What can I say about EVS?

Article by Fausto Ricchi -  EVS volunteer
I'm writing this article in a rush because my time in Romania is running out, but just for now because I will for sure come back in Transylvania. This is not a goodbye, I never liked goodbyes and this makes no exception. I'm taking back with me many valuable things and little others I hope to have given and there are some images stuck so deep in my brain that I know they will never fade out. I hope that the future of everyone I met and also mine will be as bright as the present we spent here. What can I say more? I enjoyed the whole experience and I will do one more because my EVS was just 2 months short-term. I know I will never experience the same feelings or emotions again (and this is as good as bad at the same time) but I really want to know more different people and continue learning about other countries and mine; the more you experience, the more you know yourself, this is rule for everybody. I feel nostalgic while writing but also anxious about what awaits me after this experience... of one thing I am sure: it will be something good.

Why EVS?

Article by Alicia Gonzalez Paredes - EVS volunteer

This is my first time doing this kind of project which I had never heard about before  but, for me, till this experience, I will make sure that more than one person it is going to take part of more EVS projects, even if it is not with the same organization but, to take part and feel part of this awesome community of people who design and work in this kind of projects.
I totally recommend to do EVS. From my point of view I have had a great, exciting, enjoyable and educational experience. I have met lots of people during this period of time with whom I have shared my abilities, knowledge, hobbies, dreams… day by day; also I have learnt from them, more than I thought I could do it; I have had the opportunity to improve myself in such many different ways… I am really glad to have made the choice to participate in EVS because it has been teaching me new things of life each day, it has made me think that problems are not always real problems and to see things from another perspective to make me think in a different way than I was used to do it.
Doing EVS you can also choose where do you want to do it, which are your preferences and, in that way, also develop such an international language that is the English, or learn how to speak, write or, almost, understand a foreign language that is the Romanian for me right now.
I recommend it because it really surprisingly change your life, even if you do not want you, without being conscious that it is making you grow up as the same person you were but with a new mind and, maybe, soul.

My EVS in Romania

      Article by Dora Tatar-Kis - EVS volunteer

Now it’s the time to say good bye to Baia Mare and Romania. But how can I say good bye to the place which was my home for 2 month? Now I think Baia Mare will be my second home forever. This city and this country gave me my best experience in my whole life. I met with incredible people from all around Europe and of course with the very kind romanian people. I will take home with me little pieces from each of them. It was a big journey for me because I have learnt a lot about myself, how to be patient, confident, open-minded and love each other without stereotypes. I’m so lucky because I visited other cities in Romania and I have learnt about culture and I’m so grateful that I could explore this beautiful country. Now I’m sure that I will come back and visit other places in Romania because you can’t travel enough and this is the best way to discover other places. Before my EVS I asked myself why Romania? And I said:  Why not? Because I’m hungarian and I need to hate Romania because of the history in the past? I don’t want to live in the past, just carpe  diem. I receive a lot of kindness and help from Romanian people and I hope if I will talk about my experience in Romania to the Hungarians, it will help to brin g close together these two nations.

My best advice to those people who are thinking about EVS – not think about it, Just Do It, Romania iswaiting for you!

Multumesc Romania.

La revedere. 

Keep Calm and EVS

Article by Elena Friso - EVS volunteer

Mostly of the people that decide to leave for an EVS programme don’t know the exactly reason for which they are moving, what they can find and which kind of experience they are going to live. The only certainty is a luggage full of things that you can need during their period abroad. You don’t know exactly what could be necessary but running the experience you start understanding that the real and important necessary things are around you and that when you’re coming back your luggage is full of new useful tools.
The first tool that you start to put inside your EVS luggage is “sharing”. Since the beginning you share time and space with people from different countries, from different culture and with different background but you also start sharing the reasons for which you find yourself away with others. You don’t know exactly what you are going to discover but together everything is possible.
Everything is possible because you understand that for your experience you need “being open mind”. Living away you commence to knock down mental barriers about you, your culture and the once of the others. You start to feel part of one world where the borders are just political and historical prejudice that until that moment prevented you to be and feel a better person.
Until the moment you leave for your project probably you just have heard about “seeker of adventure” without understanding the real meaning. Your home is not going to be just a building anymore but a way of living. Since you starting moment plan everything you would like to do and especially try to discover everything: places, peoples, cultures and activities. Everywhere you are going to do your EVS don’t limit yourself to stay just in one place: make a good use of your opportunity and start exploring for sure you will never end.
“EVSing” you become a richest person in values, in skills and in friends. You start to have another vision of your future and of your life, you decide to plan something new for your life path that may be, after your EVS, you decide not covering alone anymore. It will be a travel from which you’re not coming back again: you’ll bring your new luggage, every time, every day, everywhere with you.

Voluntariat pentru incluziune, la Fundatia de Voluntari Somaschi

MY ''VOLUNTEERING FOR INCLUSION II'' EVS PROJECT ADVENTURE

By Volkan Güney - EVS volunteer

  First of all i would like to thank Erasmus Plus Program.This Program allowed me to see so many countries,cultures,i've gain so many skills and also learn so many thing.I kept search about this program and i have seen that the program also allowing you to do volunteering in abroad by European Voluntary Service(EVS).

  When i applied for this Evs opportunity in Turkey, i was not so sure if i would like to go to Romania.Because 2 years ago i've come Caracal/Romania for Erasmus Plus Youth Exchange Programme for only one week.I've seen only Bucharest for one day and Caracal was so small city,so finally i had a bad view of Romania in my mind untill the Evs.When i see Baia Mare i really liked this city and also until now i had chance to see some other city and i also liked it.Now i see Romania as a beautiful country.

