LAST ONE BEFORE LEAVING

HOW IT ALL STARTED?

You’re going where? To do what?

That’s what my family and friends said when they first found out where I was going.

This volunteering experience was my first one. And I’m not even talking about living in another country. On my own. Without my family. Without my parents.

Secretly, that was exactly what I wanted.

My life before volunteering looked chaotic. Part-time jobs here and there. Courses to become a writer, an interior designer, or even a programmer. If you say I was lost and had no idea what to do, you’d be right.

Like most teenagers, I thought my youth was already over and that it was time to build an independent life of my own. It might sound strange, but I even thought it was too late for me to go to university. P.S. I’m only 19. And I graduated two years ago.

I found an ESC platform when I was 17. I wanted to wait a few months until I turned 18, but something changed. The right time came exactly two years later. You have no idea how difficult it was for me to apply and prepare for the interview about the project. I had no expectations at all. I just wanted to run away.

And on March 25, three weeks after my nineteenth birthday, I received an email saying that I had been accepted. And on May 12, I was already on a train, with no idea what was waiting for me.

I knew these four months would change me, but I had no idea how much…

HONEYMOON

Everything feels exciting and new. You explore, meet people, discover the culture, and may idealize the new environment.

New people from all over the world. English everywhere. Far away from home, where you don’t depend on anyone. Summer was just beginning. It was the embodiment of my dreams.

Nature all around me. Sports. Running. Hungarian and Romanian history, culture, language, and food. Kind and open people. Everything was just beginning. I was filled with the perfect amount of new experiences.

We went for walks, rode bikes, went hiking, ate ice cream, and had movie nights.

Volunteers from the USA, France, Germany, Romania, Italy, and the UK.

Warning

During our first days, we had our On-Arrival Training, and the most important thing I remembered from it was the cultural adaptation cycle.

Whenever I was in a bad mood, I thought that this must be the homesickness or culture shock stage. Funny enough, everything was still ahead of me.

The training saved me. It warned me about what was waiting for me.

I held on for a long time. I enjoyed every single day. It was amazing. So many friends, parties, concerts, music, dancing, hugs from children, trips, and new memories.

CULTURAL SHOCK

The novelty wears off and differences become more noticeable. Things that seemed interesting can become annoying or exhausting. You may experience homesickness, loneliness, irritation, confusion, or feeling like you don’t belong.

Everything I had enjoyed here started to turn into something completely different for me.

Did I enjoy exploring new cities? I went to Paris! But came back home crying on the way…

Why? Because I missed home.

I changed places to live quite often. I didn’t have a home anywhere. This is something you face when you grow up in one country and then move to another.

I grew up in Ukraine, and when I was 15, I moved to Poland. My home was simultaneously in two countries. And in more than ten apartments and houses. My friends were left behind in the eight schools I had changed, and I didn’t keep in touch with any of them because I was afraid that sooner or later I would have to leave them again.

That’s exactly what travelling made me realize. Trips mean nothing to me if there is nowhere to come back to. And I’m not talking about a physical home.

My home

Have you ever stopped to think about what home actually is? What kind of word is it? What does it mean? Is it something physical or something spiritual?

I always thought it was the place where you sleep at night. Even if you stay there for only a week or two. I’m on holiday for ten days? Okay, this is my home now.

But in Romania it wasn’t for ten days. It was for four months. And yet, over time, I still couldn’t shake the feeling that I didn’t belong anywhere.

Where do I actually belong? That’s what a house with 26 volunteers made me wonder. (It was only like that for two weeks, don’t worry.) People who change every two weeks.

Is my place in Poland? Ukraine? Romania? Maybe I should move to the USA or Spain? 

But it was never really about a country, a city, or an apartment. It was about the feeling of home inside you. The feeling of safety, wherever you are.

I can’t say that during these four months I managed to build that feeling inside myself. This experience gave me the materials for construction, along with plenty of advice, hidden tricks, and life hacks on how to do it. And from here, it’s up to me.

