Hi! I’m Yana, a European Solidarity Corps volunteer from Ukraine, currently spending several months in Trnava, Slovakia, with Youth for Equality.
When I first arrived, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I knew I wanted to try something new, meet people, become part of a local community and challenge myself. What I discovered was much more than that: a volunteering experience full of new people, community activities, creativity, learning and many small moments that have already become important memories.
During my first months, I gradually became involved in different activities – from supporting community events and activities with children to helping prepare communication content and bringing some of my own ideas into the programme.
And I learned something important: it’s never too late to try something new.
The Beginning
Starting a new life in another country always comes with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. New city, new language, new people, new routines – everything takes some time to get used to.
At Youth for Equality, I joined a small but dynamic team and gradually started discovering different ways I could contribute. With guidance and support from the team, I became involved in visual communication, helped prepare Instagram posts and stories, supported the preparation of different community activities and events, and joined activities with local partners.
What I appreciated was that I didn’t have to arrive already knowing everything. I could learn by doing, try different things and gradually discover what interested me and where my strengths could be useful.
At first, I wasn’t always sure what exactly I could offer. But week by week, I became more confident, started bringing more of my own ideas and found my rhythm within the team and the local community.
Bringing My Own Ideas to Life
One of the things I enjoy most about long-term volunteering is having the opportunity to gradually become more active and bring my own ideas into the programme.
One of the initiatives I became particularly involved in was our monthly Movie Night at the Youth for Equality office. With support from the team, I could contribute my ideas and take a more active role in preparing these evenings.
Every last Thursday of the month, we create a cozy space where people can meet, watch an English-language film and spend time together. After the screening, we talk about the movie, its themes, funny moments and often much more than just the plot.
It’s a simple activity, but I love the atmosphere it creates. People who might not otherwise meet each other can come together, practise English, exchange opinions and enjoy an informal evening.
For me, experiences like this show that volunteering is not only about joining existing activities. As you become more confident, there can also be space to contribute your personality, interests and ideas – with the support of the hosting organisation.
Being Part of the Local Community
For me, volunteering here is especially about becoming part of the community.
One of the activities I regularly take part in is a sport for Ukrainians. Together with the local team, I support activities where young people can move, play, laugh and simply enjoy being together.
There is always plenty of energy, movement and a little bit of chaos – in the best possible way.
It has become one of the most rewarding parts of my volunteering experience. Being part of an activity that creates a positive and welcoming environment for children is something very meaningful to me personally.
Through activities like this, I’ve realised that community volunteering does not always have to be something huge. Sometimes simply being present, contributing your time and energy and creating a positive experience together with others can already make a difference.
City Health Week – Volunteering Together
One of the biggest experiences during my first months was City Health Week, an international volunteering team activity focused on physical and mental wellbeing, healthy lifestyles and community participation.
Together with volunteers from different countries, I took part in the programme and supported the Youth for Equality team and local partners during different community activities.
It was an intensive experience filled with movement, creativity, learning and meeting local people.
During the programme, we experienced activities connected to wellbeing and healthy lifestyles, including art-therapy and wellbeing sessions, yoga and outdoor activities. We joined community activities such as RUNity, supported environmental and community initiatives, spent time together at Kamenný Mlyn and participated in a cultural evening.
We also had an opportunity to visit Trnava Town Hall and meet city representatives in connection with City Health Week.
What made this experience special was not only the programme itself, but also being part of an international group. Everyone brought different experiences, cultures and personalities, and we learned a lot simply by spending time and volunteering together.
It reminded me how quickly people from completely different backgrounds can become a team when they share a common experience.
Learning Beyond the Activities
Of course, my ESC experience is not only about community events.
A big part of volunteering abroad is learning how to live in a different environment.
I’m learning Slovak and trying to use it in everyday situations – even when my pronunciation is far from perfect! Living in Trnava also means discovering Slovak culture, understanding local habits and slowly becoming more comfortable in a place that was completely new to me only a few months ago.
At the same time, being part of an international environment means that I’m constantly learning from other cultures as well.
Sometimes the learning happens during a workshop or organised activity. Sometimes it happens during lunch, on a walk, while preparing something together or simply during a conversation with another volunteer.
On-Arrival Training
Another important part of my ESC experience was the on-arrival training, where I met other European Solidarity Corps volunteers living in Slovakia.
The training helped us better understand the programme, our rights and responsibilities as volunteers, intercultural differences and the learning opportunities that come with living and volunteering abroad.
But it was also a chance to reflect.
Why did I come here? What do I want to learn? What challenges am I experiencing? What do I want to take home with me?
Meeting other volunteers was especially valuable because we could share experiences and realise that many of us were going through similar situations – excitement, culture shock, language difficulties, new friendships, uncertainty and personal growth.
It made me feel part of something bigger than my own volunteering activity in Trnava.
What I’ve Learned So Far
After my first months in Slovakia, I can already see that this experience is changing me in many small ways.
I’m learning to be more flexible and open to situations I cannot fully plan.
I’m learning how to communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds.
I’m becoming more confident in sharing my ideas.
I’m discovering new ways to express myself through creative activities, communication and community events.
And I’m learning that sometimes personal growth begins simply by saying yes to something unfamiliar.
Volunteering has also reminded me that you don’t need to have everything figured out before starting something new.
You can arrive with questions.
You can try.
You can make mistakes.
You can learn.
And gradually, you can find your place.
More to Come
I’m still only partway through my ESC journey, and there is much more ahead of me.
More community activities. More people to meet. More Slovak words to learn. More ideas to try. Probably more mistakes too – but that is part of the experience.
I’m curious to see how my role will continue to develop and what I will learn during the rest of my volunteering in Slovakia.
If there is one thing I would tell someone who is thinking about volunteering abroad but worries that they are too old, too inexperienced or simply “not ready”, it would be this:
You don’t have to be completely ready. Sometimes you just have to be willing to begin.
For me, joining the European Solidarity Corps was exactly that beginning.
And so far, I’m very glad I said yes.
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