From France to Craiova: Two Volunteers, One Unforgettable ESC Experience
15-06-2026
What happens when two young people from France swap their hometown for a youth centre in Craiova, full of kids, games and a brand-new language to figure out? You get exactly the kind of story we love to tell.
Natalia and Milan joined us in Craiova as international volunteers through the European Solidarity Corps, hosted by Tinerii 3D. Their main mission: bringing energy to the daily life of our youth centre and running activities with children and teenagers of all ages. Here is how they remember it, in their own words.
Natalia: discovering a culture, one activity at a time
For Natalia, volunteering in Romania turned into a crash course in culture, language and connection:
“I really loved my volunteering experience in Romania — I think it allowed me to discover and learn so many things! I got to take part in activities at the youth centre and to organise games and activities with the children. I think it truly let me discover the culture and the language. It was a very enriching experience!”
Milan: learning to adapt, and learning to enjoy it
Milan’s role meant constantly switching gears between age groups — and finding his own rhythm with the help of our youth workers:
“I went to Romania as part of a European Solidarity Corps project. My main role was to lead and take part in the daily life of a youth centre where the children and teenagers were of different ages. I had to adapt to the different age groups and suggest or run activities — cooking, indoor games, outdoor games, and so on. Some groups were easier for me to organise and run activities with, but overall, whenever we ran into difficulties, the youth workers helped us find a way forward. The centre was very open and let me choose activities based on my own preferences and those of the children.”
And his advice for anyone thinking about doing the same?
“The main piece of advice I’d give future volunteers is to have fun and share plenty of moments with the children and teenagers at the centre.”
What their stories have in common
Different personalities, same takeaway: an open, welcoming space where you’re trusted to bring your own ideas, supported when things get tricky, and surrounded by kids whose energy is impossible not to catch. Natalia leaned into the culture and the language; Milan into adapting and creating. Both left with new skills, real friendships and memories that stick.
That is exactly what hosting international volunteers is about for us — and watching Craiova become a second home for young people from across Europe never gets old.
Want to volunteer in Romania, just like Natalia and Milan?
These stories aren’t the exception for us — they’re the everyday. Tinerii 3D is ESC-accredited for both sending and hosting, and we’ve already welcomed more than 150 international volunteers to Craiova. The best part: volunteering through the European Solidarity Corps covers your travel, accommodation and food, and gives you a monthly allowance on top. In other words, you get to discover a new country, learn a new language and make friends from all over Europe — without paying for it out of your own pocket.
Ready to make Craiova your next adventure?
Follow us on social media and at tinerii3d.ro so you never miss a volunteering opportunity.