(Here’s the photo of the cat that gave me lots of emotional comfort!!)

ADAPTATION

You gradually understand how things work, develop routines, make connections, and become more comfortable with the environment. You don’t necessarily love everything, but you can navigate it.

Well. We had parties every weekend during the first stage. Then came the weekends when I slept for twelve hours (or even more) during the second stage.

At this stage, I noticed that I was leaving my room more often. Going outside again. Joining group outings and shared dinners.

The volunteers around me started to feel more like family. They stopped annoying me. I started seeing the depth in them.

It wasn’t a quick way out of depression. You know when you’re drowning and you fight with all your strength, trying to stay afloat? Then you give up and sink to the bottom. And afterwards, the air slowly pushes your body back up to the surface. That’s what it felt like. From the bottom, my body was slowly rising back to the surface.

Real connections

It was at this stage that I felt a real connection with my friends. Especially the German ones 😅. They say you find out who your real friends are in difficult times? I can confirm that from personal experience!

We cried together on the veranda of the house, hugging each other. Two exhausted people, each carrying their own problems and worries. But when we hugged, everything suddenly felt so small.

There it was. My home. Among people with whom I feel safe enough to cry, to show my face without makeup, with unwashed hair. To laugh so hard that I can barely breathe and fall over. Or to eat and have something stuck between my teeth. Whatever.

They judge you too, somewhere inside their heads, or sometimes even out loud. But somehow, it doesn’t feel painful. Tell me if you know why.

INTEGRATION

The new environment starts to feel natural. You can function confidently and may feel that you belong in both the new environment and your original one. You develop a more balanced perspective rather than seeing one culture as simply “better.”

During this period, I finally saw a way to combine my life before volunteering with the life I had built here. I thought they were incompatible. I worried about what would happen when I went back. How would I live? (I still don’t know, but trust the process.)

Plans for the future started to take shape. There were many questions about where to go and what to do next. I created a lot of new things during this stage, even when I didn’t know how.

And this was where I saw myself from a different perspective. I discovered interests I hadn’t noticed before. I became more drawn to writing, learning, structure, and office work.

But the most important thing I discovered was how to get my years of youth back. This experience, and the time I spent with people my age, made me realize that I’m only at the beginning of my journey.

For some reason, before this, I felt embarrassed to actually act my age. What freedom and relief it was to finally allow myself to be young and free.

These feelings are coming home with me.

THE END

But it is never really the end. It is just the beginning of a new stage.

My life didn’t become any less chaotic (quite the opposite), but I started to see freedom in that. The freedom to be myself. To be whoever I am right now. Because without accepting the present version of yourself, there can be no future version.

Thank you to everyone who was with me on this journey. Thank you to the people I met. Thank you for the motorcycle and the bracelet. Thank you for the conversations at Kultera. Thank you for the company and board games. Thank you for the work, volunteering, project, and opportunities. A huge thank you for the trips.

And thank you for accepting me exactly as I am, Romania!

Adios, Medeia.

But I’m not saying goodbye to you. We’ll see each other again!

One last chapter

It feels a little strange to write this because, somehow, we have reached the end. When I first started this experience, I don’t think I really understood how much it would become a part of my everyday life. At the beginning, everything was new the people, the routine, the activities, the responsibilities and even the small things that I now take for granted, only the place was the same. And now, after all this time, it feels strange to think that I won’t be coming back to the same routine anymore.

When I think about this experience, one of the first things that comes to my mind is the summer camps. There is something really special about spending a whole week with children who are excited about every little thing. Of course, there were tiring days, chaotic moments and activities that didn’t go exactly as planned, but there were also so many moments that made everything worth it. The games, the laughter, the random conversations, the creative activities, the songs, the competitions and even the little arguments between the kids are memories I know I will look back on and smile.

I think one of my biggest realizations is that you don’t always notice the impact you have while you’re in the middle of an experience. Sometimes you are just trying to get through the day, organize the next activity or make sure everyone is having fun. But then a child remembers something you taught them, comes to you excited to show you something they made, or simply asks when you are coming back. Those small moments reminded me why I was there in the first place.

