As part of this project, I participated in volunteering activities in Bremen, Germany, for one year. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed into a warm and friendly environment thanks to the kind, cheerful, and helpful people around me. This made me feel at home. My main goals were to support the activities and build intercultural connections. I achieved these goals, and the experience directly contributed to my personal development.
Bremen offered an ideal environment that exceeded my expectations with its fascinating architecture and peaceful living spaces. Thanks to the city’s bicycle-friendly infrastructure and well-developed public transportation network, adapting to local life was a quick and comfortable process. The combination of a rich history and modern spaces greatly increased my motivation.
Although I arrived with only a basic knowledge of German, being surrounded by native German speakers helped me improve my language skills. In particular, everyday conversations made learning more natural and gave me the confidence to use the language actively.
My colleagues played a very important role in shaping my positive experience throughout the project. They supported me in every way. They were not just colleagues; they became like family to me. I will miss them very much. The most valuable thing this project gave me was the opportunity to meet them. Unfortunately, being apart from them is what saddens me the most right now. Even writing these words makes me emotional. I would love to visit Bremen one day just to see them again. I also hope they will visit my country. The thought that I might never see them again would truly make me very sad.
In addition, the seminars we attended provided both an enjoyable and informative experience and a wonderful opportunity to socialise. It was lovely to share our memories and exchange advice with other volunteers.
Through these seminars, I gained an in-depth understanding of the host country’s legal procedures, my rights, and my responsibilities, which helped me adapt to my role in the project much more quickly. Meeting fellow volunteers from different countries who were participating in volunteering projects across Germany allowed me to exchange experiences, discuss crisis management, and share good practices with people going through similar situations. The workshops helped me become more aware of my own learning process and apply what I had learned to the competencies I needed to develop. These seminars not only helped me build an international network but also significantly improved my self-confidence, communication skills, and motivation for my future career.
Reflecting on all these experiences after completing my project has helped me appreciate even more how much I have grown and developed throughout this year.
This ESC project was a turning point in my life. The experiences and skills I gained will play a significant role in shaping my future plans. After the project, I aim to continue participating in solidarity activities in my home country and take an active role in local youth initiatives.
Zülal has done her voluntary service at Friedehorst Teilhabe Leben ; her project was co-financed under the European Solidarity Corps program.
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