My ESC experiences and challenges on the way

My name is Tetyana, I am 19 years old and I am from Ukraine. When the war started, I went to Poland and was on two volunteer projects from the European Solidarity Corps, and then I decided to try ecovolunteering, which was in Bratislava. I did not expect that I would be accepted for the project, but I was accepted and I was waiting for it to start.

To be honest, when I arrived in Bratislava I was very upset. It looks like a big gray place. The first weeks were not difficult for me as I had experience, but this grayness oppressed me. In the second week, we started working in the vineyard, collecting garbage, counting grapes, working in animal protection, it was all physical work and I did not imagine it this way. But in 4 weeks I got used to it, I found real friends and their support was very important for me. I fell in love with Bratislava! Also, the priority of Bratislava is that it is very close to other countries and, for example, Austria can be reached in 50 minutes. It was also an incredible pleasure to live in a well-furnished apartment, where living is a pleasure, a separate room, good repairs, a dishwasher. Incredible!

Overall, these  two months have been amazing. I’m so grateful for all the amazing experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met and the things I’ve learnt. It was sometimes hard, but in those moment unbelievable! I’m very glad that I was on this project. ESC is a great opportunity and you can get so much out of it.

Text a foto: Tetyana Slobodchikova

Tetyana je dobrovoľníčka programu Európsky zbor solidarity na projekte v organizácii Bratislavské dobrovoľnícke centrum. Projekt bol podporený z programu EÚ Európsky zbor solidarity.