Of course, this experience wasn’t perfect, and I don’t want to pretend that it was. There were difficult moments too. There were times when I felt uncomfortable, misunderstood or like I didn’t completely belong. Some situations challenged me more than I expected, and there were days when it was difficult to separate the work from how I was feeling personally. But I think those experiences were also part of my journey. They taught me that not every situation will be easy, not every person will understand me, and not every experience will look the way I imagined it would. Most importantly, they taught me how to keep going, adapt and learn from things even when they are difficult.

I also learned a lot about myself. I became more confident in taking responsibility, working with others and dealing with unexpected situations. I learned that plans can change five minutes before an activity and you still have to find a way to make it work. I learned to be more patient, more flexible and more comfortable with not always knowing exactly what will happen next.

But maybe the most important thing I learned is that an experience doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

There are so many little memories that I will probably remember long after I forget the details of the project itself. The silly jokes, the conversations between activities, the moments when everyone was exhausted but still laughing, the songs we played too many times, the children getting way too competitive during games, and all the random little moments that didn’t seem important at the time.

And now it’s all over.

The summer is over, the camps are finished, and the people who became part of my everyday life are going their own ways. It’s a strange feeling. I’m excited for what comes next, but there is also a part of me that wishes I could go back to the beginning and experience some of these moments again maybe knowing then how quickly everything would pass.

I think that is what I will take with me from this experience: not just the things I learned or the work I did, but the memories. The good ones, the difficult ones, the funny ones and even the ones I didn’t appreciate enough while they were happening.

I’m leaving this project with a lot of gratitude. For the opportunities, for the children, for the people I met, for the things I learned and even for the challenges that pushed me outside of my comfort zone.

This may be the end of the project, but I don’t think experiences like this really have an ending. A small part of it stays with you in the way you think, the way you work, the people you remember and the stories you tell later.

So, this is my last blog post, and probably the hardest one to write.

Thank you for the memories. Thank you for the lessons. Thank you for the chaos, the laughter, the good days and even the difficult ones.

I don’t know exactly what comes next, but I know I’m taking a little piece of this experience with me.

And honestly, I think that’s a pretty good way to end this chapter. Until next time..

Four Months in Romania – What an Experience

The ESC Project

Four months of volunteering in Romania – what an experience. It feels like it was only yesterday that I arrived in Miercurea Ciuc, a small city surrounded by mountains in the heart of Transylvania.

I was part of a team of four long-term volunteers. Together, we organized and facilitated summer camps for children between 6 and 13 years old. Our days were filled with games, activities and, most importantly, plenty of opportunities for the children to learn English in a fun and non-formal way.

Before this project, I had never worked with children before, so it was a completely new experience for me. I learned a lot along the way and, to my surprise, really enjoyed it. Most of the kids were incredibly joyful and open, which made it easy for us to connect with them and have a good time together. Every day brought something new, and it was rewarding to see how much the children enjoyed the activities we prepared for them.

Throughout the summer, many short-term volunteers also joined the camps for several weeks. This made our team very diverse, with people from different countries, backgrounds and experiences. Everyone brought their own ideas and perspectives, which gave the camps a different atmosphere every week and made the summer even more interesting.

Living in Miercurea Ciuc

The volunteering experience was not only about the work. We also shared a house on the outskirts of the city, which became an important part of everyday life. During the busiest part of the summer, around 25 volunteers were living there at the same time.

With so many people under one roof, there was rarely a quiet moment. We played games, cooked together and spent many long evenings talking and laughing. It was a great way to get to know people beyond the camps, and over the four months, I made many friendships and shared countless memorable moments.

The location of the house was another highlight. Just a short walk away were open fields and mineral water pools, where I often went when I wanted some time for myself. Sitting there and enjoying the quiet surroundings became one of my favourite parts of everyday life in Miercurea Ciuc.

