I had the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus+ program from July 25th to August 8th, 2025, in a small village called Orvelte in the Netherlands. The project was called Back2Basics (B2B), and it focused on simple living, cultural exchange, and teamwork through various daily activities.

During my stay, I took part in many different activities, learned about other cultures, and experienced camping in a completely new way. Life and culture in the Netherlands really impressed me. Everything is very organized, clean, and well-structured. People are relaxed, friendly, open-minded, and always willing to help. One of the most interesting things I noticed is how everyone rides bicycles—almost every person owns one, and the entire traffic system is adapted to cyclists. There are bike paths everywhere, which makes transportation very easy and safe. I also admired how well-maintained the houses and gardens are, and I was amazed by the many beautiful windmills.
The most interesting and memorable experience for me was a four-day camping challenge. We were divided into groups of four or five people from different countries and had to manage without money or phones, while finding our own food along the way. We went from house to house asking for food and accommodation, and fortunately, we were successful every day. We always had something to eat and slept in comfortable beds thanks to the kindness and generosity of the Dutch people. During those days, we also traveled by bike from place to place and covered a total of 120 kilometers. After the camping challenge, we spent four hours paddling canoes back to the village, which was both challenging and unforgettable. However, the most beautiful moments were the evenings spent with other Erasmus participants, sitting around the fire, talking, and bonding.

I met many new people from different countries and built wonderful friendships. I am still in contact with some of them, which makes this experience even more special.

Through this Erasmus project, I learned many valuable skills. I improved my communication and teamwork abilities through group activities. The camping experience taught me resourcefulness, effort, and perseverance. I also gained a deeper understanding of different cultures, which is extremely valuable in today’s world.

I would definitely recommend this Erasmus experience to others. It is the kind of program that makes you want to come back again. You gain new knowledge, meet amazing people, and create unforgettable memories that will stay with you for a lifetime. For me, this was truly a unique and special experience.

Food and activities were also an important part of the program. Every evening, participants from a different country prepared traditional dishes, so we had the chance to taste a variety of international cuisines. This was a great way to learn about different cultures through food. One of my favorite Dutch treats was stroopwafels, which we ate almost every day—they were absolutely delicious! Each day was filled with diverse and engaging activities, so there was never a dull moment.

Updated on Tuesday, 05/05/2026

Erasmus+ is much more than a study program abroad; it is a launchpad that transforms your identity and gives you the confidence to compete at a global level.

When I applied for my mobility at the University of Ulm, it felt like a symbolic homecoming. Having been born in Switzerland and raised in Germany and Australia before moving to Romania for medical school, my life was a collection of different cultures.

Returning to Germany through Erasmus+ allowed me to finally connect these pieces. It was a journey of self-discovery that helped me turn my multicultural background into a professional strength.

During my two years in Ulm, I was privileged to undertake internships at both the Ulm University Hospital and the Ulm Military Hospital. These environments challenged me to grow in ways I never expected. I had to find my place within a highly structured system that demanded both rigorous discipline and a high degree of autonomy. One of my greatest lessons was mastering what I call "linguistic gymnastics", the humble art of switching between complex German medical terminology and simple, kind words to ensure my patients felt truly heard. Earning my Goethe C1 certificate during this time was a proud milestone, but the real reward was the trust I built with the people I treated.

Beyond the hospital walls, Erasmus+ taught me the value of a European mindset. Whether I was hiking through the Alps with international friends or walking along the Danube, which felt like a physical link to my family in Romania, I realized how much we can achieve when we bridge our differences.

The skills I gained through this experience gave me the courage to take my research to the global stage. It was an honour to present my teams work in the United States and having received the G. M. Jager Memorial Travel Grant for the 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2025 Conference, to begin a PhD partnership between Romania and Australia in October 2025 as well as commencing my doctoral studies at the University of Ulm in October 2024. I am deeply grateful for the mentors and the program that supported me every step of the way.

