Hi, I am Elena, a 20-year-old girl from Serbia who cherishes a good trip more than anything! Last year, I got to live my dream when I won a DiscoverEU pass. From that point forward, everything happened so quickly – choosing countries, planning logistics and booking tickets in advance. The whole process felt like a dream, and how could it not? I had a perfect travel companion, a friend I met through the DiscoverEU Facebook group!

We both knew we wanted to embark on a two-week adventure and spend quality time in each country. Our first stop? The land of fire and ice – Iceland. Let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint at all! From the famous Golden Circle tour to visiting volcanic landscapes, petting Icelandic horses and tasting their traditional lamb soup, I left the country full of impressions. We even met some incredibly kind Serbs, who gave us a 20% discount at a supermarket on every purchase we made. What are the chances? The only downside was that we didn’t have a few more days to explore, but we had to continue our trip.  

Do you love stroopwafels? Well, there is no better place to enjoy them than in the Netherlands, which was next on our list. It taught us the art of slowing down. Amsterdam, Haarlem, Delft and Zaandam, with their beautiful canals and iconic windmills, really made us appreciate the opportunity to travel even more. We even managed to meet up with a friend from Budapest, who was on her solo DiscoverEU trip. My biggest takeaway? An ABBA vinyl I found at one of the many flea markets (perfect for a friend back home).

From there we continued to Belgium, a country famous for its waffles and chocolate. (Can you tell by now that we are obsessed with sweets?) We had an interesting few days and met a cute couple from Australia incined. We met them in a restaurant in Antwerp, where we shared a pizza and swapped stories. We also visited Bruges, a small medieval city that felt like stepping back in time with its charming little streets.

And then, the grand finale: Luxembourg. It exceeded our expectations in every way. We decided to join a meetup, where we made some amazing friendships that still last today. From our friend Anrii, who took the role of our local tour guide, to receiving insider tips on the best vacation spots in Italy, enjoying local craft beer and dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, I feel like this trip couldn’t have been any better.

As we boarded our final train back home, we couldn’t help but reflect on the experiences we had had. The chance to travel with DiscoverEU was like opening a box of assorted chocolates (you never knew what you’d get next) but it was always a delightful surprise. So, what’s next to look forward to? One thing’s for sure: the travel bug has bitten, and there’s no going back. I’ll be planning the next big trip, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll try to master the art of packing light. But let’s be honest, that last one might take a few more trips to figure out!

Updated on Wednesday, 27/11/2024

Greetings! Let me take a moment to introduce myself and share how my Erasmus+ experience has influenced my life and career. Currently, I am actively involved in the implementation of the Erasmus+ Programme in the Republic of Serbia, and I also work as the National Eurodesk Coordinator. How did I get to this point, you ask? Well, if you believe in luck, then we can call it just that.

As a philology student in my final year of undergraduate studies, I made the fearless decision to pursue a study abroad experience in Budapest by applying for the Erasmus+ Student Exchange programme. Uncertain of the outcome, I harboured dreams of experiencing student life in a foreign country. Coming from a non-EU nation, I desired to immerse myself in an educational system that diverged from the one in my home country. As the old saying goes, "If you believe in it, it will happen," and it did. I found myself studying in Budapest for a remarkable semester.

I had such an amazing experience that really opened my mind to different cultures and traditions from around the world. Plus, I gained some valuable skills like adaptability, communication, and independence. There were definitely moments when I felt a bit scared because everything was so new and overwhelming. But facing those fears and uncertainties took a lot of courage, resilience, and self-awareness.

During my time abroad, I had the pleasure of forming wonderful new friendships! There's something truly exhilarating about meeting people from different parts of the world – it adds an entirely new layer of excitement to your travels. Whether it's through an organised exchange programme or simply meeting people at social events, the connections you make can be truly impactful. From bonding over stories of our hometowns to immersing ourselves in the local culture, making new friends abroad was an incredibly fulfilling experience.

Over this time, I've had the chance to learn new skills and really strengthen my love for education. After teaching in a few different places, I'm now in a role where I get to listen to and share the stories and experiences of others. I highly recommend utilising resources like the Eurodesk Network to explore opportunities for young people!

Even though I'm not sure how long I'll be in this role, I do know that Erasmus' influence will always hold a special place in my heart!

