‘When I look back to last summer I can’t believe how different my life is right now…’ European Solidarity Corps update nine months in!
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Our European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteers have completed 9 months with Solas Project so far! It’s hard to believe they only have a few months left. We wanted to ask them a few questions to hear how the last 9 months have impacted their lives…
The ESC volunteers as the year went on became part of a larger group of international students and volunteers. It’s been great to see them bond as a team and support each other in the day to day teamwork required.
Ruth, ESC, Germany
Sometimes you don’t realise how much you grew and how much you changed until you look back.
And when I look back to last summer I can’t believe how different my life is right now.
Through the last 9 months I was able to build relationships with the young people in Solas Project based on trust and mutual understanding. I grew in my role in the After School Clubs. I found really good friends among the team I’m working with. I successfully lived on my own abroad. I improved my English.
I got more confident in my own body. It wasn’t always easy and sometimes it still isn’t easy but I grew from the challenges.
It is hard to pick a highlight about my time here so far. But if I had to choose, it would be the welcoming atmosphere at work. The feeling when you come to work and everybody is glad you are there. The staff, the other students and also the children (though they often don’t like to let on that they are).
I’m looking forward to enjoy my last 3 months with Solas Project. I’m sure the summer project is going to be super fun and I’d make plans to explore Ireland even more.
Sarah, ESC, France:
I’m proud of the relationships that I’ve formed with the kids. It’s something that took effort and energy. Spending time discovering their personalities taught me how to be myself and to create a bond with them.
I’m also so happy that I’m way more confident with the language now, I used to be very hesitant thinking about what I wanted to say but now I’m comfortable.
The team has been so encouraging and was always pushing us to take initiatives. My leader was trusting me to suggest activities, to work directly with the kids and to manage challenging situations, it really gave me a boost of confidence. I feel free in my work because I know that my opinion matters in the team and that we rely on each other to make everything work.
I’m going to go home in August 2022 feeling more confident about my work, knowing that I’m able of handle situations and that even if it seems hard and stressful it’s getting better with time… One year ago there’s things I would have never been able to do or to manage, and today, with the time that I spend with the children and my co-workers it’s so much easier.
I’ve grown so much because of the independence I have gained and the trust that the Solas Project team gave us. This experience which was a huge challenge for me is now my everyday life and I’m so grateful for that.
Jana, ESC, Germany
Ireland is not all sheep and meadows — not that surprising since we work and live in the capital. But I wouldn’t have initially expected such a colourful mix of people and sceneries in Dublin alone.
In Solas Project, I am positively surprised by the open dynamic that can be seen throughout all different programmes: The entire staff including the CEO communicate with us the volunteers and the young people as equals.
One of the first significant things that made me feel good as a volunteer, was hearing the kids call my name when they were in need of help. I felt recognised. By now, when young people remember the smallest details I have mentioned weeks ago that shows me that I have an impact on their way of thinking and that I have to use it in the most positive way possible.
Volunteering here has confirmed my career plan of becoming a teacher. Showing and teaching the kids how I draw and paint, for example, never fails to make me happy.
Now that we’ve escaped the awfully cold winter, I am looking forward to my summer in Ireland. I am eager to see more of the Island. I am grateful that I will get to experience summer projects with the after schools club the bonus being adventuring to many fun places with the children.
As I think about my return to Germany, all the knowledge about a whole different culture will have changed my day to day views. Hopefully, I will be able to maintain my self-reliance at home having now lived on my own.
Actually, I really don’t want to think about going home yet. Time is flying over here and I still can not believe that nine months have passed. It’s going to be over way too soon!
