Hola!
My name is Raúl, I am from Spain, and for the past 6 months I have had the incredible opportunity to be an ESC volunteer at IZUM. Coming to Estonia from southern Europe was a direct jump into the unknown, but today I can truly say it has been the bravest and most transformative decision of my life.
Most of my daily routine took place at ABC School with the youngest children, where I helped the teachers and organized different activities for them, such as "Spanish Cafes" and interactive games. At first, the language barrier, the weather, and the cultural shock felt like a massive wall. However, over time I discovered that words are not always necessary to build a real connection. I learned to communicate through gestures, body language, empathy, and a few key words in Russian. Going from feeling lost to seeing the children look for me to play, smile, and show me their warmth has undoubtedly been the most beautiful and rewarding part of my entire project.
At the Youth Club, my experience took a very diverse path. I supported activities such as English lessons and Lego Engineering workshops, and I also organized a Spanish Cooking Workshop to share my traditional culture and gastronomy with the local youth. However, the project I was most involved in was "Tallinn in Touch". Being part of creating 3D maps of public spaces to assist people with visual disabilities taught me the true value of inclusive youth work. Putting myself in their shoes and using technology to generate a real social impact was deeply enriching. Additionally, I contributed to the youth center by developing an internal web platform to manage room bookings for events.
Another key milestone of my volunteering was a youth camp, where I challenged myself in front of over 30 teenagers by presenting my volunteering journey in English. Overcoming the fear of public speaking in English before a large group proved to me what I am capable of when I step out of my comfort zone.
Outside of work, the human experience was just as intense. Living away from home for the first time, sharing a flat with 5 housemates from completely different cultures, taught me how to coexist, manage my independent life, stay resilient, and navigate uncertainty through trial and error. It showed me my own self-worth and gave me a level of confidence I didn't have before boarding that plane.
Thank you to everyone who is part of IZUM—the staff, the teachers, my fellow volunteers, and the kids—for teaching me so much.
Special thanks to Darja and Gagik for giving me this opportunity and for choosing me.
I leave with lifelong friends, unforgettable memories, and the certainty that Estonia will always feel somehow like a second home to me.
My name is Raúl, I am from Spain, and for the past 6 months I have had the incredible opportunity to be an ESC volunteer at IZUM. Coming to Estonia from southern Europe was a direct jump into the unknown, but today I can truly say it has been the bravest and most transformative decision of my life.
Most of my daily routine took place at ABC School with the youngest children, where I helped the teachers and organized different activities for them, such as "Spanish Cafes" and interactive games. At first, the language barrier, the weather, and the cultural shock felt like a massive wall. However, over time I discovered that words are not always necessary to build a real connection. I learned to communicate through gestures, body language, empathy, and a few key words in Russian. Going from feeling lost to seeing the children look for me to play, smile, and show me their warmth has undoubtedly been the most beautiful and rewarding part of my entire project.
At the Youth Club, my experience took a very diverse path. I supported activities such as English lessons and Lego Engineering workshops, and I also organized a Spanish Cooking Workshop to share my traditional culture and gastronomy with the local youth. However, the project I was most involved in was "Tallinn in Touch". Being part of creating 3D maps of public spaces to assist people with visual disabilities taught me the true value of inclusive youth work. Putting myself in their shoes and using technology to generate a real social impact was deeply enriching. Additionally, I contributed to the youth center by developing an internal web platform to manage room bookings for events.
Another key milestone of my volunteering was a youth camp, where I challenged myself in front of over 30 teenagers by presenting my volunteering journey in English. Overcoming the fear of public speaking in English before a large group proved to me what I am capable of when I step out of my comfort zone.
Outside of work, the human experience was just as intense. Living away from home for the first time, sharing a flat with 5 housemates from completely different cultures, taught me how to coexist, manage my independent life, stay resilient, and navigate uncertainty through trial and error. It showed me my own self-worth and gave me a level of confidence I didn't have before boarding that plane.
Thank you to everyone who is part of IZUM—the staff, the teachers, my fellow volunteers, and the kids—for teaching me so much.
Special thanks to Darja and Gagik for giving me this opportunity and for choosing me.
I leave with lifelong friends, unforgettable memories, and the certainty that Estonia will always feel somehow like a second home to me.