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.