On weekends, we usually explored the city centre by bike. We had our favourite café, tried traditional Hungarian food and discovered some of the local bars. And, of course, summer would not have been complete without plenty of ice cream and pastries.

The city also had a lot to offer when it came to special events. One of the first was the pilgrimage, when people from all over Romania travelled to Miercurea Ciuc to take part in the mass on Șumuleu Ciuc mountain. It was our first activity together as a group and also our first chance to try the famous chimney cake.

Another memorable event was the Night of the 100 Szekler Girls, where I saw traditional Hungarian dresses and dances for the first time. We also experienced the city days, when a big stage was set up in the city centre and different artists performed. It was a great opportunity to discover some Romanian pop music and see the city full of life.

Travelling through Romania

While Miercurea Ciuc became my home for four months, I also wanted to use my time in Romania to see more of the country.

The cultural week organized by Care2Travel was my first opportunity to explore places outside the city. I visited Sighișoara and the Red Lake, both of which gave me a first impression of the diversity of the region.

Another easy destination was Brașov, a lovely city with Saxon influences. Since it was less than two hours away by train, it was perfect for a day trip. Walking through the old town, exploring the streets and simply enjoying a change of scenery was a nice break from everyday life in Miercurea Ciuc.

When my friend came to visit me in Romania, we also spent a week in Bucharest. The capital felt completely different from Miercurea Ciuc – much bigger, busier and more lively. I really enjoyed experiencing this contrast and seeing another side of the country.

Some of my favourite trips, however, were much closer to home. The local community in Miercurea Ciuc organized hikes almost every weekend, giving me the chance to discover more of Transylvania. Since I have always enjoyed hiking, these weekends were definitely among the highlights of my time in Romania. Exploring the mountains and countryside with a group of people while getting to know the region a little better was a great way to spend my weekends.

Looking back

The last four months honestly just flew by.

Looking back, there were so many moments that made this experience special – from the summer camps and the time spent with the other volunteers to the hikes, trips and small everyday moments. I enjoyed discovering a new city, experiencing a different culture and, most of all, meeting so many new people.

Working with the children was a particularly valuable part of the experience. It challenged me in ways I had not expected, but it also brought me a lot of joy. Of course, there were moments when I missed my family and home. But those moments usually passed quickly, especially with so much happening around me.

Overall, I am very grateful for the opportunity to spend these four months in Romania. I am grateful for the people I met, the experiences I had and all the memories I will take home with me.

Miercurea Ciuc may only have been my home for four months, but it will definitely always have a special place in my heart. ❤️

Lea

4 months – infinite memories

Welcome back to say goodbye (sadly)!

First of all, I want to mention something. Before I came here, I saw all of those blogposts and social media posts about how great the volunteering experience was and how much it changed the people. And I always thought “Oh, that’s a bit over the top” or “they’re just saying that cause everyone says that”. I would also really love to differ my post from others, but I have to say that after my time in Csíkszereda is almost over, I completely agree with them.

When I arrived here, I had no idea how I would feel in 4 months. The bigger questions were: “Will I find friends here?” or “Will I like the work?”. And if I would have known the changes that would come, it wouldn’t have been changes after all, right?

Obviously, it was not from one day to the other that I was suddenly changed. But slowly, slowly, I realized that I felt different towards many things as opposed to my first weeks here. I made friends, I liked the work and I gained new and great experiences.

-I went on hikes and climbed a huge Jesus statue as well as a (maybe not so safe) tower at the tip of mountains

-I went to bars and cafés for fun interactions, karaoke, some games of pool and the one or the other Cuba Libre

-I picked lots of flowers of which some were extremely poisonous – which we found out after they were safely (or not so safely) drying in the pages of our books (gladly no one was harmed!!)

-I had countless conversations with friends that will hopefully stay for a lifetime

-I worked in summer camps that never ended and at the same time flew by as if it was nothing

-I went to other cities in Romania, saw their interesting places and found out about their history

-I had lots of cuddle-time with cats

and many more things, which I can’t even count.

