From February 21, 2025, to November 12, 2025, I had the chance to begin a long-term volunteering experience through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), hosted by FITT in the vibrant city of Timișoara. What started as a simple desire to gain new experiences quickly grew into one of the most meaningful chapters of my life.

I joined the ESC program because I wanted to sharpen my skills, explore new environments, and challenge myself to grow personally and professionally. The program offered exactly that — a chance to learn, contribute, and expand my perspective while becoming part of a multicultural community.

During my project, I was involved in a wide range of creative and educational activities. I facilitated art therapy sessions, music therapy, guitar classes, and breakdance classes, not only in Timișoara but also in smaller towns like Cenad, Sânpetru, and Lugoj. These activities allowed me to connect with young people, inspire them through non-formal education, and build meaningful relationships across different communities.

I also had the opportunity to step into a leadership role as a co-leader for the Youth Summer Fest project. This experience helped me develop strong leadership and teamwork abilities. Along the way, I gained valuable communication skills, learned how to facilitate sessions, and improved my ability to design effective and engaging educational activities.

Throughout this journey, I learned a lot about myself. Maintaining motivation in a long-term project taught me resilience, discipline, and how to keep my energy positive even during challenging moments. The experience also reminded me of the importance of appreciation — one of my most meaningful memories was receiving a certificate of appreciation from students in an art therapy session. Their gesture made me truly understand how impactful volunteering can be and how rewarding it feels when people value your efforts.

I chose Timișoara not only because it is a beautiful city with great weather and a strong cultural reputation, but also because the project itself was inspiring. FITT is a dynamic organization full of opportunities, events, concerts, and community activities, creating an ideal environment for volunteers to learn and grow.

For future volunteers, my advice is to stay motivated, practice perseverance, keep learning, communicate openly, and always appreciate the people around you. And if you have the chance, come to FITT. It’s a place full of energy, creativity, and unforgettable experiences.

Volunteering changed my perspective on life and community. It showed me how to be a better person, how to contribute to social change, and how even small actions can create meaningful impact. It strengthened my belief in humanitarian values and the importance of bringing positive energy wherever we go.

Without hesitation, I would recommend the ESC programme to anyone. It’s fully funded, offers incredible opportunities to grow, and allows you to meet people from all over Europe. More than anything, it gives you the chance to discover yourself while making a difference in the lives of others.

Ayoub Karmoudi,