Today, as a Neurosurgery Resident in Târgu Mureș, I am proud to bring the best practices I learned in Germany back to my patients in Romania. I would encourage any student to take this leap. It reminded me that borders are just lines on a map and prepared me to be a doctor with a global vision, ready to serve my community with a broader perspective.

Updated on Wednesday, 29/04/2026

Clovis Irafasha from Lahti, Finland, was encouraged by the trusted adults in his life at crucial moments. Shy as a child, he grew up on the football pitch and in international European Solidarity Corps volunteer projects to become an open, sociable and skilled people person.
 

Welcomed by a Croatian village community with open arms 

A short-term volunteer period made Clovis fall in love with Croatia. 

He became part of the Vrginmost village community: the children wanted to talk to him non-stop, the villagers would pick him up for futsal practice on Saturdays and it became a habit of his to sit down for coffee with a man from the village. On his birthday, Clovis was surprised by the villagers with a cake, congratulatory songs and a visit to an adventure park. 

Clovis also became close to Pedja and Maja from the hosting organisation, and even started jokingly referring to Pedja as ‘Papa Pedja’. The nickname came about when Clovis found it difficult to explain because of the language barrier that his own father had passed away. So he suggested that he could write down ‘papa Pedja’ on the form. 

“So I had a dad for a while,” Clovis laughs warmly. “Pedja and Maja were such lovely people – and they loved me!” 
Clovis reiterates that he feels compelled to return to Croatia – and he promised to do so to the young people of the village when he left. 
 

Helping others and getting to know yourself 

In Croatia, Clovis met all kinds of people, from babies to the elderly, while working in a daycare centre, a youth centre and a service home. Particularly memorable were an elderly woman who needed help chopping firewood and a more withdrawn youngster whom Clovis always tried to chat with. 

“Even today, Pedja and Maja thank me for gradually encouraging the youngster. It really stuck in my mind,” he says. “The grandma was always like, ‘Can I get you a drink, can I get you a Coke, can I get you a bun?’ You could tell that she was happy when we helped her. We were happy too. The help went exactly where it was needed.” 

The experience reinforced Clovis’s feeling that meeting people and working with young people is his thing. 
“It's simply the best! To talk to a person, to get to hear what their opinions and thoughts are, or if they have any concerns,” Clovis sums up. “You can't know what a person has been through until you talk to them.” 

As a counterbalance to all the socialising, Clovis also appreciated the serene village lifestyle. 

It calmed him down and helped him realise that he becomes overwhelmed if he keeps doing too many things at once. It is better to focus on a few of the most important things at a time. 

That being said, Clovis had almost too much time for contemplation for a while when his working partner had to cut their volunteer period short, as a result of which there was suddenly no one to keep him company at the apartment, apart from an attention-seeking cat. 

“I always end up missing Finland. Wherever I am, it's enough to be there for 2–3 weeks to make me miss it – my friends and everything,” Clovis admits. 

Fortunately, he was able to discuss these thoughts as well with Pedja and Maja. 

Delicious khachapuri and the splendour of Sámi clothing 

It was already six o'clock on a January morning, and Clovis was waiting in vain in front of his home for a friend who had promised to give him a ride to the train station. 

With the clock ticking and no sign of his friend, Clovis calculated that he had to jump in a taxi. He had more than a thousand kilometres of travel ahead of him towards Inari in Finnish Lapland and a team project at Youth Centre Vasatokka. 

“The Vasatokka project had quite a start, let me tell you! I almost missed my train. That was the most stressful part,” Clovis grins. 
He remembers the confused looks on the faces of passers-by as he lifted his suitcase onto his head and sprinted to the train just before it left the platform. From there began a two-week immersion into Sámi culture – with a little bit of Georgian culture mixed in too. 

In Inari, Clovis, together with other volunteers, organised an event culminating in a snow football match at Youth Centre Vasatokka. 
The team worked well together. Clovis got on particularly well with a Georgian volunteer with whom he still exchanges news on a weekly basis. 

