Volunteering in Lithuania

My name is Isa and I volunteered in Lithuania for 11 months. My stay there was a wonderful time that I look back on fondly.
My responsibilities at the youth centre included spending time with visitors, helping with events, and realizing my own projects. For example, I started a crochet workshop and gave several presentations on topics that were important to me. I also diligently decorated the centre, leaving behind small mementos of myself in the form of murals, crocheted pendants, and decorated records.
An unexpected challenge that I attempted with other volunteers was to teach English to Lithuanian adults in the form of regular lessons.

It was a wonderful experience to use my skills to be an asset to the youth centre and my fellow human beings.

This time has taught me a lot and changed me as a person. It's difficult to put into words exactly how. But I've gained a great deal of life experience. A key realization for me was that every person on this planet is simply human, and while we are all shaped by different experiences and speak different languages, we can still work together and understand each other well. I've become better at approaching people openly, and I've also learned that good times always follow bad ones.

There's so much I'm taking away from my volunteer work. New friends, new skills, new ideas, but especially the memories. Memories of big events, like the training weeks and the Pride parade in Vilnius, but also of countless little things that meant a lot to me. Whether it was late-night walks with other volunteers in our small town or bus rides through the beautiful Lithuanian countryside. Singing karaoke with friends and new acquaintances, and later standing barefoot in a fountain because someone told us it was a tradition among international volunteers. Conversations in Lithuanian with people at the youth centre and understanding for the first time what a woman on the street was asking me. Being given an ice cream and going to a pretty area with my mentor because I'd had an exceptionally bad day up until then. Exploring Lithuania on our bikes with other volunteers. These are moments I cherish and occasionally recall with a smile.

I can wholeheartedly recommend doing volunteer work. With the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), virtually all costs (transportation, rent, food, etc.) are covered; it's a really excellent program accessible to almost all young EU citizens. I believe the world would be a better place if more people volunteered. :)
 

Updated on Tirsdag, 24/02/2026