Hello! My name is Alica and I am a 16-year-old student from Slovakia. Since I was a little kid I have loved socialising, meeting new people and experiencing challenging adventures. Thanks to this particular Erasmus+ youth exchange, I had an opportunity to experience two amazing weeks, where I met a lot of great friends and gained, not only theoretical but also practical knowledge. The memories I made will stay forever with me. 

But I will start from the beginning…. It was an ordinary day for me when my mom sent me an offer for an Erasmus+ project that should take part in Slovenia. It seemed quite nice, so I said to myself, “Why not? The least I can do is write an application and see what it is about”. So that was exactly what I did. The very next day, on Thursday, I got an email saying I was accepted for a project that was starting in 4 days. I was so excited and shocked, but my stress level was rising every hour. Immediately after I came home, I started packing and making a list of things I needed for this youth exchange. 

However, after a few busy days, I finally had everything I needed, but mostly I had many expectations and fears I would have to face. On Sunday morning, I was in Bratislava standing in front of a bus that would in 7 hours arrive in Ljubljana. 

After many hours spent travelling, we finally reached our eco-farm, in the middle of nowhere, where we were staying. Then, I saw a completely new place with many question marks around it. But now, when I look back, I see the most wonderful two weeks I experienced there. Even when we were 10 for one shower, or I was stressed about my English level or my social skills... but gladly, I can say nothing of that did matter. 

We spent our time gaining knowledge about the media in the best ways possible - I wasn’t bored once. We were creative and constantly bringing new awesome ideas to life. We had interesting workshops and great discussions. But we not only “learned” but also had free days - one I spent discovering Ljubljana and the other cleaning and playing sports. 

I met a lot of amazing people that I will never forget. I learned about new cultures and, thanks to the “cultural evening”, I experienced a bit of them. I made friends all across Europe who told me they would always have a couch for me if I ever needed one. On the last day, when we were saying goodbye, I cried so hard because I thought I would never see them again and I would miss them very much - but funny story, with many of them I am still in touch and Slovenians came to Slovakia for another Erasmus+ project after a month, so we went to see them again and it was absolutely wonderful.

I will be forever grateful for all the experiences, memories and friendships I made in Slovenia. I am so thankful and happy that I clicked on that Facebook link my mom sent me.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

The first trip to a foreign country for a week without parents, living with a Turkish host family, and attending one of the Turkish schools, getting to know many young people from various European countries, and learning about their culture and traditions, improving English language skills, and going on excursions around enchanting and promising Turkey... All of this relates to my first youth exchange experience, which I had the opportunity to experience four years ago when I was in the sixth grade (at that time, I was the youngest participant in the project)! Although quite some time has passed since this trip, all the experiences remain indelibly etched in my memory, and the warm connections with the people I met there have endured to this day. Sometimes it feels as if it all happened just yesterday. 

The partners of this "Erasmus+" youth exchange program were six countries: Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Italy, and Turkey. Schools from each country sent three students and two teacher-leaders to Turkey. So, when I received an offer from my English teacher, the project manager of the "Erasmus+" program at our school, to participate, I immediately consulted with my parents and agreed. It was a completely new and promising experience for me – an enriching adventure that opened my eyes to different cultures. 

During the first few days, we traveled and had various excursions around this magnificent country. From the ancient marvels of Istanbul to the serene landscapes – Turkey's cultural heritage captivated me at every turn. I immersed myself in architectural wonders such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, marveling at their grandeur. The aroma of various spices, perfumes, and incense, as well as the scent of Turkish sweets, pleasantly tickled our noses as we explored the intricate streets of the Grand Bazaar. But beyond the vibrant cityscapes, Turkey's natural wonders left me awe-inspired. I was impressed by the cascading beauty of Pamukkale's terraces. Pamukkale Thermal Baths is an incredible place created by nature itself and attracts millions of visitors every year. From the Turkish language, the name translates as "cotton castle." Indeed, when you look at the Pamukkale resort from afar, it appears as though a castle made of many fluffy cotton balls stands majestically in front of you. This place is also called "Cleopatra's pool"—according to legend, it was here that the Egyptian queen gained her beauty and youth. However, despite its amazing beauty, Pamukkale's pools also possess great healing properties. The diverse geography of Turkey offered me a stunning appreciation of the natural world. 

