Tag: Experience

On my way to my first destination outside Morocco, It’s not easy to leave my beautiful country for a long time but Romania deserves it, especially for a volunteer project.

Can you imagine?

One of the most important stops was getting to know each other and discovering more about the organization FITT as well as Timisoara while gaining awareness of the meaning of teamwork in all its dimensions.

I was, am and will be proud to be part of the organization.

From the first week, I became aware of the importance of social activities to homogenize a group that will work in the long and short term.

We witnessed the work of ex-short-term volunteers on previously restored centres along with the long-term volunteers, who gave us their input from their previous experience restoring those centres.

The actual station is for activating the responsibilities of each person who likes to get up and take an adventure.

Show up and be ready for a station full of teamwork!

A new breath, a new stage with good energy.

Before I came to Romania, I thought that one year was too much, but now when I look back, six months have passed so quickly. Even when you move from one place to another in your city, many things change your life. Some of them are conscious, some of them not. So moving to another country is a challenge itself. Putting everything aside and starting a new life for one year it’s like intensive life school.

I am learning by experiencing living with people from different countries. When you get to know more people, you also discover what you are doing, true or wrong, good or bad.

A lot of things have changed in my life. First, I met new people, and some of them will stay special for me. Secondly, you can see yourself more precisely what have you done or what haven’t you done in your life.

We did a lot of different kinds of activities, from cleaning the space to organising activities, collecting signatures, or making videos. Maybe I didn’t give my best in some of the activities, but I had enjoyed them a lot. 

We had some difficult times like everyone during this period. It has taught me a lot: how to be more tolerant, more patient, but also more critical. If you can see or evaluate yourself objectively, you can get the results if it’s worth it or not spending time in another country with many people in the same house.

Last but not least

I wanted to be here because I didn’t have anything to do better and I do not regret it at all. On the contrary, I am glad I am here because I am in the middle of my ’20s and I have time to be part of this team. It’s an excellent experience because when I turn 30’s, I will not have time and motivation for this kind of activities.

Maybe Romania is unknown to many people but it was not the same for me. I have been here before; moreover, my father has been here for a long time ago.

Let’s see what time will decide for me. I already have passed my six months. I hope the next six months will be better than these. 😊

So much has happened in such a short time that my head cannot assimilate them all. The permanent roller coaster I am riding on does not give me much respite to stop and think about everything that happened. But I have been in Timisoara for six months now, and the truth is that they have not been indifferent.

During these months, we have made practically everything: activities, events, trips, training, renovations, community engagement… and through all this, I have learned to be more decisive, to adapt myself to changes that may arise at the last minute, to be more patient…

Thinking that I have already passed the project’s halfway point gives me vertigo and a bittersweet feeling. I sincerely believe that I am making the most of every day here, and I always try to do my best. Although we have also gone through some difficult times, positive things are much more significant than negative ones.

In addition, the learning process at all levels is so great that I am not aware of everything that I have changed in just six months. And that is just thanks to all the people I am surrounded by, who inspire me and help me improve every day.

Living this experience is allowing me to see beyond and be aware, more than ever, of my limitations, strengths, concerns and goals that I want to achieve. It is, without a doubt, an intense, imperfect and full of ups and downs adventure that is giving me lessons that I am sure I will never forget.

Because being a volunteer is much more than what I initially imagined. It is to be willing to do anything, help without expecting anything in return, give your best, and know how to do it with humility and respect. Being a volunteer is learning how to listen, not judge and contribute as many things and ideas as you can. It is opening your mind and heart without fear of the unknown and being willing to create bonds that overcome any problem or barrier. And definitively, it is to be aware that your small actions can generate significant changes in society and that the impact on the community may be possible.

Maybe when I decided to apply to this project, I did it because I did not have many other options then. But now, six months later, I can assure you that it is the best decision I could make, and, somehow, I am proud of that.

Being outside the great famous “comfort zone” allows me to test myself in many aspects and gives me the chance to know myself deeply, in a thoughtful way.

I know that I am where I need to be, and given the rapid passage of time, I can only make the most of the opportunity to be here and make this an unforgettable adventure.

Ciao, I am Fatih from Turkey, and this is my first post during my volunteering experience!

They say that every person shapes their destiny. But I think sometimes we just can’t. At least the part of my life in Romania is happening out of my control.

My family’s story with Romania began in 1996. I was six months old and my father worked in a gum company in Turkey. When the company moved to Romania, he had to leave us for six months and embark on his first experience abroad.

After a very long time in 2017, it was my turn to meet Romania. I discovered the EVS (now ESC) program and participated in a short-term volunteering program in Arad. Just like my father, my first abroad experience was in Romania. My volunteering experience in Arad had taken only five weeks. I took a role in organizing sports activities such as public running and football. Still, I tasted the Romanian culture and then I came back to my country and got my bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration in 2019 but I couldn’t have a chance to work in my field. Then I got a job in Customer Services. After seven months, I felt that it was not what I needed, so I quitted.

I started searching online for volunteering projects and found a 1-year project from FITT. I liked the idea of building and reshaping youth centres for the community, so I decided to take action. I thought that this would be an excellent opportunity for me, so I applied to the project. That’s how I met FITT.

My application process with FITT was very fast. I got my visa in one month. During my university period, I took part in some volunteering projects, but I didn’t have much time for volunteering after graduation. Now I have a whole year as a volunteer, and I want to use this opportunity as much as I can.

Today I am in Romania. I have stopped making plans. Let’s see what Romania will decide about my destiny!