They say every great story starts with a hero, a journey, and some life-changing event. This one starts with me… accidentally burning Turkish soup in a Slovak kitchen and then somehow ending up playing with Ukrainian kids and discussing funny words in Slovak with teenagers over board games. Not your usual story, but hey, volunteering is full of plot twists. So buckle up, this might not be epic, but it’s definitely real.
Hi, I’m Abdullah, from Türkiye. Since February 15, I’ve been an ESC volunteer with Youth for Equality in Trnava. I have been here for three months and have seven months to finish it, and if I had to summarize these months in one word, it would probably be: exotic.
Because here’s the thing: I didn’t expect to play with Ukrainian youth every Monday, get addicted to card games with youth every Tuesday, or dance like a maniac with Slovak teenagers. I didn’t expect that I’d learn so much about a country not from books or museums, but from the laughter of children, the silent nods of understanding, and the chaos of multilingual atmospheres.
MONDAYS THAT MATTER
Every Monday, I’ve been taking part in activities focused on supporting integration through sports sessions with Ukrainian kids. Under the guidance of our coordinators, I help with football, basketball, volleyball and other activities. But it’s more than just sports. It’s smiles, small wins, and hearing your name shouted out like you’re a world-class athlete.
For me, these sessions have also been a chance to learn how simple activities can help people connect even when they don’t share the same language. These kids bring energy and so much joy into the game that you forget about language barriers. Sports speak louder anyway.
TUESDAYS
My Tuesday ritual is spending time with youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who come to simply be themselves. I take part in these activities under the supervision of our coordinators, supporting games and spending time with the young people.
We’ve played dozens of games, from intense board game battles to silly dancing competitions. They even gave me local nicknames like Abdulka, Abdulko… and, for reasons I’m still trying to understand, Hasbulla (yes, that Hasbulla).
Some days, I felt like I was the teacher. Other days, definitely the student. It was hilarious and heartwarming at the same time. I saw Slovak culture through their eyes: raw, honest, unfiltered. And trust me, there’s no better way to learn.
THURSDAYS WITH ENGLISH CLASS
Thursdays are reserved for something a bit more laid-back but just as meaningful – English conversation classes. Every week, I support these sessions together with the team and spend time with a group of people aged anywhere from 16 to 60.
Sometimes we have topics prepared, but we never let them limit us. The atmosphere is always friendly, open, and full of laughter. We chat about everyday life, current events, random stories – whatever people feel like bringing to the table.
What amazes me most is how much I end up learning, not just about Slovakia, but about different perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking. And the best part? Participants also learn from each other. It’s more than a language exchange, it’s a human exchange.
THE ON-ARRIVAL TRAINING AFTER MY ARRIVAL
Three weeks after arriving, I found myself in Nová Dubnica at the On-Arrival Training. Five days, one unforgettable experience. It was like a summer camp for volunteers: people from all over Europe (and neighboring corners of the world), aged 18 to 30, sharing stories, perspectives, and dreams.
We learned about our rights and responsibilities as ESC volunteers, reflected on our volunteering projects and learned more about the opportunities and support available to us. More importantly, we discovered that none of us were alone in this journey.
Also, the trainers? Absolutely legendary people. What I learned here was inspiring. I left with a head full of inspiration, a heart full of memories, and photos full of moments I’ll definitely smile at for years.
SPEAKING UP (IN HIGH SCHOOLS)
Another highlight? Visiting high schools around Trnava and supporting our youth workers during workshops with students.
At the beginning, my role was mainly to help colleagues and learn from them. I helped with energizers and team-building games, supported different parts of the activities, and joined conversations with students around the topic of the day.
As I became more comfortable, I also had opportunities to contribute more actively to parts of the workshops. It was a completely new experience for me and a great way to develop my communication and facilitation skills while still having the support and guidance of experienced youth workers.
Reactions ranged from curious questions to polite 8 a.m. smiles, which, let’s be honest, is already a big success at that time of day.
TRAINING EXPERIENCE
I also had the chance to support activities during a project with participants from the Visegrad countries, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of my volunteering journey.
The training focused on democracy and everything connected to it, and while it was educational, it was also incredibly fun. As a volunteer, I could take part in the programme, support the team with different activities and learn from an international group of participants.
What stood out to me was how people from these neighboring countries seemed so different at first, yet shared so many cultural similarities – even their expressions and sense of humor felt familiar. It was a unique experience, unlike anything else I had done, and one I’ll never forget.
Now, as May comes to an end, I look back and realize that volunteering isn’t about “helping others” in the way people often imagine. It’s about sharing space, time, and energy. It’s about learning from other people while also contributing something of your own.
It’s about being present, being surprised, and sometimes being ridiculously out of your comfort zone – and loving it anyway.
