Being halfway through my European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteering project feels like an important milestone. It is a good moment to look back at everything I have experienced so far, think about what I have learned, and start considering what I want to do next. My midterm training in Komárno, Slovakia, gave me the perfect opportunity to do exactly that.
The training brought together ESC volunteers from different projects, giving us a chance to reflect, exchange experiences, discover new opportunities, and simply enjoy spending time with people who are on a similar journey.
A Day Trip to Visegrád, Hungary
One of the highlights of the midterm training was our trip to Visegrád, Hungary. It is a stunning town surrounded by beautiful nature, with an impressive castle overlooking the Danube.
Me and my co-volunteer visited the castle, explored the town, and tried some local Hungarian food. We also had the chance to meet ESC volunteers who are doing their projects in Hungary.
For me, this was one of the nicest parts of the trip. It was really interesting to hear about their projects and compare their volunteering experiences with mine. Even though we are all taking part in ESC, every project and every volunteer’s experience is different. We shared stories about our projects, challenges, activities, and everyday life as volunteers.
It was a great opportunity to exchange experiences, make new connections, and network with other young people involved in ESC. Meeting volunteers from another country also reminded me how international the ESC community really is.
Sharing Ideas on How to Improve ESC
The training was not only about travelling and exploring. We also had several group-work sessions where we discussed our experiences as ESC volunteers.
One of the activities I found particularly interesting was developing recommendations for National Agencies on how the ESC experience could be improved for volunteers. We talked about what works well and what could be done differently, especially when it comes to preparation, communication, information, and support.
I liked having the opportunity to share my own perspective and hear what volunteers from other projects had experienced. It showed me that although our projects can be very different, we sometimes face similar situations and challenges.
Exploring Komárno
Another day was spent in Komárno, the Slovak town where our midterm training took place. Me and my co-volunteer had some time to explore the town and discover its atmosphere.
It was nice to combine the training sessions with actually seeing the place we were staying in. Komárno has an interesting location on the Slovak-Hungarian border, so after our trip to Visegrád, it was another chance to experience the connection between the two countries.
What Comes After ESC?
One of the most useful sessions for me was about Erasmus+ and other opportunities available to young people after volunteering.
We learned about different possibilities to continue travelling, learning, participating in international projects, and developing new skills after ESC. I found this session especially useful because I am already halfway through my project, so naturally I have started thinking more about what I might want to do after my volunteering experience comes to an end.
It was great to discover that there are so many opportunities available and that finishing an ESC project does not necessarily mean the end of international experiences.
Reflecting on Half of My Volunteering Journey
An important part of the midterm training was reflection. I have now completed half of my volunteering project, which made this a good moment to think about everything that has happened since I arrived.
I reflected on what I have learned, the experiences I have had, the challenges I have faced, and the ways in which I have developed both personally and professionally.
When you are living your everyday life as a volunteer, it can sometimes be difficult to notice how much has happened in just a few months. Taking some time to reflect helped me see my journey from a different perspective and think about what I would still like to experience and achieve during the second half of my project.
Learning More About Youthpass
We also had sessions dedicated to Youthpass and how to complete it correctly.
Before the session, I knew about Youthpass, but it was useful to understand better how to describe the things I am learning during my volunteering project. We talked about learning outcomes, skills, and competences and how we can document them through Youthpass.
The session also reminded me that learning during ESC does not happen only during organised activities. It happens through everyday situations, working with other people, communicating in an international environment, solving problems, travelling, and adapting to life in another country.
Ready for the Second Half
My midterm training in Komárno was a really nice combination of learning, reflection, travelling, cultural exchange, and meeting new people. I especially enjoyed our trip to Visegrád, meeting Hungarian ESC volunteers, sharing experiences with other participants, and learning more about the opportunities that are available after ESC.
Now that I have completed half of my volunteering journey, the training gave me a chance to appreciate everything I have already experienced while also thinking about what I want from the months ahead.
Half of the project is already behind me, but there is still plenty of time for new experiences, new people, new challenges, and new memories.
