Multumesc pentru tot!

Enumerate all the things that this experience has given me is a difficult process. It’s been almost 11 remarkable months of adventures while living and discovering a different country. I had the chance to travel, to develop new language skills, to have new experiences and to meet amazing people.  

Most of this experience and memories are defined by the people I cross path with…The children and young people that welcomed me from the first day and since then always excepting us with a smile, hug or eager to tell us something. The coordinator, mentor and people involved in the project that supported me in everything during this time and that made the activities and this experience really enjoyable.

 The international volunteers with whom I share a lot of memorable moments and thanks to who Baia Mare felt like home. And even people that don’t fit in the previous groups, but that I interact here in daily life, were kind and nice. 

Being a volunteer is much more than the activities specified in your agreement. Volunteering is about discovering yourself, having unique moments and experiences, having opportunities to develop new skills, travelling and working in being part of a world without stereotypes and limits.

Volunteering is about experiencing things that you had no idea before. Maybe you will not work in your studies area or maybe you will work in an international team for the first time, but either way, you will learn a lot with these new experiences.

By doing an EVS you will be more aware of yourself and your strengths and limits and how to improve your flexibility and tolerance. You will face different situations or different habits due to cultural differences or different attitudes due to different background but, with respect and honesty, you will understand people better and accept all the differences.

I don’t want to lie to you. Being a volunteer is different for every person and I cannot say what will happen, or that will be perfect. But I’m sure that you will learn a lot, even when you might have mixed feelings and feel more connected to the world and I encourage you to do it.

Thank you, Greentin! Thank you, Baia Mare!

Tania Alves – volunteer in the project BCV – Bulding communties through volunteering – funded by Erasmus+