A Volunteering experience that opened our eyes — Reflections from Slovakia
By Mariella, Irene, and Bogna
Volunteering can be a transformative experience — not only because you help others, but because you challenge yourself, grow personally and professionally, and discover new perspectives. We recently took part in a three-week European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteering project in Trnava, Slovakia during City Health Week, organized by the non-profit organization Youth for Equality. Here’s how it impacted our lives.
🌍 Mariella’s experience: Living and volunteering in an international environment
When I first saw the list of volunteers, I was fascinated to see how many different countries were represented: Finland, Turkey, Armenia, Poland, Italy… I was also a bit nervous — how would it feel to live and collaborate with people from such different cultural backgrounds?
Those worries quickly disappeared when I met my flatmates. Although I had never lived with anyone outside my family, I immediately felt comfortable. After our volunteer activities, we would often gather on the couch and talk for hours — about life, culture, the future… These conversations were so inspiring, especially for me, just out of school and still shaping my own path.
Even in our project work, I always felt we were working together. Sometimes communication was a challenge — English wasn’t the mother tongue for any of us — but we learned to ask more, listen better, and support each other. Preparing a workshop with three other volunteers was especially interesting. We all had different approaches, and although it was challenging at first, we found a way to combine our ideas under the lead of experienced youth workers.
These three weeks were intense and inspiring. I learned so much about life in other European countries, about myself, and about how powerful it is to stay open to other people and perspectives.
🇸🇰 Irene’s experience: Discovering Slovakia and connecting through shared moments
Before coming to Slovakia, I was nervous — I didn’t know what to expect. But now that this journey has come to an end, I’m incredibly grateful for all the new adventures I’ve experienced.
The project was designed in a way that gave us free time after activities and on weekends. We used that time to relax or explore. Trnava is a well-connected, clean, and green city. I loved its unexpected gems like the Synagogue Café — a café in a beautifully restored synagogue. Every weekend, the local market filled the town center with fresh produce, flowers, and delicious Slovak specialties like halušky.
Youth for Equality even provided us with bicycles, which made it easy to get around — and I was amazed at how many bike paths the city had!
Besides our main volunteering tasks, we were offered many side activities: Spanish lessons, art therapy, dance classes… These helped us connect even more as a group. Evenings together — like when we all watched Eurovision — made it feel like a little family.
This experience made me more independent and more open to others. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to challenge themselves, meet amazing people, and create unforgettable memories.
💡 Bogna’s experience: A break that changed everything
For me, this project was a much-needed break from daily life and a chance to reflect on my career path. As a pediatric physiotherapist, I’d been working mainly with children in individual sessions — but I missed working in teams, developing soft skills, and creating something together with other adults.
Through this ESC volunteering project, I got all of that and more. I realized how much I enjoy working in an international environment, and how much I’ve grown — especially in communication, teamwork, and confidence in English. One moment that really stood out was a workshop on creating CVs. It helped me improve mine and see my skills from a different perspective.
The biggest inspiration, though, was the people I met. Just hearing everyone’s life stories gave me new motivation. Being surrounded by young, passionate people made me feel ready to act, explore, and live more fully. Now I’m seriously thinking about starting new studies or even changing careers — this time with a clearer vision and more confidence.
🤝 Final thoughts
Volunteering abroad, especially in the field of health and community engagement, is a unique opportunity to contribute to local well-being while growing personally.
In our three weeks in Trnava, we:
Assisted with workshops and events on mental and physical health
Supported local initiatives alongside Youth for Equality
Explored Slovak culture and history
Built lasting friendships across borders
We didn’t just volunteer — we learned, laughed, and found inspiration in every moment. And we know this is only the beginning.
Local Interviews
🌟 ESC Project – City Health Week in Trnava: Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles! 🌟
As part of our European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteering experience during City Health Week in Trnava, we had the opportunity to support a series of engaging health-focused workshops for Slovak youth.
Here’s what we were involved in:
🏫 Workshops:
We worked alongside local youth workers and educators, splitting into small teams to help deliver interactive sessions. The workshops focused on:
🌱 GMOs
We shared informative insights into genetically modified organisms and their possible impact on health and the environment.
🍽️ Mindful eating
We explored how to make healthier food choices and build a positive, balanced relationship with food.
🎲 Interactive Games
We supported fun, educational games that helped reinforce healthy habits and kept young people actively engaged throughout the sessions.
🙏 A big thank you to all the young people who participated with such energy and curiosity. We’re proud to have contributed to promoting healthier lifestyles — one workshop at a time!
Together, we’re building a healthier and more informed future! 💪
