My ESC volunteering at Youth for Equality may have come to an end, but my journey through life is just beginning.
I no longer feel like I’m hesitating or drifting — I’m standing more firmly on my own two feet. Volunteering helped me gain clarity about my next steps. The topic of “Young Leaders,” which was part of one of the activities I was involved in, encouraged me to reflect on what is truly possible in life.
Although my ESC experience was relatively short, it was anything but boring. On my very first day, I found myself supporting our team at a high school fair, helping to present our activities and engaging with the local community. But let me go back to the beginning…
Trnava is a city that claims you can „live like royalty“ here — at least, that’s what the slogan says. I always wondered whether that was true. After some time, I came across a call for ESC volunteers, applied, got accepted, and before I knew it, I was living my own little royal adventure. Trnava, also known as “Little Rome” thanks to its beautiful architecture and historic atmosphere, reminded me of “Little Amsterdam” as well — with all its bike paths and chill vibes.
From day one, I was already involved in activities that connected me with the local community. Over the following weeks, this only grew — I took part in Erasmus Days as a volunteer presenter, and every week I supported the activities in the youth space of Youh for Equality. I also helped in the office tasks, where — with the guidance of experienced youth workers — I had the chance to create and test out my own ideas for educational workshops. Eventually, this led to an entire workshop series focused on climate change and sustainability, two topics I care deeply about.
Even tasks that might seem mundane — like assisting with organizing materials or helping with preparation in the office — gave me time and space to think more deeply about my future. And one thing became very clear: I want to finish my university studies and continue in the field of urbanism and spatial planning. My experience in Trnava confirmed that thoughtful urban planning, when combined with active community engagement, really can make the world a better place.
Vilém Honysz
