Eeva Kurikkala thought for years that she would go volunteering in France, but ended up in Slovakia. The volunteering period shattered her preconceptions, deepened her understanding of the importance of community help – and quietly changed the direction of her whole life. 

Long-standing dream of France dashed 

For many years, Eeva, who grew up in Kalajoki, Finland, imagined herself in France. She wanted to get into a real language environment to speak French, which she had been studying since fifth grade. 

Eeva recalls that she was always interested in “all the international buzz” and credits her small hometown for making it possible to participate in it. During her school years, she went on group trips and had exchange students from Kalajoki’s Japanese twin town stay at her home. 

The international studies offered by Kalajoki General Upper Secondary School led Eeva to take part in Rieska-Leader’s activities and eventually to hear about the possibility of a volunteer period in Europe. 

During the interview phase for the French volunteering positions, the language requirements ultimately proved to be too high for her. As a result, Eeva’s dream of France was dashed. 

A wild card that took some digesting 

Instead of France, Eeva ended up selecting as her destination, somewhat by chance, what she calls a ‘wild card’: Slovakia. Being an ice hockey fan, Eeva was only familiar with the capital Bratislava from Finland's 2011 World Championships win. 

“Yes, I was nervous. Of course I was nervous! But the nervousness was the kind of passion typical to young people. I wasn’t terribly aware of where I was going,” Eeva recalls from more than seven years ago. 

She is amused how, for example, the fact that the hosting organisation was a Catholic community centre only dawned on her from the pictures on the map service when she noticed a large cross on the wall of the building. In her twenties, she was more focused on being nervous about sharing a room with another volunteer. 

Once there, the initial nervousness gave way to initial awkwardness. During her first few months with a private Slovak teacher, Eeva was so unmotivated that she felt ashamed of her own contrariness. 

She was frustrated: why do the verbs have to be gendered too? Of course her fellow volunteer had an easier time learning it because they knew Russian! 

Then it dawned on Eeva that Slovak is part of a large family of Slavic languages. As she watched her volunteer working partner serving customers in Slovak in a café, she began to wonder what avenues broader language skills would have opened up into people's minds. 

“I started getting annoyed! I realised that the less I had known, the more closed off and prejudiced I had been. It was a lot to digest. When you don't know or understand, you also can't take an interest,” Eeva reflects. 

The hardest thing was to stand up for your rights, the most important thing was to witness solidarity 

In the beginning, the volunteers were assigned so many cleaning tasks that Eeva and her working partner decided to consult the European Voluntary Service’s Programme Guide and negotiate a more productive job description for themselves. 

“The hardest part was recognising your own limits and setting boundaries,” Eeva says. “I wouldn't have even dared to speak up on my own, but this friend of mine had a strong will. They even got a tattoo that said ‘no’. It was a symbol of that setting of boundaries.” 

In the end, her main duties included working in a volunteer-run, ‘pay what you can’ café. This involved carrying Ikea bags full of milk from the shop and grating chestnut paste. 

The café was frequented by a large number of people with low incomes and socially marginalised people. 

“I had the feeling that I was seeing a pretty wide range of human fates there. As a result, I became more open to meeting really different people, and I learned some extra gentleness and patience. Before that, I was a more prejudiced person,” Eeva says. “I've thought afterwards that it was important at that point in my life to have that kind of reality check.” 

Her second big insight had to do with what solidarity looked like in the everyday life of the community. 

“It was interesting to see how they thought of each other as a family and were willing to include us volunteers in it as well,” Eeva says, recalling how her boss took them on a roadtrip and a colleague invited her to their wedding. “Helping was 
the keyword. I learned that you can often rely on other people: you have to have the courage to ask for help, and even a little help can mean a lot to someone else.” 
 

Disappointment turned into a transformative experience 

Immediately after returning from her volunteering period, Eeva surfed to a website listing radio stations around the world and tuned into a Slovakian frequency. 

After a few years of listening to the radio, it was time for a rematch: Eeva applied for a student exchange – not to France, but to neighbouring Prague for lack of a destination in Bratislava. 

During her exchange year, she travelled around the country, speaking Czech as frequently as she could. 

Upon returning home, she had a firm grasp of the basics of Czech and an idea of a traineeship at the Finnish embassy in Prague in the back of her mind. 

Then, when the embassy's traineeship advertisement mentioned Czech or Slovak language skills as an advantage, she began to think about path dependence. 

“Your previous choices lead to the next ones in interesting ways,” Eeva sums up. “That project in Slovakia changed my direction a lot. I feel that it has to a large extent defined who I am now as an adult. Sometimes a thing that you know nothing about can end up being your turning point.” 

Eeva feels that her university traineeship in the Czech Republic was a culmination of her previous experiences. Working on a photography project for the Finnish embassy's Independence Day celebrations summed up for her how meaningful moving abroad at different stages of life can be. 

In the project, Eeva photographed and interviewed Finns living in the Czech Republic about their experiences of expatriation and home. 

“In the end, I did it perhaps to look at my own experiences through the eyes of others,” Eeva admits. “I got all emotional about the fact that other people have also had these experiences of living elsewhere and in some way searching for yourself.”

