Volunteering through the European Solidarity Corps in Oradea, Romania has been a truly enriching experience for me, both personally and professionally. Since arriving at the Youth Center Bihor, I have had the opportunity to organize and facilitate different activities for young people, including workshops, debates, intercultural events and environmental activities. One of the topics I particularly enjoy working on is environmental awareness, especially helping young people understand climate issues through simple discussions and everyday actions that can make a positive difference.
What I enjoy the most about this experience is the human aspect of it. Every activity is an opportunity to meet new people, exchange ideas and create meaningful connections with participants from different backgrounds and cultures. Working in an international environment has helped me become more open-minded, adaptable and confident in myself. It also pushed me out of my comfort zone in many positive ways.
Through this volunteering project, I discovered how important youth spaces can be for a community. The Youth Center is not only a place where activities happen, but also a safe and welcoming environment where young people can express themselves, meet others and feel included. Seeing participants enjoy the activities, share their opinions and simply have a good time together is one of the most rewarding parts of my experience.
Beyond the activities themselves, this project has taught me valuable skills in communication, teamwork, event organization and public speaking. It has also confirmed my interest in working on projects linked to youth participation, intercultural exchange and environmental awareness in the future.
For me, volunteering abroad is much more than just gaining experience. It is about learning from others, discovering new perspectives and contributing, even in small ways, to a more connected and supportive community.
