Unique experience at the Black Sea coast

Здравейте! My name is Aurore, I’m 24 years old and I come from the South of France. I started in September 2020 and for one year, a European Solidarity Corps project at the French Alliance of Varna, ​​in eastern Bulgaria, on the Black Sea coast.

After my graduation, I decided to go to the University and study Law. But at one point, I started to wonder about what exactly I wanted to do after my studies, and at the same time, I wanted to live a different experience, especially abroad. I finally found the perfect answer: the European Solidarity Corps. This program gave me the possibility to work in a field that interests me and would help me in my future professional choices, while discovering a new culture and living a completely new experience. I found a one-year educational and cultural mission in the French Alliance of Varna!

Before embarking on this adventure, I was really stressed because everything was totally new for me. First, I always followed the classical academic way, and volunteering abroad was not planned in my roadmap. Besides, I had never been in a country so far and for such a long time. But this stress vanished as soon as I moved into my new home and started my mission. I arrived in an alternative place, colorful and multicultural. From day one, I felt surrounded. I met a lot of young volunteers and European students with whom I travelled, discovered the nightlife by the sea, or even learned Bulgarian dance! From day one, I also found meaning in what was going to be my job for one year. I had various missions such as communication tasks, helping in the organization of cultural events, promoting the French culture and cultural exchanges by meeting young students… I even had the opportunity to create my own events, like conferences or workshops, about subjects that fascinate me and that I wanted to share.

After this volunteering, I realized that embarking on this adventure was the best decision I could take! It was an enrichment in two aspects. First, it helped me to find my professional way: thanks to that experience I will start a new master degree in a field that really suits me. Secondly, it was an amazing life experience: I travelled a lot, I made friends from all over the world, and I tried new activities I never thought I would do in my life! After this beautiful year, I feel more confident, happier, and I can just conclude by one thing: don’t hesitate, just do it!

Updated on Þriðjudagur, 17/02/2026