The remaining days were spent in Eşme, Uşak, where we lived with Turkish host families and studied in Turkish schools. Studying in a Turkish school and experiencing a different education system, even if only briefly, was truly interesting. We also had an international evening during which we presented our country's traditions and learned about the culture of other countries. However, the most significant aspect of this project was living with a Turkish host family. It served as a gateway to genuine cultural immersion. My host family imparted invaluable insights into Turkish traditions and daily life. It was a truly authentic experience that deepened my understanding of Turkish culture. They introduced me to the warmth and generosity that define Turkish hospitality. They were also very interested in my hometown and Lithuania—our traditions, culture, and language. I taught them some Lithuanian phrases, treated them to Lithuanian sweets, shared stories, and even sang a few Lithuanian songs. I am glad that we have remained in touch with our host family until now. A host family always remains your second home. 

The youth exchange program in Turkey had a profound impact on my personal growth. It broadened my perspectives and nurtured qualities such as adaptability, open-mindedness, and responsibility. It was a transformative journey that left an indelible mark on my life. It allowed me to forge lifelong friendships and expand my global perspective. Turkey will always hold a special place in my heart, and I carry the lessons learned and friendships made as cherished treasures. I am deeply grateful for the memories, lessons, and connections that this remarkable program bestowed upon me, and I wholeheartedly encourage others to embark on similar adventures of cultural exploration and personal growth.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

My girlfriend and I were so lucky to receive a free Interrail Pass through DiscoverEU. But at the same time we were so unlucky that our trip were postponed several times due to Covid-19. 

Finally, when we were able to travel, we started our journey in Warszawa and from there we travelled to Kraków, Prague, Budapest, Zagreb, Split, Ljubljana, Peschiera Del Garda and Venice. Our goal was to experience as much of Europe as possible that we haven't already seen. We have been on many self-drive holidays and therefore we decided to take a plane from CPH to Warszawa, instead of spending a whole day driving through Germany.

We planned the trip in our gap year and it lasted for a month. We got so many positive experiences that we probably wouldn't have had if it was just a regular trip with our parents. The Zoo in Prague had a huge impact on us. It was located on a mountain and it was so big that you needed to take an elevator to access the different levels of the Zoo.

What made our trip to Prague special were that we got to travel around the city in a 100 year old tram. Furthermore in Budapest we got to see one of the biggest Parliaments in the world, followed with a guided tour of the inside of the building.

What the both of us have taken with us from this trip is a lot more independence and knowledge about other countries than just our loving neighboring countries. We also had to go with the flow when it came to both our and their English oral skills in hope that we understood each other. It contributed to the feeling of uncertainty and therefore the victory felt greater when the outcome turned out to be correct.

We definitely recommend everyone to seize the world as it is and just let the overwhelming feeling of all of the different opportunities flow over you, in order to gain experience and knowledge about the world.

Best regards,

Peter and Amalie

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

My name is Olga, I'm 18 and I'm a European volunteer with Icíar in the neighbourhood houses. I've just finished my A-levels. Last year, in September, I was planning to go to university, where I was going to study languages, but that wasn't possible. My parents suggested I go to England to improve my English.

I stayed there for three months and they were very helpful, as I improved my level considerably. Back in my home town, Cáceres, I found out about Erasmus Plus through the town hall, which I found very interesting. It's a great opportunity for me to learn the French language and learn about the culture of the country. I love animals, nature and travelling, so I'd like to focus on these themes during my placement and carry out activities with participants.

My name is icia albarrrán Salas. I am a 24 year old Spanish woman who lives in the city of professional experience, I obtained my BAFA in 2016 and in 2021 I will obtain my teaching qualification in the bilingual modality (Spanish and English) specialising in Physical Education. I also have a b2 in English and before coming here I was studying in c1. Since 2016, I've been working with children and young people. Working with these groups and supervising them at holiday camps are two of my passions. I'm also working hard as an instructor, waiting to get my diploma later. About myself and my hobbies, I'm a friendly girl who loves sport, especially skiing, basketball and football. I also like driving my car (I got my driving licence in 2018) and travelling.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Hi everyone,

My name is Rafaela, I am 19 years old and I am a “Boquerón”. In case you are confused now, do not worry. “Boquerón” is the Spanish word for anchovy – or here in Málaga: the word for people from Málaga, Spain. After living and volunteering here for 10 months, I would consider me a very salty, happy, and cultured anchovy.

