International volunteering
Veronika Bachtikova, Czech Republic, 9 months Russia
Once upon a time … When I was 24 years old, quitted my study, having a job which I didn’t enjoy a lot, having some bad relationship experience and didn’t really know what that “life direction” should I follow, I knew about ESC and almost by coincidence I took a project in Russia. Many people were thinking that I’m insane but it was the best adventure in my life so far. Taking care of children and youth with autism or mental disease in a day-stay centre, trying to express myself in an unknown language while people thought I’m an idiot and not a foreigner, travelling through whole Siberia with other volunteers by the lowest class train to see the Baikal Lake, sometimes crying whole night without knowing why and hundreds of other stories came in my mind while thinking about my ESC experience. But one of them was really special…We were travelling with my friends - other volunteers during the summer to see the Bajkal Lake and we visited also the Buddhist Monastery “Ivolginsky Datsan” near the city Ulan-Ude. When we came out from one of the main temples, everyone around us was watching the sun in sacred silence. We raise our eyesight, looked into the sun and there was a rainbow encircling the sun which is a really lucky and protective symbol in Buddhism. Our almost 80- year-old guide came next to me and whispered into my year: “It’s just for you, guys. You’re acting so beneficial job here so this symbol is going to follow you and bring you happiness and satisfaction.”At that moment I realized that despite each trouble, crisis. stupid arguing or even really serious problems I had to come through (and for sure there are even more challenges in front of me), it’s worth it. That I’m just in the right place at the right time. This amazing moment was waiting for me to discover it. That when I got so far. I can also handle everything coming and get even further.
Few words on how it works…
The European Solidarity Corps allows young people to gain valuable experience in Europe through volunteering. The aim is to support young people to learn something new and improve the things they enjoy, meet new people from other countries and master their language skills.As with Youth exchanges and Training courses, organizations that host a volunteer request the EU financial support. They write projects and, as they have it approved, they start looking for suitable volunteers who have the opportunity to gain new skills and work experience that will improve their position in the labor market. Projects mostly concern social inclusion (working with people with disabilities, in excluded areas, free time activities centers, with youngsters coming from disadvantaged areas), the environment (forest kindergarten) or culture.
Rules and conditions…
01 For all youngsters between 18 - 30 years (included) from EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Northern Macedonia, Turkey and the EU's neighboring countries.
02 You can take advantage of this experience just one in life therefore choose your project wisely based on your interest and values.
03 You can go for short term volunteering from 2 weeks until 2 months or long term from 2 months until 1 year. You can go first to short term and then to long term but not the opposite way around. The total length couldn't exceed 1 year.
04 From European Union funds you will receive money for travel, accommodation, food, health insurance, and you will also receive pocket money.
05 You can go to the whole of Europe or within the Czech Republic. In addition, you can go to other countries outside Europe, such as Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine or Syria.
06 You have full psychological and administrative support from both the Czech organization who will help you to get ready and the foreign one where will be a mentor who will help with integration.
Sounds genial! Where to apply for it?
Register on the official portal of the European Solidarity Corps. After creating a profile, a catalog of opportunities will open, where you can filter offers by focus, time length, country of the event, etc: europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en.
Search on web portals of NGOs as well as with Youth exchanges and Training courses or Facebook groups. Besides those above you can also check:
So I will receive money for my work, wouldn't I? Isn't it a regular job then?
No, you will not receive a salary, you will get support for living and some pocket money (the amount depends on the country you will be volunteering in but It's sufficient for living). The working hours used to be between 30 - 38 hours per week and also the concept of helping in the organisation is different from work. It's not much about your working abilities and nobody expects you to be a professional. It's actually the other way around. This program is designed to offer young people the possibility to improve their competencies, develop themselves and gain new skills which should help them to enter the labor market after the arrival.
Do I have to be a student?
No. This opportunity is for all youth between 18 - 30 doesn't matter the education or work experience.
Do I have to be able to speak the language of the hosting country?
Of course not. It's not necessary to have perfect knowledge even of English. The basic level is enough. Everyone expects that English is not your native language. And where else should you improve it than abroad?
This opportunity has to be so popular that there is no chance for me to attend.
No worries, there are always plenty of them! All you have to do is to register yourself and choose from the actual offer. We are pretty sure you will find your one!
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