“The Georgian bread with eggs was really good,” Clovis says, recalling the khachapuri made by his friend. “They also taught me Georgian folk dancing, and I even got compliments for my dancing from their mother!” 

The volunteers were also involved in organising the Skábmagovat Indigenous Peoples' Film Festival, selling tickets, building snow lanterns and cushioning seats with reindeer skins. The festival attracted visitors from as far away as China. 

Clovis did not know much about the Sámi before the project and a visit to the Sámi Museum Siida. 

“It was a wonderful culture! I loved those Sámi outfits,” he enthuses. “The way they spoke Finnish in Inari was also wonderful, the dialect is like another language.” 

Pushed forward by important adults 

Even as a young boy in his native Rwanda, younger children were always asking Clovis to play with them. His big sister would shoo the children away, only for them to return a few minutes later to ask again. 

However, the change in environment and culture was massive when Clovis and his family moved from Rwanda to Lahti, Finland, when he was 10. There he joined a football team, where he only dared to talk to three friends until the under-15 national team qualifiers were approaching. 

“The coach kept telling me ‘Clovis, you're going to get picked soon, so you have to socialise, otherwise you won't make it,’” Clovis recalls. 

Another encouraging adult was Irene from Lahti’s outreach youth work, who saw the potential in Clovis, who she had known for years, and got the 16-year-old excited about a volunteer team project in Portugal. 

Since then, Clovis has participated in three short-term European Solidarity Corps volunteer projects and two team projects in Piispala, in addition to the Vasatokka project. 

When asked about how he got involved in all these projects, Clovis’s answer is always the same: 

“It’s all Irene. She’s my agent!” Clovis jokes. 

Finland looks different when you look at it from Rwanda 

Clovis's perspective is broadened by his own Congolese family's background as war refugees and regular family visits to his native Rwanda. 
“I love how things are so easy in Finland. Many people don't see how easy it is to go to school, to get food, to find a summer job at the age of 15, to earn some money of your own here. There are no opportunities like that in our home country, which sometimes makes me sad – sometimes really makes me think,” Clovis says in a more subdued voice. 

If Clovis could fix anything in the world, it would be the future of young people. 

“I would give young people an upbringing that would make them feel accepted, cared for and loved, good hobbies and the opportunity to go to school.” 

When it comes to his own future, there is one idea that Clovis has been holding on to for some time: 

“Next year, while I’m still under the age limit, we’ll see about me doing a longer period of volunteer work.”


Text: Laura Mettälä


Clovis, 28, Lahti, Finland 
● Originally from Rwanda, lived in Lahti, Finland, since the age of 10. An educational and community counsellor who has worked with children and young people in a variety of settings: in a daycare centre, a youth centre, as a football coach and in a group home for orphans and refugee youth. Did DJ gigs in his younger days and continues to do occasional music promotional work. 
● Currently focusing on playing for the Finnish national street soccer team and preparing for the year's international tournaments in the Nordic countries and Mexico. 
● Dreams of continuing to work with young people and having children of his own. 
● Would make the world fairer by ensuring that all young people feel loved and have good recreational and educational opportunities – alongside ending wars, famine and water shortages. 
● Projects: European Solidarity Corps short-term volunteer project in Croatia in 2024. Sent by Lahti Youth Services. Team project at Youth Centre Vasatokka in 2024.
 

This interview is part of the European Youth Week, which takes place from 24 April to 1 May 2026 and is aimed at promoting youth engagement, participation and active citizenship by making the voices of young people heard. This year, the European Youth Week is dedicated to ‘Solidarity and Fairness’ and celebrates 30 years of volunteering in Europe.
 

Updated on Monday, 01/06/2026

“Where did you study your master’s abroad?”

“Everywhere a bit.”