As a fish you get to swim a lot and see many different parts of the ocean. And so, did I. But first I head to learn how to swim, and I had many “first times”: I was living alone, I was sharing my flat with people from different countries, I was managing my own money, I was working as an English auxiliar, I was washing my own clothes… I even repaired our shower for the first time. Sometimes I felt like a baby anchovy. I was drowning a few times and did not know how to survive. When not being able to express yourself the way you would like to, because your Spanish is not yet good enough, you have to learn to express yourself in other ways. Like a baby, I learned to use my face and body language to make myself understandable.

And on my way swimming around the ocean trying to communicate, I discovered new places where I felt safe and understood. I found a rock where I could hide but I also found a stage where I could shine. Throughout my teenager years as an anchovy, I played volleyball at the beach, traveled around Spain, and participated in activist groups for women rights and environmental protection. These places started forming me and gave me a lot of inspiration, orientation, and lastly self-confidence. After living in Málaga, I started to understand who I am and where I want to go.

A sea like Málaga can offer a life to every fish in the ocean, no matter where they are from. Therefore, I also met new like-minded fishes and living beings, which helped me developing into an adult anchovy. Even though many of them did not have the same heritage or share a common language with me, I always knew I could rely on them. These living beings helped to develop myself and made me become the fish I am right now. Even though, I said in the beginning that I was a Boquerón, I think that throughout my volunteering I turned into a new species of fish: I got parts of the Spanish anchovy, the English Mussel, the German lake trout, the Italian tuna, the Greek sea bream, and the Romanian carp.

Thanks to my ESC volunteering, these fishes are defining me now. I learnt to stop seeing me only as a German girl and started considering me an EU citizen instead.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Hello, I’m Chiara from Italy and I’m taking part of the European Solidarity Corps in Bilbao, Basque Country.

One year ago I was wondering what to do with my future, dealing with a lot of uncertainties, untill I found out about this amazing European Project. I was looking for something that could gave me the possibility to live abroad and collaborate within a field I like. Finnally, after weeks of research, I read the ad of what is currently my project, and I just knew I had to apply.  I can’t describe the happiness I felt when they called me back to tell me I was being selected !

I have always loved to work with kids and adolescents, having been a teacher in kindergarten and primary schools and a help-educator in a foster home. Therefore, I instantly fell for my project here, which is about non-formal education. In fact, I am volunteering in a centre for young people, teaching them english but also enjoying their spare time with workshops and cultural activities.

I came to Bilbao cherishing to help and teach, but honestly I feel like I am the one who is learning the most. I had the oppurtunity to relate with a diffent beautiful culture, to learn a new language, and last but not least to discover more about my self.

This was not my first time living abroad, but it is the first time I felt at home. All thanks to the wonderful people I met here and the office environment, that made this experience so easy to handle. I found a second family and this is priceless.

I think ESC is a really an incredible opportunity. It gives you the chance to go out of your confort zone but you’ll never feel alone during the process. Moreover, there are so many projects that you’ll find for sure at least one that suits you and will help you gaining experience in the área you like the most. My advice is to not waist your time and apply to European Solidarity Corps, you will spend a great time and enjoy every minute!

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

¡Kaixo! (Hello)

Today I will tell you about my ESC experience in Bilbao, in the Basque Country, a beautiful region in the north of Spain.

I left last September from Ferrara (Italy), my hometown. It was not the first time I had been on an international experience, but the excitement was very high. I would have the opportunity to meet many new people, make connections and work in an international context.

Actually, my expectations were not disappointed. My project is about young people. Every afternoon I work with centers where they come to spend their free time. These are all kinds of young people, with different social and family backgrounds. In our spaces they feel protected, they find people like us who try to help and guide them through the problems they face every day. We do many activities, play together, organise small workshops and excursions.

Another part of my volunteering is to promote European mobility opportunities in high schools. Sometimes I go to schools to talk about my experience and try to inspire and encourage youth to travel. With many of them, in fact, I realise that often the fear of novelty or uncertainty wins out over the desire to get involved and go. While it is more than understandable to feel like this, it is a shame because you might miss out on great opportunities.

Applying for this project was one of the best decisions of my life. The organisation I collaborate with here immediately supported me and helped me to feel at home in this beautiful city. I try to use my free time to travel around and get to know the region I am in and all of Spain better. My ESC experience is complete, I feel part of a well-structured project in which I feel valued.

