendships can grow when you open your world to someone else. Paris didn’t feel like the “City of Love”—it felt like a second home.

Even more transformative was the Back to Basics project in the Netherlands. Staying in Orvelte, surrounded by nature and young people from all over Europe, taught me openness, communication, and the courage to step outside my comfort zone. The five-day biking trip without phones changed the way I see myself and others. Without technology, we were fully present—sharing food, finding places to sleep, talking to locals, supporting each other on the road. Our actions spoke louder than words.

During those days, I discovered that I am stronger and more adaptable than I believed. Strangers became friends, challenges became lessons, and I learned to trust both myself and the people around me. These simple but meaningful experiences showed me that real connection is built not through perfect circumstances, but through shared effort and understanding.

Today, I know that Erasmus+ was not just a series of trips. It was a defining part of my growth. It expanded my horizons, strengthened my confidence, and taught me not to fear the unknown. It showed me that the greatest discoveries happen when we step outside our comfort zones. Because of these experiences, I now embrace every chance to travel, meet new people, and explore—not because I have to, but because it makes me feel alive.

I learned that the world is much bigger, kinder, and more open than I once thought. And I also learned that the biggest changes happen within us. That is why I am deeply grateful for every person, every journey, and every challenge that shaped me through Erasmus+. They helped create the version of myself who is no longer afraid to grow. 
 

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

I am originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina and gained valuable volunteering experience at the youth organization Info zona in Split, Croatia. My role focused on youth empowerment and project support. Specifically, I was part of the team for informing and mentoring young individuals, providing support before and during their activities and helping them successfully realize their ideas. I actively promoted opportunities for personal development and encouraged active citizenship, while having the opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills as well.

European Solidarity Corps teaches you how to live together and to respect people from different cultures and ways of life. It’s priceless to have friends from all around the world. Every ESC volunteer has their own life story and experiences that teach you to adapt and accept things that you would never have embraced outside the ESC program. On youth programs you meet friends for life; with them you create lasting memories and enjoy your youth - because sometimes we don’t get a second chance, so I seize every opportunity and project where I can express myself and show that I’m a productive young person.

As much as I care for myself, I also want to care for others in the community where I volunteer. It is a pleasure for me to be a volunteer among young people and help them create things that are important and meaningful to them. Social work is very valuable when viewed from the perspective of volunteering, because through it we build knowledge and skills needed by people of all ages. I am glad that I have the opportunity, through social work and what it brings, to pass that on to the youth.

I’m happy that I will return to Bosnia and Herzegovina carrying with me a wonderful volunteering experience from Split, remembering all the beautiful memories - nights out, hanging out, travel, beaches and partying, and everything that comes with young adulthood -  and I will never regret that I went volunteering for a moment.
 

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Now that time has passed and daily life has returned to its fast pace, my mind often travels back to the tranquility of Teruel. My participation in the SPROUT project was not just another trip; it was a pause in time, in a place that feels like it belongs to another era.  

In tiny Obón with its just 32 inhabitants, hidden among imposing canyons and cliffs, I felt once again what true connection means. Not the Wi-Fi kind, but the connection with the earth and the people. I still remember the feeling on my hands from the vegetable dye workshops and the tiredness that turned into joy after every hike on the local trails. There, learning about sustainability and rural entrepreneurship, we realized that life can bloom even in the most unexpected places.  

What I miss most, however, are the moments at the "La Marisica" hostel. I miss those evenings when a group of strangers from 7 different countries, without necessarily speaking the same language, became a real family around a table. We shared flavors, music, and dreams, creating memories that no photograph can fully capture.  

And if all this now seems like a sweet dream, perhaps it is no coincidence. The Greek organization that supported me on this journey is called Dream Team – and indeed, they lived up to their name perfectly. They made sure this experience was as magical as a dream, with the only difference being that I was lucky enough to live it with my eyes wide open.

SPROUT has ended, but a piece of myself remained there, in that small village in Spain, reminding me that the most powerful experiences fit into the simplest moments.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

From September 2024 to June 2025, I was an assistant teacher at Michaël Steiner School in Turnhout (Belgium) thanks to the European Solidarity Corps in collaboration with JINT and AFS France & Belgium. 

A new start after years of struggle

When I decided to join the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), I was standing at a turning point in my life. For three years, I had been seriously ill. I spent nearly a full year in the hospital, partially lost my mobility, dropped out of college and lived with daily medical care. My sickness was deeply connected to mental health issues: depression, anxiety, emotional instability and eating disorders. I was on strong medication, had the status of “disabled worker”, and my doctor even started mentioning a group home for mentally disabled adults.

I didn’t know whether this European Solidarity Corps experience would finally help me move forward or break me even more. But I chose to take the risk. And I am grateful every day that I did.

Healing without even realising it

The most unexpected result of my ESC experience in Belgium is also the most visible: I lost 25 kilos in ten months, without dieting, exercising intensely or following any strict plan. It happened naturally; through less stress, more joy, and the excitement of discovering a new country, new friends and what I now call my “heart family”.

My body slowly found its balance again. Today, I take care of myself with nourishing food, regular movement, good sleep and rest when I need it. I am learning to fall in love with my body again.

