Hi everyone!
My name is Eszter, I’m 21 years old, a second-year student at Budapest Business University, studying Community Organizing, and I’m currently doing my internship at Egyesek.
I had the chance to get to know them during my first semester, when they came to our class to promote themselves. The more they talked about their programs, the more interested I became in the topic. Since then, I’ve been carrying around their leaflet, and now that I have the opportunity to do my internship with them, I hope this will give me the push to fulfill a long-held, unfulfilled desire. The fact that I can see how they operate only motivates me more to apply for an Icelandic volunteer program in the future. (After all, nothing happens by chance, as they say.)
What I love most is that the possibilities are almost endless. I can volunteer in Hungary or even abroad, and have a real impact on the world. The EU-supported European Solidarity Corps program, for example, is a wonderful opportunity for young people between the ages of 18 and 30, covering travel, meals, and accommodation costs, so there’s no financial barrier to worry about.
At Egyesek, I can choose from a wide variety of volunteering tasks. For example, in Iceland, I could participate in environmental projects and at the same time improve my photography skills. At night, I could even take part in photographing the Northern Lights — which is my personal favorite. Or, I could work with children and youth in Spain, participate in environmental projects in Portugal, or support youth centers in France. If I prefer to stay in Hungary, I could take part in community-building programs, work with disadvantaged young people, or join international volunteer camps. There are countless opportunities, so if you're interested, this is the place for you!
What I also love about this program is that while I could be helping the world, I would also be developing myself. Independence, language skills, and handling various situations are all things I could be grateful for for the rest of my life if I took part in this journey. Plus, I’d get to meet lots of new people and form good friendships.
I read through the stories of previous applicants on the website, and these caught my attention because I think the following skills are incredibly important to gain while volunteering:
"I learned that sometimes you have to prioritize others' needs, like cooking for vegans or making compromises."
"I overcame my fear of traveling abroad."
"My English improved."
"I became more patient and empathetic."
"I started paying more attention to others."
"I learned that I can trust myself (When I got lost, I bravely asked for help)."
I know many people might not know where to start, but I can confidently say that Egyesek helps everyone prepare. I highly recommend it to anyone; don't hesitate, just dive into the adventure! I’m already looking forward to starting my journey. It’s worth trying because we can learn so much about ourselves and, in the end, we can overcome our limits. Only the first step is difficult. Check out the programs, pick the best one, and apply!
During my 80-hour internship, I will be helping with the organization of international volunteer programs. I’ll also get to see some applications and understand how the process works. I’ll meet a completely new team at their Budapest office, and I’ll be able to take part in many other things too. I’m already excited for the teamwork ahead!