Text: Laura Mettälä

Eeva, 27, Turku, Finland 
● Originally from Kalajoki, Finland, currently studying geography in Turku and starting her master's thesis on the themes of cultural flexibility. 
● A student organisation activist and a ‘humanist through and through’ who attends a Czech language club and enjoys creative hobbies. 
● For her, the most important thing in life is the freedom to dream, and her dream is to end up doing something she can honestly stand behind. 
● If Eeva could correct any one thing to make the world fairer, she would provide children and young people with the means to grow up as carefree as possible into healthy adults. 
● Project: Long-term volunteering project of the European Voluntary Service (EVS), the predecessor of the European Solidarity Corps, in Slovakia in 2018–2019. Sent by Rieska-Leader.

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

Spending a year as a volunteer in Wrocław, Poland, made Janni Turpeinen from Pudasjärvi, Finland, reflect on the meaning of work and her place in the community. At the same time, she gained an understanding of multicultural everyday life and a clearer sense of her own direction.

When Wrocław became Janni's home for ten months, she found a sense of home in small everyday similarities with the locals. 
“I thought it was the most wonderful thing in the world when I took the tram in Poland during rush hour and it was completely quiet 90% of the time! They have a sense of personal space very similar to Finns there,” Janni recalls. 

Janni had been led to the tranquillity of the Polish tram by a promise that stuck in her mind from a visit to Maailmanvaihto, an NGO that sends out and hosts international volunteers: the European Solidarity Corps offers you the chance to live abroad – ‘for free’.

Meaningful work – but for whom? 

“Applying for volunteer work made me think about whom I would be working for,” Janni says. “There’s no pay, so what’s my motivation?” 

The Polish NGO Foundation of Social Integration Prom's work for low-income families with children, Roma families and Ukrainian war refugees struck Janni as meaningful. The job description, which involved social media, video recording, photography and event planning, was also appealing to her. 

Still, talking about the meaningfulness of work makes Janni quite reflective. 

Spending much of her time in front of a screen or in the company of other volunteers made the perceptive young person question the direct impact of her efforts on the local community. 

“At no point did I...” Janni starts, but then corrects herself: “Hmm, I was about to say that I didn't feel like I was making an impact on the local community. Then I began to think that maybe I was after all, because I saw how happy those children became at the events we organised.” 

Janni recalls in particular an event on the last week of her volunteering period, during which a daycare-age child came back after having already left – just to say “hyvää päivää” (“have a nice day”) to Janni. 

“My heart melted then and there! The child had looked up in some translator app how to greet me in Finnish. It was such a sympathetic thing.” 

Friendship and loneliness in a multicultural environment 

In the beginning, Janni felt that the other volunteers warmed up to new acquaintances more quickly. She cannot say whether it was a ‘Finnish culture thing’ or a ‘me thing’. 

Many of the volunteers also had other people from the same country there, while Janni was the only Nordic person in the volunteer circles. It made her feel lonely at times, as Janni recognised in herself a longing to share her own culture. 

However, during the second half of the volunteering period, some of the friendships that she established deepened, and in the end, culture was just one thing among others when it came to them. 

“We are all unique personalities after all, no matter where we come from. Friendships can be built across many kinds of bridges,” Janni reflects, and gives an example: “One of my best friends spoke practically no English when they arrived, but somehow we still learned to communicate and have fun together!” 

In a multicultural group of roommates and friends, learning took place not only through discussions but also through observing practical situations. 

“We got used to not always immediately understanding each other's ways. Many would benefit from learning such tolerance.” 

A journey into the self far from home 

In retrospect, Janni sees the volunteering period as having clarified her values. Her openness to new experiences was strengthened. And on the other hand: being far away from her loved ones taught her to appreciate them in a new way. 

In addition to clarifying her values, the experience also guided Janni’s choice of study field. Working with social media sparked an interest in marketing in Janni, and her passion for internationalism led her specifically to a degree programme in international business. 

The hardships of the volunteering period, in turn, accelerated Janni's independence. Now she is confident that she can cope with any situation. In retrospect, being nervous about e.g. her language skills has felt to her like a “really stupid fear.”

When asked to whom she would recommend European volunteering activities, the 30th anniversary of which is celebrated this year, Janni exclaims: 

“Oh, I wish I could say ‘to everyone and for all possible reasons!’ On the other hand, I'd like people for whom it is not an obvious choice to see this opportunity. Volunteering is not just free work, but also an investment in yourself. It gives you the most precious experience in the world practically for free!” 

A future full of hope – and uncertainty 

In the near future, Janni will be moving to the Helsinki Metropolitan Area when Aalto University's Mikkeli campus moves to Otaniemi in Espoo. Having grown up in a small town, she admits that she has reservations about Helsinki. 

“After all, Helsinki is quite a multicultural place. There are international cultures and people from all over Finland. Maybe I'll blend in just fine,” Janni ponders, her voice calm. 

However, her calmness is somewhat shaken when the discussion turns to broader issues. Although Janni is optimistic about her own future, the state of the world evokes some very different emotions in her. 

Janni is concerned about wars, climate change and polarisation. Frankly, the world does not seem like a very fair place to her, let alone one where many people in power are fit for their positions. 

“And even if all the dictators and the Trumps and the monster billionaires were somehow deleted, someone else would rise to take their place. People in high places often become somehow blinded,” Janni sighs. “I would like the most powerful and richest people in the world to see what life is like at the other extreme.” 