Updated on Thursday, 13/11/2025

Everything started when I was on a project in Germany, it was my first youth exchange ever. One day during that project, I had a conversation with one participant from my country and he was explaining to me some things regarding ESC and how the whole thing with volunteer projects worked. After that conversation, I was so curious to find out more about those things and as soon as we came back to Serbia, I contacted my association and asked them if there was any possibility of doing a long-term volunteering project. At that very moment, an Italian association we met in Germany was looking for new volunteers. We got in touch and soon after that, everything was ready for me to start.

After 2 months, I went to Italy and I wasn’t expecting anything, everything was new and so odd, it seemed like a dream. The hardest thing at the beginning was getting used to the language, people and the environment itself. During this period, most of my time I spent learning new things and adapting. I was so shy and anxious because everything I was doing was something new for me – I’d never experienced something like that before –  but after some time I started to get used to everything. I became good at Italian, I found new friends and I integrated into the culture. From that very moment, I knew my project was going to be a nice experience.

We had many projects during my stay there in which I learnt a lot, but mostly I learnt about myself. I realized how small the world is and how important it is to gain new experiences. Even after so much time here, I am still flabbergasted sometimes. I often wonder how this is possible – I’m here in another country and I’m speaking another language every single day and experiencing so many new things. Sometimes it was hard to believe that. But after all, I knew that was so normal – being 22 and far away from your country and the things you got used to. When I was about to finish the project, it was so hard to leave that place. I knew that again I would have to leave everything I was used to and, in a way, change my life once again. But I also knew that step was important. Moving on is such a crucial part of our lives because, without that, life would be meaningless.

In the end, I can say that my long-term mobility has changed me a lot and everything I accomplished there will always be so important to me. That part of my life has been the best so far and I’ll never forget the experiences I had and the people I met. Every single thing will always stay in my heart and they will remind me about such a beautiful period of my life. One day I’ll go there again to find my friends, to find those people, and to get the feel of that life again.

Video: https://youtu.be/WFrnEywq0a0?feature=shared 

Updated on Wednesday, 27/11/2024

Hey there! If you're reading this, you're on the brink of an exciting adventure – an Erasmus+ project. This is not just a choice, it's a leap into a world of new experiences and opportunities. Get ready to turn your life upside down, in the best possible way!
This also happened to me, and I am willing to share my experience and encourage you to do the same. Trust me, this is worthwhile reading. 

I believe Erasmus+ was destined for me. I did not know what I was applying for and needed to learn the concept. I had heard of it before, but my knowledge could have been better. A few years later – I am an expert. A friend called me and told me she needed some help on a project in Belgrade. Someone dropped out, so she asked if I could join instead. "Yeah, why not!" It was summer, and I had finished my exams, so I was happy to help. Little did I know that was the day I started my Erasmus+ experience, which is still ongoing. After seven projects, I can say it was one of the best decisions ever. My traveling through Europe, meeting amazing people, and learning new words in different languages have started.

The knowledge you gain, the people you meet, and the stories you make are life-changing. Every day, you grow out of your comfort zone, out of your own skin. The personal growth and learning opportunities that an Erasmus+ project offers are truly inspiring and will motivate you to take this life-changing journey.

Erasmus+ is a journey, not only through the world but also through yourself. You break your boundaries, try so many new things, and learn, learn, and learn. You lose touch with the world momentarily, but you get in touch with yourself and strengthen that relationship. The self-discovery aspect of an Erasmus+ project will intrigue you and make you curious about the person you can become.
Are you hitched already? Check the photos attached for an even better experience.

Updated on Wednesday, 27/11/2024

The moment I came to Orahovica until the very end of the project, I had a feeling that time sped up. Even today, two years after the project, it feels like it lasted for months.

It’s difficult to put into words the experience of an Erasmus+ student exchange, sometimes they are crazier, sometimes more educational, but one thing is for certain – each exchange is unforgettable.

On a project, you can meet so many different people from each corner of Europe (and sometimes even the world) and from all kinds of backgrounds. It’s just baffling when you gather all those people who, at first sight, don’t have anything in common with each other, and they have to live in a mini-society for around a week.

On our project in Orahovica, Croatia, we had the opportunity not only to meet different cool people with whom we are still in contact to this day, but we also got the chance to learn so many practical and everyday skills (such as not getting lost in the forest, Ivan). 