  There was another another thing that is not clear before arriving Romania.I didnt have chance to meet my colleagues before project therefore i didnt know the people i ll spend 2 months together.When i met them , i was relieved because they were nice..Now i have good friends from 3 different countiries.My colleagues and our coordinators are organizing all the activities together.

  I didnt have many chance to take care of children in my country and here in my project we are almost  everyday with children from Roma communities ,kindergarten and day care center.These activities with children are more pleasant than i thought.The only difficult activity for me visiting roma communities.It was a big challenge.But to see this kind of places was a big experience for me.

  The money from european commission for the basic expenses are well calculated and its quite enough to me.I didnt have a problem about money during the project.But this depends on what  organization you are working with.In my case our coordinators have reimbursed us on time

  We have flexible hours of working.Each monday people from the project are meeting and deciding what we are going to do during the week.Somedays we work a few hours , somedays it can be many hours.During the weekend we have chance to see some near cities of Romania.

  My project is 2 months short term EVS project.After this project i can do 10 months more as a long term evs and this in my list to do in the future.

Why I choose EVS?

Article by Eszter Menyhert - EVS volunteer

I always wanted to volunteer. First, I wanted to go with the ADRA, but I didn't have the language skills. When I was really decided I searched at different organizations, but in the vast majority you have to pay. It is important to have financial assistance and it is also true that it is also a kind of adventure.
Then I found out about EVS (European Voluntary Service), which is up to a maximum of 12 months in a foreign volunteer possibility. A volunteer can take for a short term and a long-term project, in that order, but the time may not exceed a maximum of one year of the  two together. Where the volunteers are learning in a non-formal framework. There are three main areas of activities: environmental education, social activities and cultural project.
The age limit is between 17 and 30 years of age. The program requires that volunteers have a sending and a receiving organization. The European Voluntary Service supports round-trip travel expenses, accommodation, meal and pocket money, the amount of which varies from country to country.
So, if you want to test yourself in an international environment, you are not afraid that you live and work with others without racial and religious  racism and you do not have enough money or good enough language skills then you come and join the EVS.

I recommend EVS

Article by Alicia Gonzalez Paredes - EVS volunteer


This is my first time doing this kind of project which I had never heard about before. I totally recommend doing EVS. From my point of view I have had a great, exciting, enjoyable and educational experience. I met lots of people during this period of time with whom I have shared my abilities, knowledge, hobbies, dreams… day by day; also I have learned from them, more than I thought I could do. I had the opportunity to improve myself in many different ways… I have learned during my EVS to think that problems are not always real problems and to see things from another perspective. I have learned to think in a different way than I was used to do.Doing EVS you can also choose where do you want to do it, which are your preferences and, in that way, also develop such an international language that is the English, or learn how to speak, write or, almost, understand a foreign language, that is Romanian for me right now. 

Why you have to go in an EVS?

  Article by Dora Tatar-Kis - EVS volunteer

If you want to have a good experience, you have to do an EVS. This is the best way if you would like to get out from your comfort zone. I felt safe in my country, in my hometown with my family and friends – it was good but boring for me. I knew I have to change my life. And which is the best way? Go abroad! And if you like to do something for our world? Be a volunteer!

There are so many projects with different topics (cultural, social, environment so you can find easy your project. There are lots of NGOs which organize different EVS projects. If you would like to see aurora borealis and like the cold weathers – go the Scandinavian’s countries. If you prefer the beaches and the sunshine – go to Mediterranean countries. If you are interested in the culture, architecture, nature, history – go to east part of Europe (Hungary, Romania). Europe’s gates are open for you!

EVS is the best way to learn other languages and practice it and explore different cultures. You can make lot of friends from other countries and you can learn a lot from them.

After EVS you will be more confident, independent and you will have knowledge and experience which are priceless and unforgettable.

But if you want to miss your life’s best choice – don’t go in an EVS and live your boring life. It will be your worst decision ever! 

Being an EVS volunteer

Article by Elena Friso - EVS volunteer

The first step before applying for a volunteer service is asking ourselves which are the reasons for doing it. Spending short or long time helping the others need strong motivations for sustaining you during all the period. Being an European volunteer means staying far from his own house, running activities for an organization abroad and being involved in many different themes and areas. All the essential coasts are covered by the programme and this is an aspect that have undoubtedly being taken in consideration but the motivations for leaving have to be stronger than the economical one.
The first reason for which I decided to be involved in this program was having an experience abroad for sharing time, abilities and improving foreign languages with people from other countries. My first long-term abroad was 4 years ago by the Erasmus student programme and I can definitely say that it was one of the best personal developing adventure formation I have ever run. My wonderful Erasmus’ souvenirs were the good starting point for leaving another program abroad. At the same time I was searching opportunities to practice working skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management and organization. I think that volunteering could help me building upon skills that I already have and use them to help and benefit the community. Taking part in an Evs was the right way also for connecting me with a country that I’ve never visited before, with its community and social problems. Helping the others make a real difference for me and for the lives of other people, and at the same time letting me know new people who decided to move abroad too whom sharing the experience with. Living the adventure with other volunteers can help you to discover yourself from other point of views and at the same time creating a new family, where everybody defer from the others on the ages, the cultures, the motivations, the experiences and the goals. Everybody is part of the other volunteer’s path and sometime I think this is a missed point.
Definitely I can say that an Evs is an experience that can give you a strong personal development and it’s incredible how the benefits for helping the others can be even great for you. You work on what it’s really important for you and your life changing your prospective for living in more simple, relaxed and authentic way. One of the best achievements of volunteering is understanding how we are fortunate in our life and starting to value a little bit more every single thing of our days.
 Isn't it enough?!!