⭐Lea: Life in Skopje is so different. It is unpredictable. It is surprising. Sometimes taking all my willpower and strength. Still, so beautiful. The people, the cultures, the different ways of living. All the new things I get to do and see. It is changing me in ways I never expected, and I enjoy this…
Ahoj! As we say in Slovakia. Where I am from, sometimes during the winter, we get to play ice hockey on frozen lakes. I love it. The freedom, cold air and the sport. Other than moving in any way possible, you name it: tennis, ping pong, football, swimming or ninja… I will gladly join! I…
While some celebrate New Year or Christmas a silent, eldritch species is threatening the world, the Woodcrawlers. They are not animals. They are tall, silent, and move wrong. They mimic voices and hide in plain sight, becoming part of the trees. The forest falls unnaturally quiet when they are near. When you go to the…
When curiosity meets courage and friendship crosses borders – magic happens. That’s exactly what happened as young people from Ireland and Macedonia set out on a journey that turned strangers into friends and landscapes into lifelong memories. Macedonia-Ireland Limerick Youth Center Exchange brought together 24 young adventurers for a two-part Erasmus+ exchange - first in…
Hello and welcome to the November edition of VOICES, This month, we sadly say goodbye to two long-term volunteers at VCS. I’m Cassandre, also a long-termer, and watching volunteers leave is always bittersweet, especially Terry and Chloe, the last ones from when I first arrived. In this editorial, they share their final thoughts and reflections,…
Hello! My name is Arthur, I graduated in Philosophy, and have worked as a French teacher for more than one year now. I come from a small city next to Lyon, France, which I really like, but the call for adventure was bigger than that love for my hometown, so here I am. As a…
Hallo! I’m Nelli, an 18-year-old from Thuringia, the green heart of Germany. After finally finishing high school this spring, I knew it was time to try something new before choosing my life's path. Also, because different cultures and countries have always interested me, I thought volunteering for a year would be an awesome opportunity to…
Hallo! My name is Lea and I am an 18-year-old high school graduate from Germany. For as long as I can remember, I always dreamed of moving abroad and discovering new places and cultures. After spending a lot of time researching for opportunities to do exactly that after finishing school (honestly, most of the research…
Hi! I am Cynthia, a 29-year-old digital transformation project manager living in Marne, France, where we produce Champagne. I will be spending three months in Skopje doing an internship in VCS through the VET program. I have always wanted to work abroad, so I decided to give my career an international dimension. I am eager…
Since I arrived in Macedonia, I have felt a small shift inside me. It might be the way people open me their doors without hesitation, or how a shared drink can turn strangers into something closer. The welcome I’ve received here has been more than politeness, it feels like a real invitation to belong, to…
I was certainly aware that the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), held in Skopje from July 20-26, would teach me something as an Olympic volunteer, but it went beyond my expectations. I spent the entire week at the venue with competitions in taekwondo, which allowed me to see a world I hadn't previously been aware…
Rümeysa, Fatih, Ceren, and Büşra are ready to volunteer with smiles at the European Youth Olympic Festival! Rümeysa Kuş, 20 Rümeysa is a curious and open-minded person who enjoys discovering new cultures and perspectives. She loves traveling, participating in intercultural events, learning languages, and organizing creative youth projects. Her superpower is communication—she can connect with…
Youthful and hardworking, all of them study different things, but all are connected in passion for sports. Aleksandra (twice!), Natalia, Gabriela, Dawid and Jakub are excited to be part of EYOF 2025 as volunteers! Aleksandra Baran, 20 Aleksandra is studying to become a physiotherapist. She loves playing sports like volleyball, being a scouts team leader,…
Full of energy, smiles and good humour. Sabína, Sára, Patrícia, Katarína and Filip are ready to take over the Youth Olympics! Sabína Rybianska, 18 Sabina currently studies economics in high school. She has one year left before university, and her dream job is to become a flight attendant or a sales manager. She enjoys healthy…
Whether it’s climbing, traveling, solving problems, or just sharing a good laugh, they are all about action, growth, and teamwork. Each of them brings something unique to the table, but together, they’re creative, supportive, and always ready for a new adventure (like European Youth Olympic Festival!). Kate Cela, 21 Kate is a student in International…
Bon dia from the second Aruba team! Gideon Testing, 19 Gideon is a student at night school and works in a restaurant as a waiter. He is having exams this year and is planning to go to the Netherlands to study hospitality management. He likes acting, painting, and drawing, and is also a huge fan…
History and books, computer science and cooking, all blended with the love for sport. Josef and Jan are sure to be a dynamic duo during the European Youth Olympic Festival, with some solid knowledge and passion for volunteering. Josef Pasek, 20 Josef studies computer science, and is a sports person - he likes cycling and…
A creative soul and a social type. Leni and Julius. This duo is definitely there to compliment each other on their journey through volunteering at the European Youth Olympic Festival. Leni Hafenmair, 19 Leni just finished high school and is taking a gap year to do volunteering. Something very specific - she wants to volunteer…
A mixture of calm vibes and fiery personalities! All five volunteers from Aruba are full of youth energy that are ready to make an impact during EYOF. Shainy Lampe, 18 Shainy is a bold, social and funny person who brings a lot of energy into the room. She loves going to the beach and listening…
Two out of 40 volunteers and first to present are Wilhelm and Yohann. They may be of different personalities, but what they have in common is passion for sport. Just the perfect to volunteer at European Youth Olympic Festival 2025! Wilhelm Verwaerde, 23 Wilhelm is a wandering spirit and introvert but also loves to make…