Month: February 2021

First Steps of a Life-Changing Experience

Posted on by Alperen Bayram

I was ready for an adventure, but didn’t know where to start!

Having graduated from the university during the times of pandemic and spending quite a lot of time staying home, I was a bit hesitant to go on an adventure that I had decided on during my university years. My dream was to go abroad after my graduation, travel more, learn new cultures, and if possible, learn new languages. Due to the hesitation, I delayed my dreams and started working at a start-up in Istanbul as a new graduate, trying to learn new things and increase my professional experience. However, unfortunately, the pandemic kicked in again and I had to work from home, communicating with people only through digital means, continuing my isolation as a person who feels actualized when in contact with people face to face and get things done together. During the period I was working, one night, I thought to myself “I had dreams, and I might sacrifice on traveling and maybe getting in contact with a lot of people, but that doesn’t stop me from going abroad, learn the cultures I was wondering and the languages”. The next day, I found myself in front of the computer, searching for volunteering projects abroad on European Youth Portal.

Romania From Above
Romania From Above

Having spent time abroad during my university studies, mostly thanks to training courses and youth exchanges of the Erasmus+ program, I had an idea about the countries I`d like to go to and spend a year full of learning and adventures. Prioritizing the countries, the projects available, and my interest in volunteering, I started applying to projects, and after a couple of rejections, there it was, an invitation mail for an interview, from FITT Timisoara. Since I was interested in going to Romania and have heard a lot about the beautiful Timisoara together with the amazing things FITT achieved in Timisoara and Romania, I immediately accepted the invitation. During the interview, I succeeded to express my experience in youth work and my motivation to take part in the project “Youth Centres Up2” project. After a couple of days, I was accepted. After a couple of days, I received the wonderful news, I was accepted to take part in this wonderful adventure!

The next steps were easy, but a bit boring, since I needed a visa to be able to take part in the project. But in the end, writing this first article of mine for FITT on my desk at the office of FITT in Timisoara, I managed to survive the bureaucratic obstacles of the 21st century and started my wonderful adventure for a year, excitedly waiting for the summer to come and start off with the activities with over 100 young people from all over Europe.

Me getting ready to publish my first article!

Stay tuned for the upcoming news and to hear about my time in Timisoara and FITT!

Volunteering shadowing in Craiova, January 2021

Posted on by Anastasia Coste

Some of the ESC volunteers from Timișoara participated for 3 days in a volunteering shadowing programme in Craiova, where they exchanged experiences and good practices with local volunteers and presented their projects to each other. They also had the chance to visit and explore a new town of Romania.  

Craiova

The plurality and contradiction of architecture in Romania simply fascinates me.

My working experience there showed me how different things can be in your professional life, depending on who you cooperate with. On one hand, things there were more flexible and had this warm feeling of “home” and belonging. On the other hand, however, seeing the surprise of the other volunteers to the opportunities we have because of our organization was a quick reminder of how grateful we should be of the things we have. I suppose it all comes down to what we value the most, but keeping the idea of a coin’s two sides is definitely helpful towards a more gratefulness-inclusive path. 

My experience in the city was rather mixed. Craiova is not a big city, so there were naturally not a lot of things to do, particularly now, during the times of Corona, and especially compared to Timișoara or Athens, where I grew up in. Nevertheless, I enjoyed its city centre, no matter how small it was. What remained imprinted in my mind the most were the buildings and the Nicolae Romanescu park. The plurality and contradiction of architecture in Romania simply fascinates me. As for the park, I remember vividly the sound of crows crowing over my head constantly, flying around and taking their rest on the scads of trees. It was like the sky was alive, and as if I was transferred to another world briefly, away from the city and its hurried sounds. 

The last thing I want to mention is how warm and friendly the volunteers that welcomed us there were. I’m thankful for them inviting us to their home and making us a part of their everyday lives. I will remember how nice it felt playing cards with them and laughing, with a cup of fresh brewed coffee made by them for us. (Aigly) 

We got a brief sneak peek into how other volunteers work, by having the chance to collaborate on a joint project. Main takeaway – there are as many working methods as there are organisations in charge of them. And the size of the organisation being one of the most crucial factors. 

  • By being part of a smaller organisation, on one hand – you’re going to experience a more individual, liberal approach in everything you do as a volunteer. You may not get as much resources, on the other hand – funding, experienced support team, connections.
  • By being a part of a bigger organisation, it’s a 180 degree twist – you’ll get more resourcesyou’re your ideas to come to fruition, but the process is going to manifest itself in a much more controlled manner, because there’s already an existing structure in place, to make sure that the vastness of these existing opportunities don’t fall apart by an inconsiderate, poorly thought out step.

One of the better examples of “more power = more responsibility” principle working in real life.  

I find the thought to be interesting (as much as it is practically useful) because we tend not to evaluate our potential involvement with any establishment really, within these categories. Or at least, I didn’t. 🤷 (Daniels)

I wasn’t very excited about going to Craiova, but when I saw the city, it looked well developed and modern. In our first day, we went to the association’s office and it surprised me a bit the fact that it was a very small place compared to our office in Timisoara. Later, I met the project volunteers and realized how polite and open to improvement they are. When we started our meeting, we played a get–to–know game. After that, each volunteer made a presentation about what they did in their project. So, everyone knew who was doing what. After this informative meeting, we made the plan for the next day. What I noticed was how beautiful and effective the association and volunteers were doing, even if the possibilities were not the same compared to our association. To be honest, I was very impressed by seeing how great things people can do with limited means, and this has encouraged me.  

I was very impressed while touring the city. It was different than the city where I live. It has very tasty and interesting foods, especially in street corners.  

Our second day was mostly talking about the similarities and differences between projects, and our last day was planning. In the last day, we all held a joint live broadcast and answered questions about the ESC projects we were asked in this broadcast. I have never had a live broadcast experience before. This has been a unique experience for me. (Burak) 

A city which revealed a lot of beauty, especially the beauty of people living in it. Our visit to Craiova has been refreshing. It was a trip which helped me to recharge my batteries and meet new people. The favourite part of this trip was definitely sharing all our different experiences. Some of the people who we met truly reminded me of my initial motivation to come to Romania and be a volunteer. And reminded me that some things will never change. Being part of youth work and exchange programme is always a unique cultural experience which as many people as possible should embrace. It opens the door to another comfort zone, another dimension of knowledge, passion and experience.  


Different places can really wake up something unique and still common in us – a sense of belonging and unity. This is what I felt during these 3 days, nicely spent with people I liked very much. I’m sure we’ll meet again, and until then… I hope we keep creating the change and magic through the places we go. (Milica) 

I was on my way, it was long, it was beautiful… Timisoara: this city has a special energy. It might be because of the stories, because of the colours – whatever it is, you are always feeling safe, you are always feeling that you will miss it. It was 8:40 PM when I arrived to Craiova and the people that I was feeling close to were there to pick me, waiting for me. I hate waiting, but there is always a mystery. At 9 PM Katsia arrived: Here I am, going to say that she is my 2020. WIth every new city, there are new colours and people, there is always the positive side and the energy that we need.

One week later I was on my way back to Timisoara, again a long way, again by train. One of the good thing about trains is that you have hours to think, you have time to be open with yourself, you have time to look around. Whenever I am travelling somewhere, I am collecting memories, people with their stories. Imagine that with you, in the same train, someone is going to meet the important human being in their life or someone’s dream is coming true. As I said, there is always a mystery.

Երջանկությունն է ստեղծում ճանապարհ Երջանկությունն է թևեր տալիս ։ (Arus)