Hi guys, my name is Nuzul, and I often find myself as the only Indonesian participating in workcamps. Over the past three months, I’ve joined two international workcamps in different European countries. This is the story of my summer journey—how I ended up doing this, and why.
I arrived in Hungary as a bachelor’s student in February 2025, and it was my first time ever stepping into the Schengen area. I had originally planned to spend the summer working and saving money. I applied to several jobs, but none fit my expectations, which left me frustrated and uncertain.
Out of that frustration, I discovered the European Solidarity Corps, a platform where NGOs across Europe offer youth volunteering opportunities. I got accepted into a project in the Romanian countryside—my first international volunteering experience. That project opened my eyes to the world of volunteering and became the stepping stone that led me into workcamps.
After that, I found out that Hungary has a local sending organisation called Egyesek, which helps young people join international workcamps. That’s when things started to get really exciting.
I browsed their website and applied for several projects. One of them was in Clermont-Ferrand, France, and I applied just two days before it started. Because of the short notice, Egyesek's outbound team contacted me immediately to confirm my availability. Despite the tight timeline, I was determined to go. After some intense back-and-forth emails and travel planning, I managed to reach the workcamp site—after two full days of travel that included a flight to Paris, several local transfers, and a night at a rather eerie bus station.
My two weeks in Clermont-Ferrand were filled with meaningful work, new friendships, laughter, and a bit of muscle soreness—but all worth it. We began with a city tour, exploring the beautiful semi-classical charm of Clermont-Ferrand, crowned by a majestic cathedral at its heart. We hiked through a national park, encountered wild animals, drank from fresh water streams, and stood in awe at open valleys surrounded by stunning hills. We also climbed Puy de Dôme, the region’s iconic peak, and even witnessed a stage of the Tour de France right where we camped!
While the leisure moments were unforgettable, our main goal was clear: to revitalise an abandoned garden in a local neighborhood, turning it into a nature-friendly play area for kindergarten children. We cleared invasive plants, built fences around the pond, and constructed raised beds. On the final day, local residents visited to see the transformation. It was a truly heartwarming moment to watch children playing in the garden and community members expressing their gratitude. We also served international dishes prepared by each volunteer—it felt like a beautiful cultural exchange and a shared celebration of our work.
After this unforgettable experience in France, I continued my journey to another workcamp—this time in the Netherlands, right near the German border. The workcamp was called Meinweg, named after the national park where most of our work took place. After enjoying nature in France, it felt almost ironic—in a funny and beautiful way—that I now had to work inside a national park.
The focus of this project was to engage both mentally and physically with nature. Certain zones in the park were designated for specific plant species to help maintain ecological balance. Our task was to remove invasive plants, either by cutting them with large pruners or—more uniquely—by helping graze the land with sheep. On some days, we even worked directly with a shepherd, learning how to guide the flock to specific areas where their grazing would naturally control the vegetation.
For me, it was the first time I saw how humans, animals, and plants could collaborate—each playing a role in shaping a sustainable environment. It made me reflect deeply. While it's true that humans often exploit nature to thrive—which might be part of our survival instinct—we also have the power to guide ecosystems toward coexistence and balance. That was a powerful realization.
What made this journey even more special was the recognition it received: I was featured in two national media outlets—a newspaper in Clermont-Ferrand, France, and a TV news segment in Limburg County, Netherlands—highlighting the work our teams accomplished. It was a proud and humbling moment.
From these experiences, I’ve gained more than just practical skills. I’ve witnessed firsthand how strangers from different cultures can come together with a shared purpose—to contribute, learn, and grow. It’s not always easy, but it’s always meaningful. And in every place I’ve been, I carry the same spirit: not just to volunteer, but to connect—with nature, with people, and with something bigger than myself.