What I (sadly) didn’t see yet, after all that time here, is a bear (highest concentration of bears in the world regardless)!!

The saddest part is definitely that everyone I met will spread throughout the world again. It will never be the same, all living in one big house, working together and experiencing the same things. The positive side is that it will always be worth to travel to the USA, Poland, the UK, many other countries and of course Romania to meet up and it will be forever special to meet the people that shaped my stay here.

But I am not going to end this with a Goodbye, but with a See you later!!

Yours, Bella ✨

My first month of volunteering

My name is Lea, and I am a new ESC volunteer. I arrived in the middle of May in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania. During my first weeks, I mainly took the time to settle in and discover my new surroundings. I got to know the other volunteers, explored the city, and became familiar with the Care2Travel organisation.

The first weeks were filled with an online on-arrival training together with other ESC volunteers from all over Romania, office tasks, activities at the Care2Travel office, and a city scavenger hunt. However, my personal highlight was the cultural week organised by Care2Travel. Together with the other volunteers, I visited the Red Lake, the surrounding mountains, and Sighișoara, a beautiful medieval town in the heart of Transylvania. It was a great opportunity to discover more of Romania while getting to know the other volunteers much better.

After those first weeks, I took a few days off because some of my friends came to visit me. Together, we travelled to Brașov and Bucharest. I was very happy to see them, and I really enjoyed both cities.

Brașov is one of the best-known Transylvanian Saxon cities in Romania. It has a beautiful old town and is located only a short distance from Miercurea Ciuc. We visited many of its most famous sights, including the Black Church, the city towers, and Council Square. Unfortunately, one afternoon we experienced a severe rainstorm, but it certainly did not spoil our trip.

Bucharest is a little further away, so we stayed there for five days. We were lucky to have wonderful sunny weather and plenty of time to explore the city. I especially liked the contrast between the impressive historic buildings and the communist-era architecture, which gives Bucharest its unique character. The Old Town is full of life, with countless cafés, restaurants, and bars. During our stay, we visited the Palace of the Parliament, the Museum of Communism, the famous Cărturești Carusel bookstore, a beautiful park, several different neighbourhoods, and the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum. I also had the opportunity to try some traditional Romanian dishes, including stuffed cabbage rolls, papanași, and polenta. I loved every single one of them.

After returning from my trips, we started preparing our ESC summer project in more detail. The summer camps take place in the backyard of the volunteer accommodation. Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., we organise activities for children while teaching them English in a fun and interactive way.

As part of the preparation, we became familiar with our responsibilities, planned the first day of camp, and created a detailed daily schedule. Soon afterwards, the summer camps began. During the first week, we welcomed 15 children between the ages of five and thirteen. Our main responsibility was to organise creative activities and games while encouraging the children to use English throughout the day.

At first, it took us some time to find a routine and become confident in our new roles. However, after just a few days everything became much easier. I really enjoyed working with the children and gained valuable practical experience. We played many active games, made origami, and on particularly hot days we organised water games, which quickly became everyone’s favourite.

During the second week, even more children joined the camp. By then, I already felt much more confident, and the daily routine came naturally. We introduced new games while also repeating some of the children’s favourites from the previous week. In addition, we made bracelets and learned a song together. It has been wonderful to see how much they enjoy spending time at the camp.

I am very excited about the coming weeks and look forward to creating many more unforgettable memories during my volunteering experience.

Yours, Lea

Six Weeks of Volunteering – time flies

Sziastok and welcome to my very first blogpost, a small selection of events and impressions that shaped my stay here in Romania so far. Let‘s begin…

Six weeks ago, I woke up disoriented after my first night in the accommodation, thinking I was in my bed at home in Germany, only to open my eyes and realize that my volunteering experience was about to start. The realization didn’t feel bad in any way, not overwhelming, not fearful, not too nervous. I was looking forward and being open to everything that might happen along the way.

