I never thought my volunteer experience would end the way it did. Leaving a week early, out of the blue, due to family medical emergencies was incredibly hard. Without warning, I packed my entire life into two days and simply left. I didn’t have enough time to say proper goodbyes or to truly process what I was doing; I was leaving my life and Bremen behind.
Now, two weeks later, Bremen doesn’t feel real. It feels distant and far away, and that brings a certain sadness. I felt emotionally blocked after leaving because I knew it was time to face everything at once: grief, a breakup, and perhaps a “leaving-Bremen-what-do-I-do-now” identity crisis? I have the mechanisms to deal with these things separately, but all together? I’m still figuring out how I feel and trying to navigate it all. But if Bremen taught me anything, it’s that I know how to handle these emotions. It may take time, and the process will be hard, but I know it will also be beautiful.
I’ve reflected and learned so much during my time as a volunteer. I have written much of this in previous reports, so I think the best way to finish this final one is to share what I will miss:
- Going to Eis Molin for ice cream
- Having cute candlelit dinners with my roommates.
- Singing Pinguini with my new karaoke partner.
- Walking to the Waterfront at night to see the winter lights on the river.
- Running in the snow and learning that walking is medicine—a must, even in -10 degrees, snowstorms, or rain.
- The huge poster of Orlando Bloom in the bathroom always watching over us.
- Biking to Blockland.
- Winning every foosball tournament during bouldering breaks.
- Meals at the Uni Mensa and its ice cream.
- The Deutsche Bahn, the Deutschlandticket, and those constant Verspätungen (and of course, Giuseppe’s own constant Verspätungen).
- Learning to love puzzles.
- The satisfaction of climbing with the right people.
- The freedom of a night FlixBus to Paris
- The “stolen” Ferrero Rochers.
- Woanders and becoming their biggest fans.
- J-R. as a concept.
- The green couch in Kulturhaus.
- Lumpi
- Magic tricks with my hair elastic.
- Walks in the frozen forest.
- Random sleepovers at the university.
- Watching the level crossing close right in front of us.
- Summer festivals.
- The donkey and the sunsets at the farm.
- Studying German in the park.
- Learning to slackline
- Swimming in Waller Lake.
- Russian dumplings
- Friends coming to visit and falling in love with the city just like I did.
- Our big, fat, yellow cat neighbor.
- My little corner at the office.
- Deep topics in German class and the bravery of trying to speak the language.
- Trips to Hamburg, visits to Uniqlo, and ice cream from any Rewe I could find.
- Winning the Tombola
- Movie nights with the projector.
- Games at Papp.
- NK events.
- …
- The streets of Gröppelingen.
- Feeling like part of the community.
- The cold showers.
- And even the judgmental faces of people when I cross the street on a red light.
But what I will miss most is the version of me that I created and evolved into during this experience. In Bremen, everything moved faster. Challenges became tools for growth, and every day was a chance to discover something new. I am so proud of the woman who never gave up and kept going, even when it wasn’t easy.
I hope this new version of me comes along on the next adventure. Switzerland is waiting, and I’m taking her with me.
Thanks to everyone who was part of this beautiful journey.
Cati
08.05.2026
Cati was hosted by NaturKultur, part of the on our project co-funded by the European Union.
If you want to experience something similar to what Cati did, check out our open calls here.
