I’ve always had the feeling that I should do more for the world. I was always interested in helping other people, but until now, I’ve never had the time to think about it and try to research some ways to get into volunteering. I’ve known about Youth Portal for some years now, other organizations were sending me offers, but it never felt like this is the one I should choose.
When I applied for YCU2, I knew that my current job contract would end soon, and I would be supposed to look for something new. But just finding a new job was not appealing to me. I was exhausted from the daily routine, the angry managers, and poorly thought targets. I wanted to do something special, to have a new start and, maybe, pursue the call of helping other people.
One day while browsing the opportunities on the Youth Portal, I found the FITT’s logo. It immediately drew my attention to it. As a side thought, I will add that I have lived in Timisoara for three years previously as a student. I clicked on it and started to read the materials, description, then I got on their website to make sure that the project is active and it’s not like a very old post, and I would just spend my time on meaningless waiting for an answer and keeping the hope of hearing back from them.
I clicked with the idea they were presenting and how they identified the purpose of the project. Growing up, my community lacked a place that would be a safe space for everyone, a source of information, a source of opportunities, and just somewhere to get away from school and other people. Then I started to imagine how I would be helpful to the project and how I can contribute to the project. Will I be motivated enough to help and bring my contribution to the community?
I applied, and shortly after we had the interviews, and in a matter of a week, I was ready to get on the road. Then I realized that I would need a visa, and at this point, things started to get harder for my mental health and general wellbeing. Applying for the visa was quite a challenge. They always had some comments about my documents, so I had to go to the consulate 3 times for them to accept my application. After that, every day was a waiting roller-coaster, the worst 39 days.
Afterward, as I got the visa on my hands, I started to pack, and a day later, I was already on my way to Timisoara. It was pretty nostalgic to see the old things and places that you don’t think you missed until you see them again: the trains, the people, the atmosphere, and just remembering the old memories hidden deep down. As I arrived, I was welcomed by the people I somehow knew from my past, and everyone was extremely welcoming and humble. I felt like I’m back home and not as an alien in a foreign country.
I look forward to what the future has prepared for me in this project. I believe in the team taking care of the project and the volunteers who have already arrived. I think that together we’ll do great things for the local community.