Before that day, I had spent about 30 hours traveling, train by train, until I arrived here in Miercurea Ciuc. With all that worrying about the next transfer, having enough food for the 15 hour night train ride and the storm that seemed to follow me through half of Europe, I managed to successfully delay getting nervous about my final destination and what would await me there. Meeting my roommate, my colleagues and everyone else that I would live with in one big house. Even finally sitting out the last 2-hour ride, knowing that I would arrive on time, my brain couldn’t fully comprehend that I would actually be starting that new chapter. So, when I arrived at the train station and looked for Rita, who was supposed to pick me up, I was still working out how anxious I should be. But I soon realized that every other person I met is -who would‘ve thought- just another human being with similar worries and insecurities than mine.

me arriving at the accomodation

In the beginning, everything seemed exciting, new faces, new cultures, new experiences. We were told it‘s called the “honeymoon phase” and soon after, we would get used to everything and it would become normal, maybe even mundane. For me, it changed slowly from being obsessed with everything to a more calm and content feeling. I seldom feel homesick or sad, because I know that the four months will be over in the blink of an eye and when I was still home, I had more of a Fernweh, which is a German word that means having a longing for distant places.

Despite the honeymoon phase, I realized on my journey coming here and while arriving, that this place is an ordinary town, a normal house and filled with very real people, because before I came here, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like. It seemed like an unreal, far away experience that will never occur. But through these things happening that I could never dream of, I learn and grow, seeing that I am capable of leading conversations, making new friends and fulfilling the work requirements.

Looking back now and thinking of my first encounters with all of the others, I can’t believe that I have only known these people for such a short period of time. Living together, sharing the same spaces and new experiences, as well as spending free time with each other, draws one closer more quickly than many other things. Of course it also brings its challenges: meeting someone every time you leave your room, even after just waking up and barely being able to keep your eyes open; dirty dishes lying around for three days; or the washing machine being already in use every time you want to finally get your laundry done. Still, I am more thankful than anything else to always having someone around just to sit with or to do activities together, if long-planned or on a last-minute impulse.

Also, I have been hiking, bathing in the ice-cold water of the mineral water pool, witnessing the yearly Pentecost Pilgrimage, trying Lángos and Chimney Cake, preparing and starting the Summer Camps and much more, which were all great fun and will remain unforgettable memories.

So let‘s see what else awaits me, if it is things that will challenge or fulfill me, I am ready for it!

Yours, Bella 🍃☀️💕

FIRST MONTH OF ESC VOLUNTEERING

When I first heard about ESC volunteering, working at summer camps the only thing I imagined – helping others. The main thing I saw was the word “VOLUNTEERING”, I kind of had a hero mindset in my head. What I didn’t see were all the other fields of work that ESC volunteering combines. I saw this as escape from my daily life in Poland, but got much more than I could’ve imagined.

When Different Visions Meet

Working in an intercultural team can be both inspiring and challenging. We all have our own unique perspectives. Working as a team means not just sharing each other’s thoughts – it’s learning on how to create one common vision from all of ours.

I’ll say that this is the hardest part for me – sharing my ideas and trusting others other’s to make them a reality. When I have a perfect vision in my head, I often ask myself, “Why can’t the others see it?”. The funny part is that everybody has the same question.

Teamwork means understanding and accepting that now you are part of the team. I felt relieved when I realized that. At first I was really confused that we all share completely different approaches and ideas. I was frustrated that they didn’t think the same way I did. Now I see that as an opportunity to expand my way of thinking.

The truth is that every person brings their own experience, ideas and skills. The different types of strengths and values we bring – that’s what makes the projects unique.

Besides the creativity, communication is key. I learned how to present my own ideas and trust them to be combined with other people’s perspectives. A good idea only becomes a team idea when everyone understands it and has the opportunity to contribute.

Self-Improvement Is Also Part of the Job

One thing that surprised me about ESC volunteering is how much of the experience focuses on personal development.

Writing an essay on how to motivate ourselves, team reflections sessions and sharing our fears, country presentation and experiencing homesickness –things I didn’t expect when I first heard the word “volunteering”.

