My volunteering year in Germany
A year ago, I packed my suitcases and started my trip at 3 a.m. to Tallinn Airport, beginning my journey to Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany. There, I volunteered at a Free School in Brigach, and the following eleven months were a rollercoaster of ups and downs.
My job as a volunteer was to help students with learning activities. I was also given the opportunity to lead English listening sessions. My first day at the school was eye-opening due to its different approach to education.
What is a Free School? I will answer that based on my own experience. A Free School is a place where students can have a longer childhood. They start to develop social skills and have the chance to take on responsibility from a very young age. As a teacher I took a learner-directed approach. Because every student has their own unique way of learning. At Free School students have the possibility to learn the way that suits them the best. Working with the students meant every day was different, so I never had to worry about being bored.
When my volunteering service began, I took an open-minded approach. I told myself to just take it day by day and week by week, and I think that really helped me a lot. I set some checkpoints for myself that helped me stay accountable and truly enjoy the experience. I made plans every week: on weekdays, I fully concentrated on my volunteering work, and on weekends, I explored a new city, met friends, and was able to refresh myself for the upcoming week. I was able to visit Munich, Stuttgart, Freiburg, Strasbourg, and Basel. I'm so grateful that I had the chance to see German cities that I would never have had the opportunity or idea to visit otherwise.
In those eleven months, I learned so much from others—my colleagues at school, fellow volunteers, and even a grandmother on a train. I realized how many of us there are on this Earth, and that we are all human beings with our own unique stories. I learned the importance of human connections, and especially face-to-face interactions. It was a year for me to better understand my own beliefs and values.
I highly recommend taking a chance and applying to the European Solidarity Corps Volunteering programme. But be aware, you might just start to understand yourself and the world around you better. If a long-term volunteering placement seems a little too daunting, try a short-term one. There is nothing to lose, and only so much to gain.
A year ago, I packed my suitcases and started my trip at 3 a.m. to Tallinn Airport, beginning my journey to Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany. There, I volunteered at a Free School in Brigach, and the following eleven months were a rollercoaster of ups and downs.
My job as a volunteer was to help students with learning activities. I was also given the opportunity to lead English listening sessions. My first day at the school was eye-opening due to its different approach to education.
What is a Free School? I will answer that based on my own experience. A Free School is a place where students can have a longer childhood. They start to develop social skills and have the chance to take on responsibility from a very young age. As a teacher I took a learner-directed approach. Because every student has their own unique way of learning. At Free School students have the possibility to learn the way that suits them the best. Working with the students meant every day was different, so I never had to worry about being bored.
When my volunteering service began, I took an open-minded approach. I told myself to just take it day by day and week by week, and I think that really helped me a lot. I set some checkpoints for myself that helped me stay accountable and truly enjoy the experience. I made plans every week: on weekdays, I fully concentrated on my volunteering work, and on weekends, I explored a new city, met friends, and was able to refresh myself for the upcoming week. I was able to visit Munich, Stuttgart, Freiburg, Strasbourg, and Basel. I'm so grateful that I had the chance to see German cities that I would never have had the opportunity or idea to visit otherwise.
In those eleven months, I learned so much from others—my colleagues at school, fellow volunteers, and even a grandmother on a train. I realized how many of us there are on this Earth, and that we are all human beings with our own unique stories. I learned the importance of human connections, and especially face-to-face interactions. It was a year for me to better understand my own beliefs and values.
I highly recommend taking a chance and applying to the European Solidarity Corps Volunteering programme. But be aware, you might just start to understand yourself and the world around you better. If a long-term volunteering placement seems a little too daunting, try a short-term one. There is nothing to lose, and only so much to gain.