I wasn’t at all expecting that I would be learning video editing at a project about populism, but I was delighted because, honestly, I would have never spontaneously picked up that skill.

Erasmus+ projects will always, intentionally or not, teach you useful life skills, especially the logistics of independent traveling. They merely give you an introduction to the essence of multiculturalism, where you will, on the same day, learn how to make a Spanish meal, perform a Romanian dance, and say a (usually not so nice) phrase in Lithuanian.

All in all, I truly recommend youth exchanges to each and every person who desires a fresh new adventure and wishes to expand their horizons, because they will always be a unique and different experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Updated on Tuesday, 07/10/2025

I had a 9-to-5 job, a home without rent, friends, nature—a good life. But something was missing...
After COVID hit, it became evident that traveling, as I knew it back then, would change. I felt trapped in my life, living the life of a grown-up, even though I was only 22. I no longer wanted that.
After some research, my attention turned to the ESC Project. Living abroad? Check! New adventures? Check! English in my daily life? Check! Not spending too much money? Check! Doing something ordinary? Hell no!
After being incredibly fortunate and being accepted into the first project I applied for, I packed my bags and moved to Denmark, Roskilde, for one year. There, I worked at Gimle, a cultural café where ESC volunteers could initiate their projects and also work behind the bar (which I was always passionate about). What I appreciated most about this project was the level of responsibility it offered. We were pretty much on our own, running the bar, clearing tables, and taking orders. We were essentially the bosses for the day. In addition to the typical café activities, we planned various fun events, basically whatever we felt like doing in our café-shaped living room. Dress-up parties, karaoke nights, Halloween parties, Language Café... The possibilities were endless, and we certainly took advantage of them.
My proudest achievement was starting up the karaoke night again after COVID. I learned the technical aspects, spread the word, and when the night came, I hosted it. It was a resounding success that continues to this day. It's incredibly satisfying to put effort into a project and see it turn out as expected. Of course, there were also projects that failed, where no one showed up or communication issues arose within the team. However, these experiences helped me in the long run with project management.
What I really appreciated about the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is how financially accessible it is. You receive some pocket money, don't need to pay rent, and even get some "points" at the café for meals and drinks (which was quite helpful in an expensive country like Denmark).
Aside from working at the café, we had plenty of free time. There were five ESC volunteers, including me, sharing an old farmhouse - a dream come true, right? It was close to the fjord, so we could swim every day in the summer, sit in our huge garden to play card games, and enjoy cozy evenings where we cooked together and watched movies. We became like a Danish family to each other.
In my opinion, a significant part of ESC is learning about and accepting new cultures and perspectives. When you live and work closely with people from all over Europe, you truly feel the differences, eventually overcoming them and learning to appreciate them.
I'm sure that if you're also considering going abroad, you'll encounter responses like "Don't you want to focus on your studies?" or "That's just a waste of time." But my advice is to let them talk. After spending time abroad, you'll be more educated and enriched than any job or study could ever make you.
In the grand scheme of our lives, what's six months, nine months, or even a year? Nothing. So, we should all strive to push out of our comfort zones and embrace new challenges while we're young!
With that being said, I wish you a fantastic time abroad! 😉

Updated on Tuesday, 26/11/2024

Youth exchanges are filled with vivid moments and meaningful lessons that leave a lasting impression on participants. Below, young people from Southern Estonia share their experiences from a project held in July in the Czech Republic, which brought together youth not only from Estonia and the Czech Republic but also from Turkey, Sweden, Spain, Poland, and Hungary.

Time Spent Together

"My favorite moments were the evenings when we watched movies together. These were times when we got to know each other better and enjoy doing something fun as a group," shared one participant.

Evenings by the campfire left the deepest impression. "One of my favorite moments was definitely when we had the chance to make a campfire. Everyone was playing games, grilling, and singing together. It was such a cozy and unifying experience," another participant recalled.

Singing by the fire also brought together different cultures. "That moment when everyone was together enjoying the atmosphere, even if they weren’t singing, was simply wonderful," added one young person.

New Skills and Confidence

The youth exchange provided opportunities for personal growth and building confidence. "I became more self-assured and braver in talking to people. My communication and language skills improved significantly," one participant described their development.

A diverse and supportive environment helped participants learn from one another and feel at ease. "I saw how everyone was different, but no one discriminated against others. This helped me feel more relaxed and develop my own courage," noted one participant.

