Hello! My name is Saad Elboukhali, I’m Moroccan, and I’m an international volunteer at FITT Timișoara (Timis County Youth Foundation).

Coming to Romania as part of the European Solidarity Corps has been one of the most transformative, meaningful, and enriching chapters of my life. My journey has been a blend of personal growth, cultural discovery, academic achievement, community impact, and deep human connection.

A new beginning in Timișoara

From the very first day I arrived in Timișoara, I felt something special. It was as if the city itself welcomed me with open arms, a place filled with creativity, history, diversity, and youthful energy. FITT, as an organization, immediately felt like a home. It is not just a youth foundation, but a living ecosystem where young people from all around the world come together to build ideas, support communities, and create positive social change.

I quickly realized that volunteering at FITT is not simply about completing tasks or joining activities; it is about experiencing solidarity at the core, nurturing personal development, and learning what it truly means to be part of a multicultural community. I met volunteers from different cultural, linguistic, and professional backgrounds, each with their own stories, dreams, and passions. Those interactions shaped me more than I could have ever imagined.

Growing personally and professionally

Being part of such a dynamic organization has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. Every mission I joined — whether supporting local youth centers, helping prepare activities, participating in community projects, or working with different departments — taught me new skills that strengthened my confidence, leadership, and communication abilities.

The challenges of adapting to a new culture, learning Romanian basics, collaborating in a multilingual environment, and navigating daily responsibilities became opportunities for growth. I discovered a new version of myself — more resilient, more open-minded, and more ready to contribute meaningfully to society.

What inspired me the most was the way every volunteer at FITT is treated. You are not just a temporary participant; you are a valued member of a family that believes in youth empowerment, engagement, and solidarity. FITT gives young people space to learn, to experiment, to make mistakes, and to build real impact. It creates an environment where creativity and initiative are not only welcomed but encouraged.

Completing my master’s degree during my volunteering journey

One of the achievements I am most proud of during my volunteering experience is finishing my Master’s degree in Management Information Systems. Balancing volunteering with academic work was challenging, but FITT supported me throughout the process.

What made this experience even more meaningful is that the organization allowed me to conduct research for my master’s thesis related to their field. I developed a study on:

“Predicting Participant Satisfaction Using Machine Learning”

This project combined my passion for data analysis, youth participation, and technology. I used methods such as Random Forest, and other analytical approaches to help understand how youth interact with the programs and what factors influence their satisfaction and engagement.

Having the opportunity to link academic research with real-world impact was a privilege. It strengthened my skills in Python, SQL, machine learning, and data visualization…

Youth Summer Fest – Co-Leading in Media&Marketing

Another remarkable part of my volunteering experience was joining the Youth Summer Fest, one of the many youth events organized by FITT. I had the chance to be part of the organizational team as a co-leader for the Media and Marketing field.

This experience taught me how to coordinate teams, manage responsibilities, plan communication strategies, and collaborate with others under pressure. The festival’s mission was to create fun, creative, and educational activities for young people offering equal opportunities for those who often have limited access to programs.

Helping organize such an event reminded me of the power of volunteering and how collective effort can bring joy, hope, and inspiration to communities.

Becoming a digital facilitator — sharing knowledge with rural youth

Beyond events and research, I discovered a new passion: facilitation. I realized how much I enjoy sharing my digital knowledge with others, especially young people who need guidance and opportunities. This is why I created a workshop in Jebel, a village near Timișoara.

The workshop was built around a topic that is essential in today’s world, helping youth create their own digital portfolio and personal website.

I taught participants how to:

• Build a personal portfolio from scratch;
• Understand digital identity and online presence;
• Structure achievements, skills, and projects;
• Use free tools to create their own websites;
• Improve their chances for jobs, internships, and creative opportunities.

The most rewarding part was seeing young people discover their potential, ask questions, and start shaping their digital future. It reminded me why I love being involved in youth development and why sharing knowledge is one of the strongest forms of empowerment.

A chapter that will stay with me forever

My volunteering experience at FITT Romania has given me more than I expected. It gave me a community, friendships that feel like family, professional skills, unforgettable memories, personal transformation and a clearer vision of who I want to be in the future.

For me, Romania became more than a destination. It’s now a story, a lesson, and a turning point in my life. Everything I experienced here shaped my ambitions, strengthened my character, and opened new doors in my career of data analysis, youth work, and digital education.

As my journey continues, I will always carry with me the values of solidarity, learning, and community impact that FITT has taught me.

Saad Elboukhali,