Chapter 1
Even before I finally finished packing for one year abroad (which felt like cramming a circus into a shoebox), I was already imagining what I’d write in this first report. I had been reading all the other articles from volunteers, thinking of what I’d say when it was finally my turn. Now that the time has come, I find myself searching for the right words—because how do you sum up an undescribable experience in one page?
They told me time would fly by, that four months would disappear in the blink of an eye. Well, I must be blinking in slow motion because, for me, these four months have been packed with enough experiences to fill a lifetime. I’ve made more friends than I can keep up with, gotten lost in cities I couldn’t even place on a map before, and stumbled through mistakes that left me with a few life lessons I’m pretty sure will stick with me. And let’s not forget the first moments here, I had just landed in Bremen, with my luggage wheel apparently nonexistent anymore, leaving me to carry my pink, sticker-covered suitcases in my hands for the rest of the year.
ESC volunteering is truly unique. After just a quarter in, I can hardly imagine my life without it, or the rest three yet to come. So, what can I share with you, dear reader, that might capture the essence of this journey? Let’s be honest, it hasn’t all been easy. Life rarely is. Stepping into a completely new environment brings its own set of challenges. Like the challenge of carrying a week’s worth of groceries in your bare hands, for example. Why? Because you forgot to bring a bag from home, and refuse to pay for another one to add to your ever-growing collection. So, you end up awkwardly juggling pickle jars and spicy vegan pizza rolls all the way back to your apartment.
Would I still recommend this experience? Without a doubt. The excitement, joy, fun, intrigue, and love I’ve experienced here far outweigh any stress or difficulty.
Hmm, what else? On the home front, I’ve become an expert in nursing plants through various stages of vegetative states. Some never make it out. But hope springs eternal, so I keep adopting new ones from ‘Zu Vershenken’ (“to give away”) or Lidl for €2.50, crossing my fingers the next one will thrive. And if you ever stroll through Bremen, don’t be surprised to see people casually carrying mirrors, chairs, borderline trees in pots, wardrobes, nightstands, or even gorilla-sized teddy bears (picture for proof). That’s not just a local quirk—that’s all me and my flatmates furnishing our apartment without spending a penny.
You also never quite know who in the city, let alone at home, to open the door if you’re expecting a package. Making plans to go to Berlin or the ocean the next morning is basically the same as making plans for dinner that night.
Let’s get on a more serious note. This experience has genuinely been insightful and defying. In conversations with other volunteers, I’ve noticed that while we all came here for different reasons, we’ve found unexpected joys along the way. That’s the beauty of the ESC volunteering journey—it’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet of growth, with a little bit of everything, and something for everyone. You just need to know which plate to take from. Here’s what I believe: to become the best version of ourselves, we need to embrace the things that scare us, face the challenges head-on, and trust that we’ll emerge on the other side stronger, wiser, and more resilient.
I feel incredibly grateful for the circumstances under which I’m here. Perhaps if they were different, it would have been a whole other story. But that’s the thing about life. Adaptability and flexibility are the keys to making any experience a good one. As cliché as it sounds, there’s truth in the old saying: when you focus on the bright side, the shadows don’t seem so daunting.
As I look ahead to the next eight months, I’m filled with anticipation. Life, like this experience, is full of surprises, challenges, and moments of pure joy. And if you’re willing to dive in, keep an open mind, and laugh at yourself along the way, you’ll find that the rewards are worth every single twist and turn.
Joana Chukovska
Hosting organisation: NaturKultur e.V.