Thanks to Bilbao, I got to know myself better, with my strengths and weaknesses, because as an old wise man used to say: “it is not people who make journeys, but journeys that make people”.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Hello everyone!

My name is Lejla Jerab, I am 16 years old and I am a student of the 1st High School in Osijek. I live in a town near Osijek, Tenji. I like hanging out with friends, creating new activities for us, and playing sports such as volleyball, basketball and running.

A little over a year ago, I started volunteering and that way I started to discover Osijek as a city and what activities it offers for young people. Then I went to different workshops and educations and I told myself that I need to take a little bigger step in my experiences, so I decided on a youth exchange in Pirovac, Croatia.

I participated in the Erasmus+ youth exchange "Digit Yourself", which took place in the Pirovac Training Center in the municipality of Pirovac, lasting 10 days from June 24. until 3.7.2022. , organized by the PRONI Center.

As part of this exchange, we participated in practical workshops where we learned about digital tools and how to use them effectively: Canva, Europass, motivation letter, online interview, video and photography.

I think it's okay to mention that before my first exchange I felt different fears. The main fear that prevailed was that I thought that I would not be able to communicate with the other participants because my knowledge of English is not the best, but it turned out to be the least problem because every day it got better and we used "both hands and with my feet", and my friends from Croatia were always kind enough to help me with translation and understanding. The second fear was that I had to leave for ten days from my family, friends and the environment that is familiar to me, but day by day it became easier. We started the day with breakfast at 8 a.m. and had an hour to get ready and prepare for the workshops that started a little after 9 a.m. Before the beginning of the workshops, we had energizer exercises that were very interesting and gave us a lot of energy to move on. Every day was a different topic and we always learned something new. There were morning and afternoon workshops with a coffee break and lunch. After the workshops at around 4 pm, we had discussions in groups where everyone gave a brief review of that day (how he experienced it) and wrote down his experiences and knowledge in the Erasmus diary, which eventually helped us write the Youthpass.

When we finished with the more structured part, we had our free time, which we often used to have fun on the beach, and in the evening we went to the city or gathered in the yard and played social games, but depending on the day, one country had a presentation (so-called intercultural evenings ) and after the presentation we tried specific food and got to know the traditional dances and music of each country.

We dedicated one whole day to a trip to the famous Croatian islands, Kornati, and we had great fun, saw beautiful nature and got to know each other even better and became closer.

I am motivated for further exchanges similar to this one and I hope that my next destination is somewhere outside of Croatia. I learned a lot from the other participants who are completely different from me, who are full of energy, and they passed it on to me, and it helped me develop myself. I would recommend all young people to take part in these kinds of activities, because I can say from my personal experience that this is the most beautiful experience I've had so far and I got to know myself even more. It's worth the risk, because in my case it turned out great because of the excellent organization by the PRONI center, who provided us with everything from food, transportation, accommodation, and last but not least, great entertainment (free of charge). From every activity like this, I believe that everyone can grow as a person. Of course, not everything is for everyone, but you should check to find out if it is right for you.

Lejla Jerab, Tenja

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Volunteer Jana Matuško from Slavonski Brod took advantage of the opportunity for individual volunteering in Belgium, thanks to the European Solidarity Corps programme, and she received support to join the volunteering project from the PRONI Center for Social Teaching, as a "sending organization".

Below is Jana's story about the ESC experience that she wants to share with young people and encourage them to do the same!

"You want to live and work abroad, but you don't know where to start? ESC is the perfect opportunity for you!"

The acronym ESC stands for European Solidarity Corps.

What exactly is ESC?

Formerly known as European voluntary service, ESC is a program that allows you to live abroad under the auspices of the European Union. The projects differ in terms of topics, so you choose what interests you the most, work, live abroad and with very little of your own money. The EU covers pocket money, money for food and rent, and part of the travel expenses (within the approved budget).

My ESC started after the Erasmus student mobility, I lived for two different semesters in two different countries, in Poland and Lithuania. That was not enough for me, so my idea after graduation was to go to volunteer via ESC. The good side of ESC is that the only requirement is that you are between 18 and 30 years old and a citizen of the European Union, so unlike Erasmus, you don't have to be a student to be able to apply. After detailed research on Facebook pages and the European Youth Portal, I found a project in Ghent, Belgium, from where I am currently writing this article. The program was volunteering in a non-governmental organization, Kiwanis, which helps children all over the world. The work itself is office work, work in marketing and in various trainings that we prepare for other volunteers in our organization. The process of joining the organization consisted of 3 online interviews because a lot of people applied for the project, but I managed to get into the program and a week later I was on the plane. I've been living in Ghent for almost a year now, and my project is coming to an end soon. In this year, I managed to meet other ESC volunteers at two joint trainings organized by the National Agency in Belgium. Every project is different, so it was very nice to meet people who are in the same situation as me and to compare projects and conditions.

