My ESC Volunteering Experience in Poland
Hi! I’m Marine, and I recently completed my European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteering project in Poland. For me, it was a way to step into something new, experience living abroad, and try myself in a different environment. I decided to apply because I wanted a change and was curious about how I would adapt to life in another country. The idea of combining volunteering with an international experience felt like a good opportunity to learn something new, both practically and personally.
During my project, I worked mostly with children and young people, supporting different activities and workshops. I was also involved in organizing events and creating content for social media, which allowed me to use my creative skills in a practical way.
During the project, we were invited to different schools where we shared our countries, cultures, and traditions. One of those visits was to a gastronomic high school, where — for the first time in my life — I somehow ended up cooking Armenian harissa. Later, during a New Year celebration, we were asked to prepare national dishes, and this time I made Armenian gata for the first time as well — probably one of the most challenging (but fun) parts of the project for me 🙂
Another important part of the experience was working and living with volunteers from different countries. We spent time together both during activities and in daily life, which naturally led to conversations, shared moments, and getting to know different perspectives. Through this, I met new people and built connections that became part of my everyday life there.
Moving to Poland was an exciting step for me. I enjoyed discovering a new culture, observing everyday life, and slowly building my own routine in a different place. Over time, I became more independent and more comfortable in unfamiliar situations.
What I value most about this experience is the balance between the work, the people, and the overall environment. It’s not only about contributing to a project, but also about sharing everyday moments, exchanging perspectives, and experiencing a different way of living.
Looking back, this experience became an important chapter for me. It gave me new skills, new impressions, and a clearer understanding of myself. If someone is thinking about volunteering abroad, I’d say it’s definitely worth it: not because it’s always easy, but because it helps you grow in ways you don’t expect.
