Hi again! It’s Luna!
Exactly a year and 3 days ago (at least while I’m writing), I arrived in Bremen with very few plans and absolutely no idea what to expect. I had left Spain during a difficult period, hoping that volunteering on a farm would help me reconnect with myself and discover something new. In my first report, I wrote that coming here was one of the best decisions I’d ever made. Well, I still think it was a good one, although a lot has changed since then!
I still remember my first impression of Bremen: “All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey,” just like in California Dreamin’. Unfamiliar streets, autumn leaves everywhere, and that fresh excitement of starting something completely new.
Even though the long winter was tough, and at one point I was pretty sure I would end up going back home, Bremen has a funny way of growing on you. Then spring came, the winter blues slowly faded, and I started making new connections and seeing the city in a completely different light. The longer you stay, the more you discover: little alternative cafés, parks, hidden corners and places you somehow hadn’t noticed before.
My volunteering experience at the farm has been an important part of this journey. Working with animals, organising activities with children, helping with gardening and maintenance, and sharing everyday life with people from different backgrounds has taught me more than I expected. Some days were physically demanding, and cleaning up after animals wasn’t always glamorous! But I particularly enjoyed the creative activities with children and spending time outdoors.
Socially, though, things were a little different from what I expected. I would have loved to have more events and opportunities to connect with other volunteers. I haven’t actually made that many friends through volunteering itself, so I had to take the initiative and meet people on my own.
And that’s exactly what I did! Going out, attending parties, joining activities and sometimes just putting myself out there. That’s how I met a lovely group of Spanish people who have become some of my closest friends here, alongside other friendships I’ve made at different parties and social gatherings. One of my favourite memories was going to Hamburg Pride together (that’s actually one of the photos I’m attaching!). I’ve also made a little group of girlfriends at my gym.
Something I’ve learned is how important it is to keep doing the things you enjoyed back home. Moving abroad doesn’t mean reinventing yourself completely. Keeping your hobbies, routines and familiar activities makes a new place feel much more welcoming. For me, going to the gym, spending time with friends and discovering my favourite spots around Bremen have made a real difference.
And of course, I haven’t stopped travelling! Thanks to the Deutschlandticket, I’ve explored different parts of Germany, visited new cities and discovered places without spending too much money.
Of course, not everything has been easy. The language is still a barrier, and I wish I’d had the opportunity to take an intensive German course. English works in international environments, but everyday life is different. I want to continue studying because speaking better German would make me feel more independent and integrated.
And now another chapter is beginning. I’ve recently moved in with new flatmates and started a new job at an alternative bistro. I’m excited about both changes! The bistro is becoming another part of the little family I’m building in Bremen, alongside the farm, my friends and the gym.
Winter is approaching again, but I think this one might be easier than the last. Not because the weather will improve, but because I’m better surrounded.
Does that mean I’ve decided to stay forever? Not at all! I still have my doubts. For now, I’ve decided to stay a little longer, improve my German and see where life takes me.
Would I recommend volunteering abroad? Yes! Not because everything magically becomes better, but because it gives you the chance to step outside your usual environment, meet people and discover different ways of living. Just remember that building a life somewhere new also takes effort and initiative.
See you around Bremen!
Luna has done her voluntary service at Ohlenhof Erlebnisfarm ; her project was co-financed under the European Solidarity Corps program.
If you’d like to experience something similar to Luna, check out our calls here.