Interestingly, someone also shared a more unexpected lesson: "The project sometimes made me question my choices, but it helped me better understand who I am and how to move forward."

Cultural Nights and Treasured Moments

Cultural nights were among the most cherished activities. "We learned so much about each country—from food and dances to history and natural wonders," a participant described.

"I loved seeing how everyone respected and appreciated their own and each other’s cultures," added another young person. These evenings helped participants realize just how much they could learn from one another.

Challenges and Overcoming Them

It wasn’t always easy. "At times, our group was quite quiet, but eventually, we found common ground and started talking more," one participant recalled.

Some felt tired or overwhelmed but found their own ways to cope. "When I felt tired, I spent time alone drawing or listening to music. Sometimes, I sought quiet and meaningful conversations with someone closer to me," shared one young person.

New Friends and Future Plans

The youth exchange brought new friendships and inspired future plans. "I’m still in contact with many of the new people I met and plan to visit them in the future," one participant said.

Another young person added, "The project helped me become more confident and make decisions more freely. In the future, I definitely want to take part in more youth exchanges."

The youth exchange left a profound impact on the participants, broadening their worldview and offering moments that connect and inspire.

Updated on Friday, 22/11/2024

After a failed attempt at university and a year of volunteering in my city, I decided it was time to live abroad and find my path. So in September 2023, with a suitcase full of warm clothes, I started my European Solidarity Corps experience in Tallinn, Estonia.

Before I left, I felt a mixture of emotions. I was excited to start this experience in another country and at the same time I was worried about the cold weather, the stereotypically cold northerners and the language, but I'm happy to say that I survived, met lots of wonderful people and had one of the best experiences of my life.

Those ten months in Tallinn made me fall in love with the tranquility of the city, I discovered that Estonians are warm people and that their language is as difficult as I thought - but I am proud to say that I now have an A1 in Estonian - I learned that they are very attached to their history and their music and that they like to share all this, because Estonia is a small country that is always confused with one of the other Baltic countries or Finland. And now, for me, any excuse is good to talk about Estonia and its people.

All the staff at the kindergarten where I worked were always warm and happy to help me, they spoiled me with gifts and parties and, they were more than happy to answer all my questions about their culture, and ask me about mine. Since I'm Italian most of the questions were about the food as it's very different, and it was a bit difficult for me to get used to eating so many soups and dill.

During the on-arrival training and the mid-term training, I was able to understand more about what it means to be a volunteer with the European Solidarity Corps, and more importantly, I made some friends who will stay with me for the whole ten months and hopefully for the rest of my life. Meeting people during this kind of experience is really nice because we all share our own culture while learning a new one, and it is always the best feeling to know that you have people all over the world with a couch ready for you.

This experience has taught me how to communicate not just with a language or just my voice, to say yes to new experiences, to be self-confident and travel to other countries and cities alone, to be independent and, most importantly, to layer when it's cold!

I wish everybody could be able to take the courage to start a new adventure somewhere out of their comfort zone, in a new country, with new people: there will be some ups and downs and you will meet some “strange” people, but it will all be worth it!

Updated on Tuesday, 19/11/2024

As I sit on the train, gazing out the window, I’m thinking about my trip so far—from Tallinn to Copenhagen, and now heading to Växjö. Everything has gone smoothly... that is, until I glance around and realize my big suitcase is sitting beside me in a four-seat section, rather than neatly tucked beneath the seat. Embarrassing! And no one even mentioned it to me!

It's now been just over two months since I arrived in Växjö. I think back to my first weeks here, when I would hear children’s voices passing by my open window, and the words felt strange, their meanings slipping past my ears. I still struggle, but now that sense of unfamiliarity has turned into curiosity and a motivation to learn.

Shopping is still an adventure—I walk into the store with a currency converter and translation app open, ready to navigate. But little by little, the language and items on the shelves are becoming familiar, with words and products sorting themselves from "foreign" to "recognizable."

The weather and small-town vibe here remind me of Tartu, in Estonia, where I spent the last six years before coming to Sweden. The signs may look different, but the feeling is the same: everything is close by, within walking distance. There is, however, a subtle sense of change, just enough to keep me from settling too deeply into my comfort zone. And, of course, my mindset is different now.