This conversation has happened to me countless times, and I always like to respond this way, with a smile. It’s not a lie. I was part of the Erasmus Mundus STEPS (Sustainable Transport and Electrical Power Systems) program, a joint master’s degree organized by several European universities, which naturally means that you don’t spend your studies in just one place. In our case, those were the universities in Coimbra in Portugal, Nottingham in England, and Gijón in Spain — cities that I am proud to say became my cities.

It feels like I could write an entire novel about each of them instead of trying to squeeze them into a few paragraphs. How can I mention Coimbra without talking about students walking around in long academic robes like they belong at Hogwarts and eating pastéis de nata with a view of the Mondego River? How can I mention Nottingham without talking about the English passion for football felt in every pub, the legendary Nottingham Forest by the River Trent and the even more legendary English breakfast? And how can I mention Gijón without talking about San Lorenzo beach, which disappears and reappears twice a day with the tides, about fiestas, siestas, and the famous sidra — the local apple cider that must be poured from a height before you can drink it?

So instead of talking about these cities in detail — because I would easily get lost in memories of them, just like I actually got lost in their streets during my first days there — I will talk about the people and the experiences.

One of the best things about the Erasmus Mundus program is that, as the name suggests, it is a global project, not just for Europeans. Our small world included people from Argentina, Venezuela, the United States, Spain, Montenegro, Serbia, Eritrea, Lebanon, India, Vietnam, and the Philippines — quite a diverse group, as you can imagine. And that’s not all. Add to that all the people who came to those cities on a “regular” Erasmus exchange, and suddenly you have the whole world around you, just waiting for you to extend your hand and say: “Hi, I’m Aleksandar from Serbia.”

Every beginning is slow and filled with uncertainties — especially if you are a procrastinator like me who applied for a visa too late and ended up arriving a week after the semester had already started. But then you begin meeting people, and you quickly forget why you were ever worried in the first place. Because people are what make this experience so meaningful and unforgettable.

Looking back now, those first contacts seem almost absurdly awkward and clumsy — shy greetings to people who would soon become a very important part of my life. People with whom I would go to lectures, prepare for exams, and work on projects, but also share sunsets, celebrate Thanksgiving with dishes from all around the world, run into the ocean in January, and share both the happiest and the hardest moments in the following two years. In one word — friends. Perhaps even more than that, when you are so far away from your previous life, these friendships carry even greater significance. I still find it incredible how people from completely different parts of the world, cultures, languages, and traditions can fit together so naturally, as if they were always meant to end up in the same place.

Studying within different educational systems was also a unique and challenging experience. These systems were completely different from the one in my home country, and also very different from one another. In Portugal, the focus was on homework assignments; in England, on writing academic papers; and in Spain, on projects and laboratory work. Each city contributed in its own way not only to my education but also to the way I think and approach problems. It would be a lie to say that it was always easy, but when you go through everything together with your friends, and along the way someone brings freshly baked chocolate chip cookies or a slice of jamón serrano appears at just the right moment, everything seems manageable.

After that, the only real limit was how much free time we had. And we really tried our best to spend every free moment traveling, socializing, and just enjoying life. Whether it was crazy trips, tables full of food, drinks and people, crazy nights out until sunrise, or simply sitting in beach chairs like retirees — all those pictures still hang on my wall. It’s impossible for me to look at them without a smile on my face (and an occasional tear in my eye)

If you’ve heard how much a single Erasmus semester can mean to someone, imagine what four Erasmus semesters can do to a person. Four times as many adventures, four times as many fond memories, four times as many people…

It is often said that the only bad thing about Erasmus is that it eventually comes to an end, but I tend to disagree with that.

How can we speak of an ending when we are still in touch regularly, when we still organize reunions, when I know I have a place to sleep in almost every major city in Europe (and beyond), and when I am a proud host in my city for so many people?

Oooh no, my Erasmus didn’t end.

