Volunteering with ESC is more than working without remuneration, as some people might think. From my personal experience, I can say that this is what educated me the most and helped to determine my life priorities. A few years ago, I had different principles to follow, focusing mostly on the formal learning and financial goals. Lately, through all the Erasmus+ opportunities, I realized that there are more sources of true happiness. Here I mean the connection with the nature, the healthy mindset, the gratitude received, life long friendship, the social impact you create.

Hi! My name is Zümrüt Mazlum. I am 23 years old and currently, I am in Craiova, Romania for a 2-month volunteering project. First of all, I was very excited to come to Craiova. I was so glad to know I was accepted for the project and I immediately started to research for Craiova. From what I’ve seen on the internet, the buildings, structures, streets, parks in the photos looked very beautiful.

Our volunteering adventure began when our plane land over Bucharest on the 25th of April, 2021. We arrived at Craiova, our home for the following two months, after approximately 3 hours of a train trip. Unfortunately, we stayed in quarantine at our home for ten days because of the increasing Covid-19 cases in Turkey, and we get to know the city with a bit of delay. During house quarantine, our housemates, the other volunteer friends, our mentor Andi, and our project’s coordinator Adrian always asked about our needs and behaved us very kindly. Thanks to them, my nightmares about quarantine became pleasant times.

Salut! I am Cansu and in this paper, I will talk about my very first days in Romania/Craiova. I am here as a volunteer for an EVS project organized by Tinerii3D. First of all, Romania is my first station in Europe and I came here with my two friends. When I reached the airport, I thought so many bad things were going to happen to me but thankfully everything went so well because the host place sent us all the instructions. After we landed, we took a bus to Gara De Nord. My friends and I had a meal quickly and took the train. When I first came to Romania, I was very impressed by the warmness of the people.

For 2.5 months ago, I was not aware of these types of volunteering projects. On the occasion of a friend, I had learned what are these projects and why should I apply for them. After that, without waiting a second, I had applied for this project. To explain why I become a volunteer, at first I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to explore a new country. To know a country means, to develop my personality and a flawless chance to know the different cultures for me. Except from that, I was always interested in social responsibility projects but I was never able to find a way to attend one. Hereby, to add things to people as much as it is possible and to share somethings internationally, I had applied to this programme.

Hello, I’m Damla Keleş. Until a month ago, I was a university student living in Antalya. I am currently volunteer in the Seeds of Solidarity project in Craiova. Why I Chose To Be Volunteer? From the first moment I started to know myself, I was aware that I was interested in different cultures and loved meeting new people. I have always tried to be in a multicultural environment. I saw volunteering projects as one of the best areas where I could get to know and develop myself. The thing that attracted me the most about international volunteering projects was that they took place in multi-cultural environments and at the same time I was able to improve myself. I am about to complete the first month of my project and I am happy that I chose to be volunteer.

The world that we’ve lived in full of opportunities, where the leaders can contribute themselves and impact the world. And with busy lives of us, it’s hard to find time for being a volunteer of any organization. However, the benefits of volunteering can be enormous. Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you. In that article we will discuss the benefits of volunteering and why choose to be a volunteer.