Saioa Arribillaga San Martín
25/09/2026
Before arriving in Trnava, I knew I was about to live something completely different from my everyday life, I was going to spend 23 days in Slovakia as part of the European Solidarity Corps, surrounded by a different culture and language. I was excited about travelling and discovering a new place, but I did not expect how much the experience itself would teach me. These 23 days became an opportunity not only to discover Slovakia, but also to discover new ways of working, connecting with people and seeing the world.
During my ESC experience, I had the opportunity to live and work in an international environment, surrounded by young people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. Sharing our everyday lives allowed me to discover different ways of thinking, communicating and working. At first, adapting to a completely new environment and meeting so many new people could feel challenging, but little by little, these differences became one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
The volunteering project was connected to European Mobility Week and focused on sustainable mobility and youth participation. Throughout these weeks, we took part in different activities, workshops and events related to cycling, public transport, sustainable cities and alternative ways of moving around the city. We also had the opportunity to interact with local people and young students, which helped us understand the community we were working with and see how volunteering can have an impact beyond the group of volunteers themselves.
One of the things I enjoyed most was being able to actively participate in the project. We were not simply there to observe or follow a programme. We could share our own ideas, contribute to activities and work together to make them happen. This taught me that volunteering is not only about giving your time to a project, but also about bringing your own experiences and ideas while being open to learning from everyone around you.
Living abroad has also taught me things that are difficult to learn in a classroom. Being away from my usual environment meant adapting to a new routine, communicating in another language, solving everyday situations independently and learning to be comfortable with uncertainty. Not everything always went exactly as planned, but those moments were also part of the learning process. They taught me to be more flexible and to see unexpected situations as opportunities rather than problems.
Of course, travelling was also an important part of the experience. Exploring Trnava and other places in Slovakia, discovering new cities, trying different food and simply walking around somewhere completely unfamiliar made these weeks even more special.
Before coming to Slovakia, I thought I would return home with photographs and memories of a new country. Instead, I am leaving with much more, new friendships, new experiences, greater independence and a different perspective on the world around me.
My ESC experience has reminded me that going abroad is not only about discovering a new place, it is about discovering new ways of living, working and connecting with people. Sometimes, you have to leave your usual environment to realise how much you can learn, change and grow.
23 days, countless experiences, and much more than just a trip.
Saoia from Spain