I learned a lot in this year, experienced Belgian culture, life in the West, traveled and had fun, and of course improved professionally. This year has flown by and the only thing I regret is that I can't stay longer. I sincerely recommend everyone to try ESC, you can learn a lot, both about work and about yourself as a person. Likewise, we really grow when we are in multinational environments. I know one thing, you won't regret it for sure."

Source: Jana Matuško

Do you want to give yourself a chance for life experience, are you between the ages of 18 and 30 and are you interested in individual volunteering, which is made possible under the European Solidarity Corps program?

Feel free to contact the PRONI Center at the address 204. Vukovar brigade no. 47., in Vukovar or call the number: 032 450 107 or write to volonterski-vukovar@proni.hr.

We provide, free of charge:

information about the ESC program

help with applying to the European Youth Portal

help with writing a CV and motivation letter (for applying to the desired volunteering program abroad)

continuous communication with the organization that will receive you as a HR volunteer

technical assistance regarding departure (finding adequate transport, etc.)

meeting/connecting with foreign volunteers who also use individual volunteering at the PRONI Center to exchange information and experience

answers to your questions and support throughout the process

We are here for you! Greetings from the PRONI Center!

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Hello! I can describe myself as me, myself, and Ajš. I like to use this phrase because it represents my differences. I can evaluate every situation from different perspectives. In general, I try to show my interest in various ways.  I graduated in International Relations and the most important thing which I learned from my study field; be multidisciplinary! If you can learn how you collaborate your ideas and your abilities you can do everything you want. You should have no doubt that something good will come out of it, especially if they come from different areas and come together. I try to move like that.

I'm just a person who is trying to make the best use of my time, my youth, and this idea opens my horizons. If I had to choose three things to define me, I would choose photography, environmentalism, and gender equality.  I have a strange obsession with visuals and aesthetics, which causes me to see a different photographic frames everywhere. Besides that, questioning my life on the basis of environmentalism and gender equality makes what I do more meaningful for me.

I am deeply interested in analog photography because it has its own process.  You need to be careful before you take a picture, you need to know every detail of photography because it can be burned. Also, you can't see the result directly. You need to learn to wait, I think it made me aware of the process. When I learned to enjoy the process I learned how I can change my comfort zone. It helped me stop worrying about the result.

My ESC journey started like that, I wanted to expand my comfort zone. Combining this with volunteering, which is the best way I know how, and coming together with different cultures, which has always been a curiosity for me, this program was inevitable for me. When I came to Zabok, I felt peaceful. It was my first step to a new part of my life. It was a quiet town and the people were friendly. I came at Christmas time and it was my first Christmas. Zabok gave me a special welcome in every way. I must say that I am in love with the nature of this country!

When you come with this program, mostly you need to share your place with your roommate/s. That's not that hard for me. Cultural diversity, different backgrounds, and different perspectives are always instructive and developmental. We should be open to this. On the other hand, living with someone requires a sense of responsibility, which is as important as anything else.

About the work, It's really great for me to work with my organization. I feel comfortable at the office, especially with fresh coffee! My responsibility for digital creativity; includes design and social media management. Most of my time is spent coming up with ideas for the youth magazine I edit, finding new ways to involve different people, and creating an interactive space.

Having said that, I have to say that there are good things as well as challenging things. Every time I really share something with people in a completely different country is unforgettable for me. On the other hand, it is also difficult not to be able to fulfil some of the things we are used to and therefore expect because of cultural differences. Nevertheless, it is instructive and empowering to be aware of this.

All of this process learned me an important thing about myself: I can't run away from some realities. To tell the truth, I supposed like If I go somewhere else, like really different, I can run away some problems in my life. But It's not true. Sometimes you need to change, not your surroundings.

I could say to people who are interested being volunteering in a different country; If you can be aware of yourself, your situation and the country in which you will be volunteering everything will be better and you will have unforgettable moments!

Author: Aysenur Kursun

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026