My Erasmus has only just begun…

                    

Updated on Thursday, 16/04/2026

My name is Lan Batič, a student at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics and a member of a team currently running our second solidarity project. I first heard about this opportunity during a DiscoverEU trip, where I immediately recognised it as a chance to broaden my horizons and step outside my comfort zone. The more I looked into it, the more I realised it was a truly unique experience for young people — one that offers a glimpse into a world that might otherwise remain distant or unfamiliar.

The opportunity gave me and my team the support we needed to turn our idea of improving young people's lives into something real. Along the way, we developed our organisational skills and got to grips with the financial side of running a project like this. That part was the biggest challenge for me personally, as it was the least familiar territory at the start. Being faced with a large amount of information and responsibility taught me just how important teamwork really is. It was precisely our collaboration and mutual support that helped us navigate the challenges more easily.

To any young person considering getting involved, my advice is simple: just try it. It is an incredible opportunity for personal growth, gaining hands-on experience, and making a genuine contribution to your community. Looking back now, I am proud of what our team has achieved. We successfully completed one project and are wrapping up a second just as successfully — and I truly believe we have brought something valuable to our local community. Something that would simply not have been possible without this experience.

There was also plenty of fun and enthusiasm from the young participants at our events. As a little anecdote — at two of our board game evenings, we introduced a game called Root. It was an instant hit, with participants immediately diving into its complex rules. At the very next session, everyone at the table was stunned when one of the young participants arrived completely prepared. He had written down the best strategies, knew all the rules inside out, and had mapped the optimal path to victory. Naturally, he won in just a few moves — which was all the motivation the others needed to come better prepared next time. On the day of that second event, in the spirit of fair play and by complete mutual agreement, we temporarily banned the tactic he had used, giving the other players a fair chance to first understand the game and learn how to counter that strategy.

Updated on Wednesday, 20/05/2026

During her volunteering project in Spain, Makbule assisted blind people in their daily activities and participated in many trainings. Back home she supported volunteers who came to Austria first as a mentor, later as a European Solidarity Corps project coordinator for four years. 

In 2025 she started the solidarity project 'Töpfern auf Rädern - ClayConnects'. It offered free pottery workshops for young people with fewer opportunities and from marginalised groups. These workshops provided new means of self-expression and a tool for non-violent communication. 

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Tania came from Italy to volunteer in Austria when she was 18. During almost a year, she supported and accompanied people with disabilities in their everyday lives with Evangelisches Diakoniewerk Gallneukirchen Austria.

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

"During my voluntary service, I supported the residential group team as best I could. I accompanied and supported people with disabilities in their everyday lives. I believe that working with me has made my colleagues more open-minded to working with EU volunteers."

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"Voluntary service was my first experience of living independently, without my parents, and my first long stay in a foreign country. Thanks to this experience, I found my career path and, what's more, I found a new home here. After my voluntary service, I completed my training as a certified social worker for people with disabilities in Gallneukirchen and continued to work in the same residential group alongside my training. That’s where I’m still working."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"I believe that voluntary service is an important opportunity for (young) people to try something new and learn about new things. It offers the chance to immerse yourself in a perhaps unfamiliar field, take on a challenge, find new friends and build a network. And sometimes it might be the place where you will stay, find a job/your passion and start a family."

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Laura-Elise volunteered in Spain in 2024, where a forest-fire had destroyed a large part of the forest. She helped to replant trees with other volunteers from around Europe.

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"The most memorable part of my volunteering wasn’t a big event, but the small, everyday moments in our shared house. We had one big living room where, despite speaking different languages, some only Spanish, others only English, everyone gathered each evening. Someone would be knitting, someone singing, the dog resting by the fireplace, and yet no one ever felt alone. I built a special bond with two eighteen-year-olds from France and Greek Cyprus; at 26 I sometimes felt like the big sister. We worked and hung out together, and I later visited one of them during a project in Cyprus. It felt like we’d created a mini-family where everyone could be themselves. We also had team-building moments with documentaries and group discussions, developed a walking route about the region, and were interviewed for short videos at the end."