Apparently that is also part of the job. I didn’t know how important it is to understand what motivates you on low days or what fears the others experience, working on our project.

In many ways, volunteering is not only about helping others. It is also about learning more about yourself.

Our reflection games helped me understand not only how my teammates work, but also my own feelings. And those are the skills that will remain with me long after the project ends.

Finding Motivation

Not every day is exciting. Some days are tiring. Sometimes I feel like it’s too much work or even too little responsibility. Living in a different country doesn’t help the situation.

In those moments motivation becomes a personal responsibility.

For me it helps to understand that all of these feelings are only temporary, the same as the project. I try to focus on the reason I chose this experience. Sometimes all I need is some fresh air, chocolate and quiet space.

I learned that motivation comes from action. To feel the energy you need to start spinning the wheel.

Looking Toward the Future

The most important what this first month of ESC volunteering has given me – the opportunity to pause and reflect.

I consider this a life break and the chance to discover where I want to live, what to do and how to become the person I want to be.

Meeting people from different countries, with different backgrounds and experiences have given me the motivation to see my life differently. It helped me understand who I am, who I want to be and how to do it.

After the sunset comes a new day, bringing better opportunities.

ESC volunteering is much more than helping others. It is a combination of practical work, teamwork, personal growth, and self-discovery.

It teaches us how to work with people who think differently, how to communicate our ideas effectively, be brave, and how to keep learning about ourselves.

Most importantly, it reminds us that growth happens not only when we help others, but also when we allow ourselves to be challenged, reflected, and transformed by the experience.

Your Medeia🦋,

all the best!

The week of the trips

This week was one of the most exciting and memorable weeks of our ESC volunteering journey. We had the opportunity to discover some of Romania’s most beautiful places, learn more about its history and culture, and create unforgettable memories together.

Our first trip took us to the breathtaking Red Lake, a unique natural wonder surrounded by mountains and forests. The peaceful atmosphere and stunning scenery made it the perfect place to relax, take photos, and enjoy nature.

Before visiting the lake, we started our journey at Lázár Castle, an impressive historical monument that offered us a glimpse into Transylvania’s rich past. Walking through the castle and learning about its history was a fascinating experience.

Another highlight of the week was our visit to Sighișoara, one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in Europe. Wandering through its colorful streets, climbing the Clock Tower, and admiring the old buildings felt like stepping back in time. The city’s charm and unique atmosphere made it one of the most memorable destinations of the week.

While the group continued exploring, I unfortunately couldn’t join one of the trips because I had my university graduation and academic commitments. However, the other volunteers had an amazing time visiting several interesting places. They explored Korond, known for its traditional crafts and pottery, and visited the famous Upside Down House, where everything is literally turned upside down,being a fun and unusual experience.

Their adventure also included a visit to the impressive Jesus Statue, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, and the Butterfly House, where they could admire colorful butterflies from different parts of the world in a beautiful tropical environment.

Although I missed part of the adventure, I was happy to hear all the stories and see the photos shared in the groupchat. This week reminded us how important it is to explore new places, experience different cultures, and create connections with the people around us.

The Week of the Trips was full of discoveries, laughter, and unforgettable moments. These experiences are one of the reasons why being an ESC volunteer is so special, and I am looking forward to many more adventures in the future.

Four volunteers, one graduation and many missed butterflies later, 

Szidi

Leaving with a full heart

Eight and a half months.

It sounds like a long time until it becomes a collection of memories, inside jokes, spontaneous adventures, late-night conversations, and people who somehow become family. It’s amazing how sometimes a group of strangers become some of the most important people in your life. In this case, during the months we slowly became a big family and I would like to thank to everyone for this amazing experience, I loved living and speding time with you guys! I will quote my disseminaton video here:

„Your second family.

You have no idea that a group of strangers will become some of the most important people in your life.

Daniela, who will support every crazy idea you have.

Joel, whose conversations somehow always end in laughter.

Yann, with whom you’ll share deep talks, ridiculous moments, and future music careers that may or may not happen.

