It has already been 8 months since I started my volunteering journey, and time has passed so quickly. Sometimes it feels like I just arrived, but when I look back, I see how much has happened and how much I’ve grown. Recently, I took part in my midterm seminar, which was a great moment to reflect on everything I’ve experienced. It reminded me of how many new things I’ve learned and how far I’ve come since the beginning.
My work has been truly fulfilling. I had the chance to organize an activity on my own. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me a lot and gave me a new sense of responsibility. I visited schools, youth centres and refugee camps, which helped me understand German culture and the system much better. I saw how many opportunities young people have here, and that made me really happy for them. At the same time, it made me think about my own country, where many young people don’t get the same support. It reminded me how important equal chances are and how much of a difference they can make in someone’s life.Over these months I have travelled to different cities, spent hours on trains, sometimes more than I wanted. I stayed consistent with the gym, even when I felt lazy. I met new people and grew closer to those I already knew. My German got better. I was in the city centre asking people for their opinions on the European Union, went home for a visit, tried a dance class, made (unsuccessfully) Dubai chocolate, experimented with new recipes, and even tried writing a project proposal.Now that I’m getting closer to the end of my volunteering, many new thoughts and feelings are coming up. A lot of my friends here are applying to universities, looking for jobs or preparing to return to their home countries. We are all starting to think seriously about what comes next. I used to believe I had plenty of time to decide, but now I realise how quickly time passes. This realisation puts pressure on me but also motivates me to take the next steps and plan my future more clearly.
If I need to choose one thing that people thinking of applying should know, it is that this journey is only yours. No one has the same story. It is one year to become the best version of yourself. So, if you are even considering it and decide to apply, just do it.
Sandra is hosted by NaturKultur e.V. on our project co-funded by the European Union.
If you want to experience something similar to what Sandra did, check out our open calls here.
