The first four months of our six-month European Solidarity Corps (ESC) program in Aruba have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Marija and I, from Macedonia, Despina from Greece, and Pascal from Germany were welcomed with open arms by our hosting organization – CEDE Aruba.
The four of us, along with other local and international volunteers, got involved in various initiatives on a weekly basis that contributed to the betterment of the local communities on this small island of less than 150,000 inhabitants. The volunteer opportunities here are endless. We volunteered at an animal shelter, a swimming tournament, nursing homes, a skateboarding school, and planted fruit trees in schools and kindergartens together with other altruistic and passionate individuals. And through these engagements, we were exposed to a cultural exchange with passionate individuals from Europe, the Caribbean, and South America.
In addition to local initiatives and projects, we were also involved in organizing an international Erasmus+ training course on mental health for youth, organized by CEDE Aruba, where youth workers from Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Italy, Slovenia, and Lithuania participated, as well as from the Caribbean islands of Curaçao, Saint Martin and Guadeloupe – which are overseas departments of the Netherlands and France. And as a highlight of the event, I would single out the international evening where all of the participants represented their country through food and drinks, dances, quizzes and games, during which, Marija and I, together with the other 3 participants from Macedonia promoted the Macedonian ajvar, white cheese, and rakija. We were reminded of the delicious taste of ajvar and cheese on a slice of bread.
This exchange of ideas with locals and internationals created a vibrant, collaborative atmosphere, in which we all grew together.
Outside of our volunteer engagements, we used our free time to explore the island and gain new life experiences.
One of the most memorable, I would say, would be experiencing the 71st edition of the Aruban Carnival, which lasted throughout February and consisted of daily parades for children, students and adults and numerous beauty pageants for the ’Miss Aruba’ in several age categories. We, as a group, experienced the four largest parades, where we also participated in the open parade that lasted from midnight until the early morning hours.
In addition to the carnival, as a group, we experienced New Year’s Eve on the beach. Also, together with our international friends, we cruised on a catamaran and attended the Annual Aruba Open Beach Tennis tournament. And on ordinary weekends we enjoyed the beautiful sandy beaches and the warm turquoise sea.
Personally, I took the opportunity to learn recreational scuba diving with a professional instructor, where I experienced the underwater world for the first time and saw colorful corals and fish living in an ecosystem made on shipwrecks and sunken airplanes. In addition, we had close contact with an octopus, a moray eel, and a lionfish.
By organizing workshops and events to support environmental initiatives and efforts for social inclusion, I believe that we still have ample space to leave a significant mark on our 6-month volunteer journey. I can honestly say that through all these activities, the four of us learned new skills, embraced a new culture, and developed lasting friendships that transcend thousands of kilometers of ocean. We look forward to the new challenges and opportunities that will come our way during the rest of our time here in Aruba, and we expect just as many opportunities to learn, share and make a real difference in the community!
I highly recommend the volunteer experience through the European Solidarity Corps to all young people aged between 18 and 30 years old, who are seeking an unforgettable adventure through Europe, or as in our case through the Caribbean and South America. This experience has proven to be truly unique and unforgettable.
Nikola Jovanovski
ESC volunteer hosted by CEDE Aruba