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

"Our engagement had both direct and long-term impact. We joined a project that welcomes volunteers every year in short two-week teams, and the local community now immediately recognises European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteers, remarkable in a village where almost no one passes through except bike tourists. We worked on reforestation, knowing a new forest will grow there in a few years, which gives a strong sense of sustainability. We also lived with local Spanish youngsters participating through youth centres, often in vulnerable situations. They spoke little English, so communication was sometimes creative, we couldn’t even wake them calmly because we didn’ t know the Spanish word for it. But they were part of the same warm, home-like atmosphere, and for them too the living room became a safe mini-community. The experience strengthened my belief that ESC meets young people’s need to reconnect after Covid. The friendships last: volunteers who later came to stay with me, and people I visited again."

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"Volunteering has truly given direction to my life. I did my first Erasmus+ exchange at 17-18 and never really stopped. European Solidarity Corps (ESC) became a consistent thread, and now I even support ESC volunteers myself, turning my passion into my job. Professionally, it shaped how I work with young people, challenge stereotypes, and create safe spaces. I pay close attention to project structure: introductions, exploring the local area, step-by-step activities, and a clear ending, which I now apply myself. 

Personally, ESC made me more open and empathetic. I learned to listen to people from different cultures and developed calm confidence with new groups. That helps when young people feel lonely, as I actively create ways for them to connect, for example, a list of “things you still want to do before you leave.” ESC shaped me as a professional and a person: curious, patient, and always ready to make others feel welcome."

Laura-Elise and project participants replanting trees, 2024

Volunteer planting a tree

A group of volunteers replanting trees

close

chevron_left

chevron_right

3 Media files in this gallery

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Alice volunteered in Germany from September 2003 until July 2004 with Lebensgemeinschaft Sassen und Richthof. She learned to speak German and discovered anthroposophy, a spiritual philosophy and a tool helping to support people with intellectual disabilities.

🎤How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"Volunteering gave me confidence, helped me get to know myself better, introduced me to Germany, and taught me German, which I still use in my work from time to time. It also introduced me to anthroposophy. I discovered a unique approach to supporting people with intellectual disabilities. I met people who devote themselves to those who are more vulnerable, always with respect. I try to carry this kindness and respect for everyone into my everyday life."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"Volunteering matters because it shows us that we can thrive by helping others. It broadens our horizons. It allows us to discover another country and another culture. It helps us take a step back from our own lives, our country, our studies, and our future profession."

🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

"I hope this volunteering programme continues for many years to come and enables young people from all social backgrounds to have an experience abroad and make friends for life."

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Elizabet volunteered in 2021 in Sumy, Ukraine with CanYouAssociation. The volunteering was a deep immersion in non formal learning, gained by mentoring volunteers, managing administration, leading some youth clubs, supporting summer youth camps, and both participating and helping preparations for trainings.

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

Volunteering was the masterclass in practical reality that my formal education wasn't—and I say that even with a Bachelor’s degree in Nonformal Education. It shaped my professional path in a concrete way: after finishing my project, I became one of the first officially recognized youth workers in my country under new legislation. I doubt that would have been possible without the guidance and example I received during my volunteering experience. On a personal level, it pushed me to question the thought patterns I used to fall into. More broadly, it taught me to examine life without immediately trying to fix it—to accept reality as it is, and work with it, not against it.

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

Volunteering is important because it's one of the few truly reciprocal forms of work. It gives what you give into it. It addresses tangible needs in a community while forcing the volunteer to move beyond abstract ideas and engage with complex realities. it connects bitovism with idealism somehow. You learn practical skills, see systems from the inside, and develop a clearer, less romanticized understanding of both problems and solutions.

🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

Happy 30th! My wish is that this programme keeps giving more people the same raw, life-changing experience it gave me—that chance to live in the messy, beautiful reality of another community, learn by doing, and discover that the biggest shifts often happen within yourself. Here's to 30 more years of building real connections, not just projects.

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026