I have some goals to work toward and a year here to reach them. One of the main reasons I came to volunteer abroad was to reset my mind and body, to break free from routines I felt stuck in back home. As I take steps toward that goal, I can see changes happening, habits forming. A quote I came across recently resonates with me on this journey: “What you are not changing, you are choosing.”

Updated on Monday, 11/11/2024

Hello to all of you who are reading this letter, first of all.

My experience as a volunteer stems from a particular aspiration: to give the best of myself to the community. Not only out of a sense that the world can be a better place where we are all integrated, with a better quality of life, addressing global and local challenges with a closer approach, but also to create a feeling of togetherness among the people we cohabit.

What often happens - at least what happened to me - is that one day you decide that your time is not just for money in your account but for you and your community. In a globalised world, your community is no longer just, what surrounds you in your neighbourhood or city but what happens globally. In addition, on a closer scale, what happens within the European Union is relevant to everything else.

You have to look for opportunities; they do not just appear out of nowhere. Thanks to the European body of solidarity, you can find the opportunities that are available to you. In my case, the search was not very long (relatively speaking, as I was on a three-month search), but it demanded dedication and seriousness in the process.

Luckily, for me, I found a project that matched what I was looking for to be able to do journalistic work in community projects. I also wanted to get out of my "habitat" and see other parts of the world, experience other cultures and get to know new realities. In doing so, I want to appreciate my culture and my way of being in a perspective that is less pigeonholed in what I have always lived. To sum it up, to see with different eyes the reality of Spain and of the community in which I live.

Since Mreža udruga Zagor I have had that opportunity because I have been able to get out of my comfort zone and my daily horizon by having the opportunity to live in Zabok. In the first days, everything was wonderful, strange and scary at the same time. This mixture of emotions is normal; they will be explained to you in the on-arrival training if you decide to join this adventure.

My search for volunteering was closely linked to the project and it was something I could relate to my working life. In my previous jobs, I have done radio, podcasts, online and print publications as well as office work. The volunteering project I am involved in encompasses all of these. Still, the adaptation is not so easy. It would be best if you always had time. To adapt to the organisation, the timetable, the way of working, the workload, the organisation chart or the social relations.

Volunteering is not only a way of getting out of your comfort zone, but also a way of acquiring patience and empathy with yourself and others.

In addition to the work and organisation, you have to adapt to living in a new location. By Spanish standards, Zabok is an average - in some places maybe even a big - village. In Croatia, it is a city and this has many positive aspects such as the fact that you have access to a multitude of services because you are in a city and have a direct connection to Zagreb. At the same time, it has its complications, because although it is a city, there are only 8,000 inhabitants, which limits the leisure options.

Even so, it is a very quiet place where people are very welcoming and have a very peaceful life and where you have plenty of options for trips and activities. Everyone - and you too if you decide to join the volunteer programme - will have moments of maximum integration and minimums. All complications are solved with time.

During the experience, you will experience all kinds of moments in which you will have to be prepared for everything. There will be situations that you will be able to solve on your own, and others you will not. That has happened to all of us, but you will have the people in your organisation, your mentor and your sending organisation. There is a support group around you, do not close in on yourself.

Leaving your country is an enriching experience. In these months, I have had the opportunity to get to know Croatia and other surrounding countries. It has also allowed me to meet people from other parts of the world, talk to them, and compare lifestyles and open perspectives and horizons.

Taking the step towards volunteering is a decision that requires meditation, but once you are sure - that moment will come eventually, with its difficulties, but it will come - you will see that it has been a decision that will change you. In my case, it has done so in many ways: I have tried new foods, I have seen other places, and other realities that have made me see my land from a different perspective, I have had to take risks with some things and they have helped me a lot with others. All this is a very superficial view of the experience, but people’s experience fills them in different ways.

What is clear to me is that I am not the same person who left Spain before starting the adventure and I will not be the same as when the adventure ends. During the process, you will tend to idealize the positive things that you experience or that happen to you and then be very hard on the negative.  With time you learn - or at least in my case - I have learned to be more balanced in my experience. Some things don't fit my lifestyle and others that do. However, this kind of dissonance has helped me to better understand the context of other cultures. It has also helped me to embrace the positive things in my culture better and criticize the negative aspects.

If you are thinking of joining the volunteer life, join. You will not regret it, but as the Croatians says: "Polako".

Adrian Cobo Garcia

Updated on Thursday, 07/11/2024