Being a volunteer has been a goal of mine for a very long time. I’ve heard some stories that make the idea intriguing. So I thought, what kind of experiences will I bring home?
Like many of my travel stories, this one also started very spontaneously. I had a one-month gap when I didn’t plan many things, so volunteering seemed like the perfect thing to do. Just a few days before starting my journey, Association Citrus, my hosting organisation, contacted me, confirming that I was officially a volunteer. And where you might ask? In the beautiful France.
So, how did I decide that France was the right choice? Back in 2021, I participated in a youth exchange and a workcamp in France. That experience made an impression on me – I absolutely love the country. The people and their warm attitudes, the cigarettes, the croissants, the cheerful “Bonjour”, the charming small villages brimming with authenticity, the small shops, the coffee houses, the sprawling meadows… it all felt perfect. When I saw an open call for volunteers on the VCS webpage, I applied without hesitation. And just like that, my short-term volunteering story began!
Upon arriving, I found that only one other person, Ikram from Morocco, was in the house with me. It was just the two of us for the first two days. I eagerly anticipated meeting the other three volunteers: Haruto from Japan, Laszlo from Hungary, and Vlada from Ukraine. The final volunteer, Nasser from Jordan came a bit later.
Our responsibilities included maintaining the house, cooking, and feeding the chickens. In addition to these tasks, we participated in the workcamps organized by Association Citrus, which lasted for two weeks. Let me tell you, that experience was truly unforgettable. The workcamp took place in Golfech, a town with two nuclear power plants. The municipality was highly involved in the event. On Monday, the day after everyone arrived, the town hosted a welcome party, even hiring professional chefs to prepare the food. That evening, I tried duck pâté with dates for the first time – a very delicate taste. The residents were an absolute joy. I even had the chance to introduce them to Macedonia, my country they weren’t very familiar with.
The next days went as follows: From 8h until 12h we worked on building two outdoor tables and 4 benches. We engraved board games onto the table surfaces – all from scratch. We even used some machines I’d never seen before, which made the process even more exciting. After lunch, which was prepared each day by participants staying at the house, we rested until 3 p.m. Then, it was time to plan the afternoon activities. It was up to us to come up with engaging activities for the group. But that wasn’t all. We also managed tasks like coordinating with the mayor and municipal staff, making sure everyone in the group had a good time, and handling the workcamp budget. The entire experience was a mix of organization, communication, and teamwork, an incredible learning opportunity for sure.
We made the most of every day, trying something new. The municipality donated bikes, so one day we rode along the most beautiful route by the river. It was autumn, and the scenery was breathtaking. We also toured the nuclear power plants, tried country dancing and yoga, and took a trip to the nearby city of Montauban. That same afternoon, the owner of a local pizzeria hosted us, offering free pizza for each person. One day, we had lunch at the local kindergarten and later played bingo with the community elders. Let me tell you, they could make it an Olympic sport! It’s good that my eyes and brain stayed intact after that.
We had a free Saturday so everyone chose the activities for themselves – some went to Toulouse, some went on bicycles, and some visited other cities. October 30th was the international dinner, and oh my, we went all in. I decided to make pohovani tikvicki – and burned two of my fingers in the process. Spending an entire day with your hand in cold water is a unique kind of fun. But the spirit of the evening made it all worthwhile. The beautiful thing about the dinner was that everyone wanted to do their best, putting real time and effort into cooking meals that showed their skills and culture. The community had also gathered and prepared some food to add to the intercultural element. Everyone gathered together – it was pure bliss. Oh, and my pohovani tikvicki got the seal of approval, so yes, I’m proud! The next evening, October 31st, we went to a Halloween party… or so we thought. When we arrived, the city felt more like a ghost town than a festive celebration. Still, we made the most of it!
In the last few days, since we’d finished building the tables and benches, we had some fun. With a van at our disposal, we did what anyone would do: road trips! For me, it was perfect. But I have to mention – our driver was German, and let’s just say the driving style was more Formula 1 than casual driving.
… and THE DEPARTURE DAY CAME… it came so fast. At first, I got scared by how slow the first week went by, but the second flew by. Saying goodbye was the worst, sadness, tears, the whole package. As everyone left, I played Follow the Sun by Xavier Rudd – a bittersweet choice, I know. It was emotional, almost like self-inflicted torture, but I hope everyone enjoyed the experience as much as I did. The same day the workcamp finished, we went back to the house and waited for the other 3 volunteers to come so we could share our experiences. “Wild Ride” is a good summary of it. Since we had 3 days all together before Vlada, Naser and I went home, we decided to make it more than memorable. Bought wines, explored nearby cities, took pictures, acted like influencers while trying out macaroons bought from different stores, made parties… good times. If I go into details, I should probably start a podcast 😊.
I have to mention Haruto and Vlada. One thing I know for sure: you never truly know what’s waiting for you until you take a chance. I never expected to meet people who would become so close to my heart, but my friendship with them is something I’ll always treasure.
If you’re curious about becoming a volunteer or joining Erasmus+ projects, expect to come out of your shell. You’ll not only discover new things about yourself but also about how other people live, think, eat, and dance. These experiences are full of unique adventures, and you’ll form friendships with people you never thought you could be friends with. You’ll try new foods, and have incredible stories to share, and, when you’re 60+, your grandchildren will admire just how cool you are.
Sara Levikj
Hosting organization: Association Citrus