Janni is upset about the uncertainty of the future, not only for herself, but for all children and young people. And not without reason: according to the latest Youth Barometer, as many as half of young Finns are pessimistic about the future of the world. 

“But perhaps many young people also think that we can change things, because we are the generation of the future.”

Text: Laura Mettälä

Janni Turpeinen, 21, Mikkeli, Finland 
● Originally from Pudasjärvi, Finland, currently studying economics and business administration in an International Business programme in Mikkeli and working shifts as a cashier. 
● Enjoys the outdoors, music, podcasts and “really random” books: currently reading The Unknown Soldier and listening to The Hunger Games trilogy as audiobooks. 
● Hopes to live and work abroad at some point in the future. 
● Would make the world fairer by making the most powerful people understand what life is like for the most disadvantaged. 
● Project: Long-term European Solidarity Corps volunteer project in a Polish NGO in 2024–2025. Sent by Maailmanvaihto ry.

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

According to Erasmus+ youth exchange participants Valo Heikkinen and Ella Kuvaja, exchanges are life-changing experiences for many. As active young citizens, they know that the desire to make a difference comes from being part of a great team and doing something meaningful for others. 

Nervousness and ice-breaking 

The “Älä hättäile, istu mättäälle!” (literal translation “Don’t rush, sit on the grass!”) youth exchange project focused on the climate and sustainable development at the behest of the youth of the Oulujärvi branch of Nuoriso Leader. 

“It was cool that the theme came from us. When someone came up with the idea of calling it ‘älä hättäile, istu mättäälle’, it caused a lot of laughter in the group,” Valo recalls the origin of the project's name: “It immediately felt like this was going to be a good project!” 

In late summer, it was time for the project participants to set a course for the French-speaking region of Belgium. While relations with the hosting organisation had been warmed up beforehand through video calls and introductory videos, at first there were some challenges with grouping. 

“We made it clear to them that it was not feeling like a group project. That there were a few problems with how to get the Finns and Belgians to work together, instead of in separate teams,” Valo says. 

As a result, deliberate efforts were made to mix the two groups together. Gradually, the group bonded over a day trip to Maastricht, during which teams were mixed across nationalities for urban orienteering, and by watching shooting stars and sharing ghost stories around a campfire. 

The initial awkwardness was partly explained by nervousness over speaking a foreign language. 

“It feels scary, coming from the wilderness up north, where you never need to speak English. We also had a younger guy with us, who was really nervous about just flying on a plane and going abroad. It made me realise how important it is to support each other,” Ella says empathetically. 

With more attention paid to grouping and everyone supporting each other, even the nervous members of the group gradually realised that their skills were more than good enough. 

On the trail of the dragon's egg thief 

But there was one experience that proved to be even more effective in terms of grouping: the fantasy role-playing game Youngsters and Dragons, in which emotions ran high as the young people, divided into different roles and communities, negotiated under pressure. 

Afterwards, the participants were told that they could have also chosen a different strategy in the game. 

“Someone tried to suggest that maybe we don’t need to eliminate anyone, but they got shouted over by the others. When it turned out that the person had been right, many people spoke up that it was annoying that we didn't listen to them. As a group, we felt like, dammit, we should have worked as a team!” Valo recalls. 

The game made the young people think about why the opportunity to do things differently was missed. 

“We also reflected it on the real world and things like how countries respond to each other. What is stopping us from looking at things from a new perspective and learning from the past?” challenges Ella. 

How old is your ‘fit? 

Although Valo and Ella also praise their visits to a community garden used for alternative food production and a farm, the thing that really made them think was the fast fashion workshop that the two Finnish young people organised themselves. 

“The thing that really stuck in my mind was that if all clothing production were stopped now, we could survive for 150–250 years with the clothes we have! I was also amazed to find out how few times people use a single piece of clothing on average,” says Valo. 

Inspired by the ‘how much does your outfit cost’ concept, the workshop had each participant calculate the lifespan of the clothes that they were wearing. The discussion also extended to global injustice, with the use of child labour in fast fashion leading the young people to imagine themselves in the shoes of those children. 

The workshop made many of the participants think about reducing their shopping and about alternatives. Ella says that when she walks past the clothing department, she now looks at a nice shirt from a different perspective: 
“Do I really need this, will I use it, how was it produced?” 

It's all about community 

Following the recent news coverage of young people's lack of confidence in the future, Ella says that she has been wondering whether their generation is gradually becoming numb to living from crisis to crisis, or whether they have the strength to try to improve their situation. 

However, Ella and Valo are both young people who have been involved in student councils since primary school, in addition to which they engage in hobbies like scouting and theatre, respectively. As active participants in Nuoriso Leader’s activities, they have not only organised several youth exchanges, but also surveyed the wishes and needs of young people in their region, for example by touring Kainuu with an escape room game. 

So what keeps their motivation for active citizenship going? 

“The knowledge that you have at least tried,” Valo sums up. 

“For me, it's the community,” Ella sums up. “Sometimes it can feel desperate, but when you see the people and get to share ideas, it gives you hope. You can see what you're aiming for. We want to create opportunities for young people and a sense of community in rural areas.” 

This is a remarkable idea in our individual- and performance-oriented age: the desire to make a difference and be active is born in communities where people do something meaningful together for the benefit of others. 

