In July, I began my volunteering project at Jugendfreizeitheim Gröpelingen in Bremen through the European Solidarity Corps. It was my first month in Germany and the beginning of a completely new experience — living, learning, and working in a multicultural youth center. From the first day, I felt the atmosphere of energy, friendliness, and openness that defines this place. The young people come every afternoon to play, talk, and join different activities, and I quickly became part of this daily rhythm.
During my first weeks, I focused on getting to know the team, the structure of the center, and the regular visitors. My colleagues welcomed me warmly and were always ready to explain things and include me in activities. I helped during cooking evenings, small tournaments, and creative workshops, and I started to learn badminton, something I had never tried before and now enjoy playing with the youth.
At the beginning, one of my challenges was communicating in German, since my level was still basic. However, being surrounded by native speakers every day helped me learn quickly. I began using simple sentences, understanding common phrases, and gaining confidence in speaking. The young people were very supportive and patient, often helping me find the right words.
Outside the youth center, I also joined NaturKultur’s on-arrival training, where I met other volunteers living across Germany. The seminar helped me gain a deeper understanding of the ESC program, our rights and responsibilities, and how to make this year meaningful both personally and professionally.
July was full of new beginnings and first-time experiences, from discovering Bremen and Gröpelingen’s multicultural atmosphere to joining teamwork in a youth environment. I learned how to adapt to a new country, communicate across languages, and participate in group activities that bring people together.
Even though it was only my first month, I already felt part of a community that values inclusion, creativity, and support. I’m looking forward to the next months, where I can grow further, share my own ideas for workshops, and continue learning from everyone around me.
Best,
Naim Mutiev
Naim is hosted by NaturKultur on our project co-funded by the European Union.
If you want to experience something similar to what Naim did, check out our open calls here.
