It all started the day I applied to join the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) program. I was full of excitement — and just a little anxious. I was about to begin an unfamiliar journey, surrounded by people I had never met before. But deep down, I had a strong feeling that this experience would help me grow in many ways.
On the first day, as I stepped into the hall where the program kicked off, I looked around, searching for new friends. At first, we were all strangers — but soon warm conversations began. In those early days, I supported various team-building and leadership activities, guided by the experienced youth workers from Youth for Equality. Together, we explored the basics of project planning and event organization. Every activity taught me something new — not only about leadership, but also about how to collaborate effectively.
One day, I shared an idea with the team: starting a multilingual speaking club. The aim was to help participants overcome language barriers and strengthen intercultural understanding. With the support of the organization, we practiced English and held informal conversations in several languages. This experience helped me improve my own communication skills, especially with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Another important part of my ESC journey was supporting the team in visits to local high schools, where we provided information about Erasmus+ opportunities and international volunteering. It was truly fulfilling to help inspire young people to explore the world — and I gained valuable public speaking and presentation skills in the process.
Throughout the project, I also discovered my entrepreneurial spirit. By helping to develop activities like project proposals, assisting with event logistics, and co-leading language club sessions, I learned how to turn creative ideas into action. 💡 I also started seeing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
The ESC program also introduced me to new digital tools. I supported the team by working on WordPress websites and creating visual content in Canva. 🌟 These experiences gave me practical skills in digital communication and helped amplify our projects to a broader audience. I even got a behind-the-scenes look at Erasmus+ portals, which helped me better understand how international youth work is organized.
This 10-month journey has given me far more than just technical skills. It gave me unforgettable memories, new friendships, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a team working for social good. 💫 With everything I’ve learned, I now look to the future with greater confidence and clarity.
The European Solidarity Corps gave me the space to grow — both personally and professionally — and I know that this experience will guide me as I take the next steps in life.
Mahmut