Broader shoulders to carry climate concerns 

The Kainuu duo have realised that internationalisation is making the world smaller. 

“The more you travel, the closer you feel to everything. Even though things are different at a certain level, it doesn't feel that foreign. Even with the Belgians, we shared many of the same ideas, interests and concerns,” says Ella. 

One of these shared concerns was the climate crisis. 

During the interview, Valo jumps up, turns on his phone's rear camera and shows off the thawed ground in his backyard; usually this time of year is perfect for skiing where he lives. 

“Not a lot of skiing taking place out there,” he says. “But climate anxiety feels like a lighter burden to carry when you know that there are other people of the same age elsewhere in the world who are also concerned and frustrated about it.” 

The climate crisis is also a question of fairness. Ella has noticed that in Finland it tends to be downplayed, because the worst consequences are realised far from home. At the same time, young people are forced to live in the middle of a crisis that they did not cause, Valo points out. 

Alongside the sharing of serious concerns, Valo and Ella also made some amusing observations during the exchange. The first thing that comes to the cheerful duo’s mind about Belgian culture is the potato – and not just any Finnish ‘pottu’. 

“There was some kind of trick to Belgian fries. Under no circumstances should they be confused with the French fries that we have here. The Belgians talked about those potatoes for a long time and with intensity!”

Text: Laura Mettälä

Valo Heikkinen, 18, Kajaani, Finland 
● Studying to become a bass player and in a band that play “freestyle rock-inspired art explosion music.”
● Directed a full-length play at Kajaani Amateur Theatre at the age of 15, inspired by his first youth exchange. 
● Planning to become a European Solidarity Corps volunteer after graduating. 
● Would make the world fairer by eliminating discrimination experienced by various minority groups and fixing the healthcare system. 
● Project: “Älä hättäile, istu mättäälle!” youth exchange in Belgium in August 2025. The theme was climate change and sustainability. The Belgians have applied for funding for a follow-up project.

Ella Kuvaja, 20, Jyväskylä, Finland 
● Originally from Kajaani, currently studying social work in Jyväskylä. 
● Learning to knit woollen socks, active in scouting, and joined Nuoriso Leader “after thinking about it for one minute.”
● Dreams of having a meaningful job, hobbies and to be connected to communities where you feel good. 
● Would make the world fairer by providing all young people – including those living in rural areas – with equal opportunities in life. 
● Project: Same as above.

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 Wednesday, 24/06/2026

Which exchange program did you attended and why did you chose it?

I went on exchange to Nantes, a city near the west coast of France. When deciding where to spend my exchange semester, I looked at what the different universities could offer. I had always dreamed of going to France to experience the culture, the country, and the language. I believe it is important to have a clear idea of what you want your exchange experience to be before going abroad.

My main interest was experiencing France and exploring different regions and cities, which is why I chose a slightly smaller city with excellent train connections. Nantes was an ideal choice because it offered plenty of opportunities to travel around France. The city is home to Audencia, a business school that offered ten sustainability-focused courses, which was exactly what I wanted to study.

Practical aspects of the exchange stay

The practical aspects of studying abroad mainly revolve around accommodation, transportation, academics, and finances.

I had previously lived abroad for a semester and had very positive experiences using Airbnb. I explored the housing options in Nantes, including accommodation available through Erasmus, but my priority was to live in the city centre so that it would be easy to get home after travelling, social events, or nights out with classmates. Living in the city centre turned out to be one of the best decisions I made because all our evenings usually started with my friends gathering at my apartment for dinner since I lived closest to everything. It also meant that I could say “yes” to every idea and event without having to worry about transportation.

Transportation in Nantes is very accessible. The tram system can take you almost anywhere, and there are also excellent bus connections. Nantes has made efforts to become a bike-friendly city, so on sunny days I would rent a bike and cycle home instead of taking the tram. I travelled extensively around France, and it was essential that Nantes had great train connections through its large central station. From there, you can take direct trains to cities such as Lyon and Strasbourg.

Financially, my student grant, the Erasmus scholarship, and part of my savings were enough to cover my expenses. As mentioned earlier, it is important to reflect on what you expect from your exchange experience. I placed a strong emphasis on travelling around France and bought a train subscription called MAX Jeune, which cost €80 per month and allowed me to travel for free at certain times, or otherwise at a guaranteed discount. Because of this, I often ate out while travelling and stayed in hotels or Airbnbs, which naturally made my exchange more expensive than some of my friends’ experiences, as they stayed in Nantes most weekends.

What did the exchange experience give you academically and personally?

My exchange experience improved my French skills and gave me a better understanding of what it feels like to arrive in a country without speaking the language or fully understanding the culture. Living abroad increases your independence as you learn to navigate a new country, language, and culture. In addition, it strengthens your adaptability, and of course you grow significantly as a person through the experiences and people you encounter.

The exchange also provided insight into how teaching is conducted in another EU country. Education in France was very different from what I had experienced in Denmark. For example, attendance was mandatory in class, which is not the case in my degree programme in Denmark. In many ways, it felt a bit like high school again, but it also meant that everyone in the class became very close because we saw each other almost every day for several hours. This also created a greater cultural understanding because we spoke much more with our classmates, and my class consisted of students from all over Europe, which made discussions on different topics both exciting and insightful.

Which courses did you take and what were they about?