Rediscovering my mental health

ESC didn’t just help my physical health; it transformed my mind. Little by little, my symptoms faded. I reduced my medication drastically and now only take one small pill in the morning, which I am slowly phasing out. Soon, I will be completely free of treatment.

I no longer live in fear, anxiety or the chaos of eating disorders and insomnia. Of course, some days are sadder than others, but no longer in a pathological way. I succeeded.

Living again, truly living

Today, I live on my own in Brussels, in a shared house with other international students. We speak every language imaginable. There are no nurses, no doctors. Just me and friends, living the ordinary life of a young person. My room is clean, bright and spacious, just like my mind feels now.

If I had to summarise everything ESC brought me, it would be this:
Mens sana in corpore sano (meaning: a healthy mind in a healthy body)

Finding peace in my future as a teacher

ESC didn’t just help me heal. It helped me find peace, especially with my professional aspirations. I always knew I wanted to become a teacher, but I was terrified I wouldn’t be good enough. My ESC project as an assistant teacher changed everything. The teacher sometimes let me take care of the class when she needed a break, and it wasn’t chaos at all. It was the opposite: the children were attentive, and I felt fulfilled and confident.

I realised I belonged in this environment of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. That’s why I decided to study for a master's in “Teaching French as a Foreign Language” at ULB. With this diploma, I can teach anywhere in the world. I dream of working in the countries my ESC friends come from, to discover their school systems and learn what I want to adapt into my own teaching practice.

After just one year abroad, I suddenly have a plan for the next decade of my life. I no longer feel like I’m running in circles, afraid of missing out on what I could become.

Reconnecting with my French and European identity

ESC also helped me find peace with my identity. Ironically, I never felt more French than when I lived outside of France. I always wished I had another nationality, another language, or a bicultural background. But meeting friends from all over Europe through ESC training made me want to know more about France. Even the things I previously thought were insignificant. I started defining myself more and more through their eyes, because they saw qualities in me that I had never noticed. This experience made me feel whole.

It was also the first time I felt truly glad to be European. I had the chance to live this enriching experience for free, and to understand myself and my neighbours better than ever. I realised subtleties I would never have noticed otherwise.

One example happened during an ESC training game. Someone joked to a team with many German participants: “Don’t raise your right hand too high!” Nobody laughed, but the Germans responded that they never raise their right hand because of the history linked to it. It made me understand the weight this must carry in daily life, even in a simple gesture.

On a lighter note, we taught each other dances, songs and words in languages some of us had never heard before. I even saw the Georgian alphabet for the first time; I had simply never thought about what it could look like.

ESC opened my mind and my heart to what it means to be European. Today, I feel glad and proud of my cultural identity. I want to celebrate it and let it flourish.

In varietate concordia (meaning: unity in diversity).

My language skills

My personal project played a huge role in shaping my new life. First of all, I improved my language skills. Before coming to Belgium, I didn’t speak English. I could understand my Netflix series, but I never had the chance to speak English with anyone. ESC changed that: for the first time, I had real conversations in English. At the beginning, my accent was very Frenchy, but with time I started speaking more naturally.

I also added Dutch to my CV. I learned it on my own and loved being able to understand children and teachers. It was a stimulating challenge. I am far from bilingual, because what I enjoyed most was learning a language from zero. I prefer the journey to the destination. Now I want to keep learning languages. Why not Danish, Finnish or even Arabic? I am grateful to have rediscovered how a language works and how it can be learned. I genuinely believe many French people would benefit from falling in love with languages again.

Discovering the Steiner school philosophy

My European Solidarity Corps project took place in a Steiner school: a non-traditional system with a very calm and cosy atmosphere. The classrooms looked more like a grandmother’s cabin than a typical school. I felt so comfortable there, and I kept some of their customs: I like lighting a candle when I eat, even when I’m alone. I enjoy putting fresh or dried flowers in the centre of the table. I appreciate warm lighting in my room. I try to avoid plastic and shop second-hand whenever possible. I truly became a “natural nerd”!

Most importantly, I learned to slow down. That is the biggest difference between Steiner and traditional schools: the rhythm. Everything is calm, smooth, and slow. Sometimes that was upsetting, even for me. I wanted to go faster because I knew we could. But when I finally accepted the slower pace, I found peace again. I felt complete, and I kept habits that changed me for the better.

Sharing what I learned

In the summer of 2025, I worked as a group leader for holidays with mentally disabled adults. During a warm afternoon, I offered them a Steiner-style “aquarelle” activity I had learned during my volunteering. They were all so happy with their paintings.

I also learned practical skills, like how to make a fire: surprisingly useful!
And because I always loved giving presents, I now enjoy preparing them beautifully. It is a small but meaningful gesture. I even bring little flags for every celebration. The photo with my grandparents was taken for their 60th anniversary, and they loved it.

A final thank you

I cannot thank the Steiner Michael School, ESC, JINT and AFS France & Belgium enough for allowing me to be part of this unforgettable adventure. I truly recommend that any young European take this opportunity that the European Union gives us. Even if it is not as life-changing as it was for me, I believe it builds confidence, creates incredible memories and helps you get to know yourself. It also makes European youth stronger and wiser, and we all know we need wise youth today.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026