 Jasper, who will always be there when needed, never say no to the bird, and sing “Poate, poate” with you.

 Berta, who will encourage you even during the stressful process of parking.

Amaiur, who will always know how to make you feel confortable.  

Mattea, who will join you for countless walks, talks, and adventures.

 Leonie, who you will share endless deeptalks with.

 Aimee, with whom you’ll discuss books and share countless laughs.

And Frida, who will patiently answer “no” every single time you ask, “Am I annoying you?” even after hearing the question a hundred times.

These people will become your home away from home.”

When I started my ESC volunteering project, I knew I would be working with children in foster care homes. I knew I would organize activities, teach English through non-formal methods, and spend my days volunteering.

What I didn’t know was how much this experience would change me.

Because this experience allowed me to discover everything from a completely different perspective. Through the children, the community, local events, volunteering activities, and the people I met along the way, even familiar places gained completely new meanings.

Somewhere between the morning drives, the activity preparations, the intercultural nights, the endless walks, the coffee breaks, the laughter, the stress, the hugs, the goodbyes, and the ordinary days that didn’t seem important at the time, this place became home.

Not the kind of home you grow up in.

The kind of home you find.

The children taught me lessons that cannot be found in any university course or training. They taught me that progress is not always visible immediately. They taught me patience on days when I had very little of it left. They taught me that sometimes simply showing up matters more than having the perfect activity prepared.

And without realizing it, they found a permanent place in my heart.

What I will miss the most are not necessarily the big moments.

I will miss the little things:

The familiar faces walking into the office every morning.

The random conversations that somehow lasted for hours.

The moments when everyone was laughing so hard that nobody could finish a sentence.

The walks that started without a destination.

The feeling that no matter how difficult the day had been, there was always someone to sit next to at the end of it.

This experience gave me memories.

But more importantly, it gave me people.

People who became part of my story.

People who made me laugh when I wanted to cry.

People who supported my ideas, listened to my endless stories, and made even ordinary days feel special.

As I am writing this, I know that this chapter is ending.

And I hate that.

Because no matter how ready you think you are for a goodbye, there is always a part of you that wishes for just one more walk, one more conversation, one more shared meal, one more memory.

But maybe that is the price of having something beautiful.

You have to leave it eventually.

And when you do, you carry it with you.

So I am leaving with a full heart.

Full of gratitude.

Full of memories.

Full of lessons.

Full of people I never expected to love this much.

Thank you for being my home away from home.

Thank you for making these eight and a half months one of the most beautiful chapters of my life.

And thank you for the ESC and Care2Travel for making all these possible, I will forever be grateful.

With lots of love, Alexandra.

(I decided to include only one picture in this blog post. Not because I don’t have more photos, but because no picture could truly capture everything this journey meant to me. I chose a sunset because there is a quote by Beau Taplin that says, “Sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful too.” And I think this ending is beautiful. I am leaving with countless memories, friendships, lessons, and experiences that I will carry with me for a lifetime. This chapter is ending, but it will always be beautiful to look back on.)

Before leaving

I am writing this blog post before leaving. I am happy to go home, really excited to see my family and friends. They supported me in so many ways while I was here, and it will be amazing to return to such a supportive, loving environment. But there is one thing I will definitely miss.

Two weeks ago, we said goodbye to the kids. It feels crazy, after spending 8 months working with them, my heart feels broken. Seeing them go through so many things, watching them open up and grow in so many ways, has been one of the most valuable and enriching experiences of my life. I grew very close to them and came to love them deeply, and now it has ended. I don’t know what life will bring, but I probably won’t see them again. Since then, we’ve run into them on the street a few times, and it’s been a heartwarming, bittersweet experience. It feels like ripping off a Band-Aid: I still see them, but I’m no longer part of their everyday life. And although I am so happy to go home, my heart is breaking at the thought of not seeing them or working with them anymore.

If there is one thing I feel without any mixed emotions, it is my relationship with Amaiur. I love her so much, and I am going home with a sister.

Thanks for reading.

Berta