I took a course package consisting of ten courses, each worth 3 ECTS credits. All courses were connected to sustainability, as I was enrolled in the Sustainable Business programme. The courses focused on topics such as financing sustainable businesses, creating sustainable supply chains, sustainability across cultures, and sustainable business strategies.

The ten courses were:

System Thinking and Sustainability
Sustainability Across Cultures
Strategies for Sustainability
Financing for Sustainable Impact
Building Sustainable Supply Chains
Leading Change for Sustainability
Materiality, Reporting and Auditing
Multi-Capital Accounting and ESG Ratings
Sustainability Certification: Carbon Footprint
Stress Management, Emotional Intelligence and Care
What you did in your free time and what everyday life in France was like

In my free time, I travelled around France to explore different cities and experience the contrasts between regions. From drinking apple cider in Normandy during the apple harvest to enjoying vin chaud in Strasbourg, the Christmas capital of France, with its famous Christmas market and beautifully decorated streets, every destination offered something unique. In total, I visited 23 cities, both with friends and on solo trips. In nearly every city, I tried local delicacies and regional wines, which aligned perfectly with what I hoped to experience during my exchange semester in France.

In Nantes, something was happening within my friend group almost every day. We would go out for dinner, visit the cinema, or take walks through the parks or around the castle. Together with my friends, I rented a boat and sailed along the river, and we also went go-kart racing at a track located about 20 minutes from the city centre.

School played a significant role in everyday life, but because we spent so much time at school, we rarely had homework or assignments outside class. This meant that our free time felt very relaxed, and we could enjoy activities without feeling guilty about not studying or finishing group work. Daily life was characterised by long breaks, close friendships, and late dinners.

Around Nantes, there are several smaller towns as well as the Loire Valley. Angers, for example, is known for its wine, and I visited both castles and vineyards there. Along the Loire River, you can find many famous castles such as Chambord, Chenonceau, and Azay-le-Rideau. If you choose Nantes or another nearby city, I would highly recommend visiting the Loire castles to experience historical French culture and learn more about French royalty.

Erasmus also organised activities during the week. Every Tuesday there was a party at a club with a different country-themed night, where only music from that country would be played. The Spanish and Italian nights were especially fun. Every Thursday there was karaoke at an Irish pub, and we attended almost every week to sing loudly alongside the many tone-deaf international students.

Advice and reflections for other students

My advice to students going on exchange to Nantes or France in general is to think carefully about what you want to gain from the experience. There are plenty of student organisations and Erasmus activities, meaning you could easily stay in your chosen city and focus mainly on spending time with friends. Personally, I found travelling around France absolutely incredible, and I would strongly recommend the MAX Jeune train subscription, which allows you to travel almost freely throughout the country for only €80 per month.

Beyond that, my biggest advice is simply to say yes to everything. Stay open-minded and embrace new experiences. Studying abroad can be challenging, but it is truly worth it. I would never want to be without my experiences in France.

Another important piece of advice is to actively make an effort to learn the language, even if you do not feel confident. Speak French whenever you can, make mistakes, and take advantage of the small everyday opportunities to practise. It makes a huge difference when you can connect with people in their own language. I only experienced French people as kind and appreciative of any attempt to communicate in French.

It can also be beneficial to build relationships with both international students and local French people. International students provide a sense of comfort and community because you are all in the same situation, far away from home and everything familiar. Local friendships, on the other hand, offer a more authentic insight into the culture and everyday life. I became close friends with a French girl, and we met twice a week for coffee to practise speaking French and English together.

Finally, I would like to remind future exchange students that it is completely normal to experience homesickness or culture shock along the way. Give yourself time, be patient, and remember why you chose to go abroad in the first place. I would never trade my experiences in France, as they have given me both personal and academic experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Even now, my Erasmus friends and I are already planning to reunite. Since we all come from different countries and cities, we decided that each year we will visit one another’s hometowns. We have already booked tickets for the first destination: Prague.

Updated on Tuesday, 26/05/2026

My name is Katarina and I come from Osijek, Croatia. I am a young creative person with a strong passion for art, design, and visual expression. My interests include fashion (especially vintage clothing), graphic and web design, photography, and astrology. Creativity is an important part of both my personal and professional life.
I applied for the Erasmus+ youth exchange “A Heart for Art” because I am strongly interested in how different art techniques can be used to boost creativity, self-expression, and the personal development of young people. The project’s focus on exploring various artistic methods and using art as a tool for learning and empowerment was especially relevant to me. I was also motivated by the opportunity to connect creativity with employability skills, such as communication, collaboration, and innovative thinking. I saw the project as a space where art is not only a form of expression, but also a way to develop competencies that are important for young people in their personal and professional lives.

The programme’s approach to using artistic activities as a bridge between youth work, creativity, and social connection was particularly inspiring and aligned with my interests. The most inspiring activities for me were portrait-making workshops and textile printing on T-shirts, as they helped me to explore different artistic techniques in a practical and creative way.

The project helped me develop new friendships and meaningful connections that I will continue to maintain. It also gave me the opportunity to explore Rijeka more deeply, especially its street art scene and cultural spaces. Through museum visits and artistic activities, I gained a new perspective on the city’s history and cultural development. The exchange also highlighted how art can be used as a powerful tool in youth work, encouraging creativity, expression, and intercultural learning among young people.

