If you want to do something socially impactful and completely different, the ESC (European Solidarity Corps) is for you. Here is what I am taking away from my project in Spain.
1.Break the system
Becoming an ESC volunteer was a complete change for me. Moving to another country, living with people I had seen once on a zoom call, and committing to a 10 month long project were all big changes. One of my first lessons there was to “break the system“. This is the idea of doing something new (big or small) so that you experience as much of life as possible and grow your confidence. My volunteering was a big break in my system. I was inspired to keep going by travelling to new places, learning new skills and exploring as much as I could.
2.Take initiative
The ESC volunteering is unique in that it gives both an opportunity to contribute and to learn. As a volunteer I was encouraged to be proactive and create new ideas for workshops, events, and activities. This helped me feel more incorporated in the Youth Centre where I volunteered. Taking initiative helps beyond the professional field, it is useful when navigating a new culture or dealing with personal challenges.
3.Have goals
Even long term ESC projects go by really fast. I learned that setting goals for my volunteering helped me be more aware of what I was doing and how I could improve. It is also useful when the project is almost over and you can look back at your progress. Goals can be both professional and personal, because the learning doesn’t stop at the entrance of your volunteering location.
4.Focus more on giving
The core of ESC is solidarity. For me it was important to remind myself of how I can contribute and what I could give to the project. The role of the volunteer is unique. You are not an employee, but someone who can give a different perspective, new ideas and realize unique projects. It is enjoyable, creative and fulfilling when the focus is on creating something useful and beneficial for the others.
5.It’s a learning process
Sometimes during my project, I faced challenges with tasks or topics within the Erasmus+ world. For example, I was researching how Erasmus+ project proposals are written. It’s safe to say that it was a complex subject to learn about. In such moments a useful reminder is that volunteering is a learning process. It is flexible and adaptive and the more you are open to learn the better. So the focus is more on the learning rather than producing a perfect result from your first try.
6.Say “Yes”
However long your project is, it is an experience full of opportunities if you are open to them. Even when something was new or out of my comfort zone, I never regretted saying yes to activities, projects or trips. This leads me to the next lesson:
7.Participate and be curious (in society, the project, the local culture, in everything)
In addition to saying “yes”, make sure you actively participate in what’s happening around you. Many cultural activities or volunteer related tasks will make a lasting impression and teach you a lot if you have an open mind and remain curious. Approaching celebrations, traditions and activities with a positive mindset helped me enjoy, learn and contribute freely.
8.Challenge yourself while knowing your boundaries
My focus in this article was on the importance of saying yes and trying new things. I stand by that. However, it is healthy to challenge yourself while knowing your boundaries. Mental health is an important factor of your overall health and the ability to contribute as a volunteer. Being able to communicate well and share my boundaries helped me consistently and positively fulfill my role.
9.Do not take anything for granted
Being an ESC Volunteer is once in a lifetime opportunity. I will never again experience the joy of moving to Maracena, Granada and becoming close friends with 4 strangers who were both my roommates and colleagues. For me, it was important to take in everything and appreciate all experiences even when they were the most challenging.
10.Reflect often
To be able to appreciate everything, I made sure to document my process by writing, and making photos and videos. There are many ways to keep track and personally reflect on your experience. It is valuable to do it from the very start and record your experiences when they are fresh in your memory, otherwise everything mixes together. Reflection also helped me be more self-aware and learn from what I have been doing.
I can wholeheartedly say that being an ESC volunteer broadened my perspective, taught me a lot and changed me in the best possible ways.
-Lilia Kostova