I will always remember the positive atmosphere, laughter, and creative energy during the workshops. The combination of humour, collaboration and artistic expression made the experience very inspiring and memorable.

Youth exchanges like this are important because they help young people develop confidence, especially in communication and foreign languages. They also encourage self-expression and allow participants to see how others perceive them through creativity, culture, and everyday interaction. Such experiences help build friendships, expand perspectives, and create opportunities to explore new cultures. Most importantly, they support personal growth and self-discovery.

I strongly believe every young person should take part in Erasmus+ opportunities, especially those who feel they lack space for creativity or self-expression in their daily lives. These projects help overcome self-doubt, encourage openness and show that growth happens outside of comfort zones.

Life is full of opportunities — and we should embrace them when they come.
 

Updated on Wednesday, 20/05/2026

Hello! My name is Ovidijus Bacevičius, and I come from Panevėžys, Lithuania. After living abroad for seven years, I returned home with the goal of contributing to the development of local culture. I currently work in the nearby town of Kupiškis at the Culture Center as a cultural event organizer. I am particularly passionate about ethno-culture, playing the traditional instrument kanklės, and I am the founder and leader of the Ancient Baltic religious association “Romuva” in Panevėžys – “Skaistakalnio Romuva”.

As someone working in the cultural sector, I am constantly looking for innovative ways to engage young people. I applied for the Erasmus+ seminar “Vibrant Minds” to explore how art can be used as a transformative and educational tool in youth work. My goal was to gain new creative methods that I could later apply in my professional work in Kupiškis, as well as in my everyday life.
One of the most inspiring experiences for me was visiting the Dječja kuća cultural center and learning about their community-based projects. I was also deeply impressed by the Opera in Rijeka, which presented a unique combination of modern expression and traditional culture. It was a style I had never experienced before and showed the diversity of artistic approaches present in the city.
The seminar provided me with many practical tools and ideas, especially through visits to local organizations such as Vijeće mladih Benčić and Riperaj. I learned how sustainable practices, including upcycling, can be successfully integrated into artistic workshops for young people.

Additionally, meeting youth workers from across Europe gave me a strong boost of inspiration and motivation. The exchange of ideas, experiences, and perspectives was incredibly valuable for my personal and professional growth.
I will always remember the unique atmosphere of youth club Palach in Rijeka and the strong sense of community we created there. While Rijeka itself was inspiring, the most meaningful part of the experience was building genuine connections with other participants and realizing that we share common values, regardless of our different backgrounds.

Projects like this are truly eye-opening. They offer young people the opportunity to experience different cultures and approaches while understanding that art is a universal language. They also help build confidence, encourage creativity, and push participants beyond their comfort zones.

My advice to young people is simple: don’t hesitate – just apply. Take the opportunity to travel, explore, and learn. Most importantly, bring that energy and inspiration back to your own community. Your local environment can grow and evolve through your experiences.
 

Updated on Monday, 10/08/2026

I was part of the team behind the Erasmus+ Youth participation project “Outside the Bubble”. During the project, my role was to create podcasts, and I recorded two out of the four podcast episodes we produced in total. Alongside that, I also worked on scripts, organised a team bonding event, and helped coordinate communication workshops.

This project gave me the opportunity to challenge myself, meet new people, and gain experience in a variety of situations. Through the project, we created podcasts designed to encourage participants to step outside their comfort zones. Our goal was to “burst” information bubbles and promote communication between young people and decision-makers in the Jelgava region through discussions and small icebreaker activities during the podcast recordings.

Throughout the activities, I learned a lot about adapting quickly to different situations and further developed my communication skills. I also realised how important it is to listen to different opinions and work effectively as a team, even when it initially seems like everyone has completely different experiences, beliefs, ideas, and perspectives. In the end, it is always possible to find a shared solution that works for everyone.

What motivated me to join the project was a visit to the Ozolnieki Youth Centre together with young people from Līvbērze, where I first learned that it was possible to write and submit project ideas ourselves — as long as we were willing to bring those ideas to life. We wanted to step outside our usual environment and meet new people with different perspectives on life. I realised this would not only be an opportunity to socialise, but also to test myself and my ability to adapt to changing activities and different ideas, while becoming more open to collaborating with a wide range of people.

Another important reason for joining was my wish to improve my communication skills and become more confident when speaking to strangers and expressing my thoughts. Before this project, I often felt that I lacked confidence when speaking in front of larger groups or taking part in discussions, especially with people who had different opinions or who were older and only saw me as “just a young person”. This project felt like a safe environment where I could finally try to overcome those fears, especially because everyone in the Jelgava region felt familiar and approachable.

I was also inspired by the idea of shared experiences and building new connections. I enjoy being part of an active youth environment where people can exchange ideas, create something new together, and realise that we all have the power to influence what happens around us and suggest meaningful improvements.

Of course, I also simply wanted to experience something new and step outside my comfort zone. Now I can confidently say that joining this project was one of the best decisions I have ever made, because the experience gave me far more than I had expected.

My favourite memory from the project is the moment when the whole team came together for the first time to discuss the ideas we wanted to include in the project. Another unforgettable moment was when we received the news that the project had been approved and gathered together again to celebrate. Those moments of coming together as a team are the memories that will stay with me the longest. There were also situations where we had to compromise and find common ground, and in its own way, that was exciting too.

To other young people, I would absolutely recommend trying to take part in a project. If you see an activity, opportunity, or poster looking for young participants — go for it! You never know what opportunities it may open up for you afterwards. Experiences like these help you discover yourself, develop new skills, and build valuable friendships. The real opportunities begin outside our own bubbles.

For more information about Erasmus+ the click here.

Updated on Wednesday, 20/05/2026

I went on a DiscoverEU trip together with a friend of mine. We travelled around Europe by train, visited famous landmarks, and met lots of fellow travellers along the way. At first, we thought we would get to know more local people, but in reality we mostly connected with other travellers. We travelled for around two weeks, and it was an amazing experience overall.

In France, we saw the Eiffel Tower, admired the Louvre Museum from the outside, and also visited Disneyland, where the European Youth Card gave us a really good discount on the entrance fee. In Ireland, we went to see the famous cliffs and, although the weather was not on our side, we can still proudly say we have been there. Afterwards, we made our way to Dublin by taking a bit of a detour. In Italy, we arrived in Naples, stayed overnight near Sorrento, and visited Amalfi, which was absolutely beautiful. We then travelled to Rome to see the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and many other famous sights. I would definitely love to return to Rome one day because we did not have enough time to see and do everything — it is such a huge city. On our way back, we also visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I was surprised by how much smaller it was than I had expected.

One of the adventures I remember most happened in Paris after our trip to Disneyland. It was late, we were exhausted and not paying enough attention, so we boarded the wrong bus. When we reached the final stop, we realised we were on completely the wrong side of Paris. Although the bus number was correct, we had travelled in the opposite direction. The bus driver was incredibly kind and, using Google Translate to communicate with us, offered to drive us all the way across the city after finishing his shift — a journey of more than an hour.

During DiscoverEU, I definitely became more independent and self-confident. It was the first trip where I had been away from home and abroad without my parents for such a long time. I had to learn to rely on myself and trust that I was making the right decisions.

I also learned how to communicate more confidently with strangers because, when you are in a completely unfamiliar environment and do not know where to go or what to do, you naturally end up asking people for help or advice. I improved my planning and organisational skills too, as I had to create travel routes and daily plans, as well as manage my finances and resources both before and during the trip.

Even before this experience, I used to keep an eye on different opportunities for young people, such as Erasmus+ projects and similar programmes. That is how I discovered DiscoverEU and the chance to apply for travel passes. What motivated me to apply was the feeling that it could become a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

I have countless memories from the trip, but one of my favourites is our very first evening in Dublin. When we arrived at the hostel, we saw an announcement about a guided tour around different local entertainment spots and bars, where a guide would take participants around and tell stories about each place. We decided not to sign up for the tour and instead went to one of the bars on our own. There, we noticed lots of people wearing wristbands and realised they were actually the people from that same tour. They invited us to join them for free. So, instead of spending our first evening alone, we ended up surrounded by fun and friendly people, and I tried silent disco for the first time — which turned out to be much more enjoyable than I had expected. The following day, we spent a bit more time with some of the people we had met the night before and explored the city together. We stayed in Dublin for two days.

This trip was a huge adventure filled with challenges. Probably the biggest challenge was the language barrier because I travelled with a girl I had only known for a few months. We had met during another Erasmus+ project, and she was from Greece, so the trip became a real-life lesson in intercultural communication in an unfamiliar environment. At times, it was also difficult to navigate because the GPS did not always work properly. Our planned route was quite intense, so we could not slowly wander around the towns and cities as much as we would have liked. We often had to rush in order to catch the next train and make it to the next hostel on time. Throughout the journey, we developed our communication skills — both with each other and with other people — and greatly improved our practical navigation skills as well.

To other young people who are thinking about taking advantage of youth mobility opportunities, I would absolutely encourage them to go for it and make the most of what is available. It can be an incredible experience that helps you grow as a person and gives you the chance to meet so many wonderful people. I would also recommend taking part in any preparation sessions or activities if they are offered. Unfortunately, I could not attend them myself because we left before the training dates, but looking back now, I think they would have been very useful.

For more information about the DiscoverEU click here.

Updated on Wednesday, 20/05/2026

My name is Hugo Stokic Trkulja, I am 23 years old, I am from Spain, and I am an ESC volunteer in Zabok, Croatia. This whole adventure started with one clear idea: I wanted to live a different experience, improve my English, and discover more of the world. What better way to do it than by moving to a country I had already visited several times before? At first, I felt a bit scared because it was my first time living away from home, without my family, and having to become independent with the basics of everyday life. I only had one small advantage: the Croatian language, which I actually speak better than English. Why? Because my mother was born in Tuzla, and I have family both in Bosnia and Croatia. I spent part of my childhood here, and I have always remembered these places as the places where I felt happiest. That is why I wanted to come here, live a different experience, and learn new things. 

My volunteering project started in February 2026 and will finish in November of the same year. I share this experience with my Italian teammate, Daniele, whom I had never met before, but with whom I quickly built a great friendship. Honestly, I could not be happier with the team we have all created together. In our organisation, Mreža udruga Zagor, they take great care of us, and from the very first moment we never lacked anything. I truly believe we have built a very strong relationship. In our daily routine, we work during the mornings from Monday to Friday, which means we have afternoons and weekends free to do whatever we want. And honestly, we make great use of that time. We have travelled around Croatia, and our team has really made an effort to show us many beautiful places. In my free time, for example, I also go to the gym near my house. Even in such a short time, I already feel like I have built a home here. Of course, I miss my family a lot, my pets, and especially my mother, who is very happy that I am living this experience here — especially after all the things that have happened to us, things that had never happened before with volunteers. Honestly, I never imagined that speaking Croatian would take me to television. I still remember my arrival feeling very nervous. At the airport, late at night, Marija and Ivana were waiting for me, holding a small sign on a phone that said “Hugo.” The moment I saw it, together with the huge smiles on both of their faces, all my nerves disappeared.

During this time, many things have happened. I have learned a lot, both personally and professionally. We have taken part in activities, I have given talks, and I have shared part of my culture from Spain. But nobody told us that one day we would suddenly appear on the front page of the “Zagorski list” newspaper and across two full pages inside it. It had such a huge impact because the last thing people expected was for a Spanish guy and an Italian guy to speak Croatian. Yes — we both speak Croatian! And honestly, I never expected my teammate to speak it too, which makes things much easier for me because one of the reasons I came here was to improve my English. Just when we thought everything ended there, during our second month we were contacted to appear on television on “RTL Direkt”. More recently, we were contacted again by another very well-known Croatian TV show called “Kod nas doma” on HRT television.

 I am extremely happy with the way we have been welcomed here, and I would absolutely recommend everyone to live an experience like this. If you are reading this and thinking about doing a volunteering project related to something you enjoy, there are so many opportunities available, both short-term and long-term. Do it without fear, because life only happens once. It is better to live with a “remember when” than with a “what if.” I came here feeling scared, and without a doubt, now I could see myself living in Croatia permanently.
 

Updated on Monday, 10/08/2026

Picture this: you are a 26-year-old Italian from Bologna, Italy. You have graduated from university almost two years ago but, as it is not too uncommon in the Italian post-university life, you are struggling to find a career path which a) bears some sort of relevance to your studies; b) allows you to get a roof over your head and food on the table; and c) feels at least somewhat rewarding and fulfilling. Does it make sense to leave the (apparently) prosperous and (relatively) cosmopolitan city of Bologna for Zabok, a small town of 8,5 thousand inhabitants in Krapina-Zagorje County, Croatia, to volunteer in a youth associations network? 
As counterintuitive as it might sound, it absolutely does. 

What started as just an idea to improve my Croatian-speaking skills for “professional purposes”, turned out to be an experience which not only is truly enjoyable and enriching, but it is also teaching me a good number of valuable skills which is making me reconsider my approach to creating a future for myself. The best part about this? I found out about this possibility just because a friend randomly sent me the link to the ESC project page on WhatsApp.

At Mreža udruga Zagor (that's the name of the association), I have been put in charge of the association's magazine, Mla-dost.dobro: as Editor in Chief, I write articles, edit and select contribution from other authors, and take care of layout and graphic design elements.
I am furthermore in charge of photographing the association's workshops and activities: photography has always been a huge passion of mine, which I had sadly put aside due to life circumstances, but now, thanks to the magazine and my documentation activities, I have been given a great chance to pick up my camera again and greatly improve my composition and editing skills. 

As for life outside of the office? Volunteering away from the big cities in a smaller, quasi-rural reality might for some seem discouraging, but certainly has its positives sides. Having already had my “big city experience“ in Zagreb during my Erasmus semester in university, coming to a smaller community like Zabok allowed me to get a more authentic Croatian experience. Gone are the long-tram journeys, the big events tailored for international audiences, the comfortable yet inauthentic “Erasmus bubble”: here, you get a real window into Croatial lifestyle, and get first-hand experience of the unfiltered beauty of its customs and traditions through your everyday interactions with people. And the nature? Just wonderful: there is a reason the hills here are known as the Zagorje Zelene (“Zagorje Greens“).

The experience does not, of course, come without its hardships.As my volunteering partner (Hugo, from Spain) does not speak English all that well but, much like me, speaks Croatian somewhat decently, I found myself in a situation in which both at home and at work I exclusively speak Croatian: misunderstandings are frequent, you kind of miss the capacity for self-expression you have in a language you are more comfortable with and, after a whole day of speaking in a language you are not particularly fluent in, your head hurts a bit. However, carrying on through the hardships of being in a culture you are not yet fully familiar instead of segregating yourself in an English-speaking bubble opens doors which would be inaccessible otherwise, and at least here in Croatia is reciprocated with great warmth and respect from the locals. 
Much to my amazement (or should I say: confusion?) I and Hugo have also been on national television twice in the first three months alone, basically for just existing and trying our best to speak Croatian in Zagorje. Imagine hearing the host of a very popular transmission announcing the show's very serious reports, ranging from fuel prices skyrocketing due to the conflict in Iran to alerts due to incoming storms, to then finish with “what are an Italian and a Spainard doing in Zagorje?“ 

Overall, I would truly recommend volunteering in a smaller reality such as Zabok to those who to get an authentic experience of life in a given country and are committed to learning its language and culture. I am extremely satisfied with mine, and, without specific expectations, I am looking forward to what the following months have in store for me.
 

Updated on Tuesday, 19/05/2026