Volunteering in Northern Spain
Hi everyone! My name is Alexandra, and in August 2023, I took part in my very first international volunteering project in Spain, near Oviedo. The program lasted two weeks, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I had never traveled so far alone before, so it was reassuring that there was an option to apply with a friend. In the end, one of my friends also got into the camp, so we started this adventure together.
What was the camp about?
The project took place on a self-sustaining farm in the mountains, far from the city noise, surrounded by beautiful, untouched nature. The goal was to make the farm more sustainable and livable while keeping its natural harmony.
Our daily life was filled with hard work. We renovated old buildings, cleared around the solar panels, did gardening, painted, and sanded. Coming from a city background, these were all new skills for me, but that’s what made the experience so special. It was a completely different lifestyle than anything I had known before.
The mountain air, the silence, the teamwork, and the simplicity of life gave me a whole new perspective on sustainability and human connections. In the evenings, we cooked together using local ingredients, shared stories about our cultures, and had long conversations by the campfire under the starry sky.
Challenges that built me
Of course, it wasn’t all easy. The mountain weather was unpredictable. During the day, we often worked under the blazing sun, while at night the temperature dropped significantly. The physical work was also much tougher than I expected.
The basic infrastructure was minimal: we had to be careful with water and electricity, and there were no shops or restaurants nearby. We cooked for ourselves, eating what we could grow or source. Internet connection was weak, which felt strange at first, but over time it became liberating. For once, I could truly be present.
Another huge learning experience was working with so many people from different backgrounds. We came from different countries, cultures, and ways of thinking, but those differences made us more open. Instead of focusing on what separated us, we looked for what brought us together.
Every challenge brought me closer to myself and to the people I worked with. Looking back now, I see that those difficulties didn’t take away from the experience, they made it deeper.
What did this experience give me?
Those two weeks gave me so much more than I ever expected. It wasn’t just physically challenging; it shaped me mentally too. I learned to appreciate simplicity and discovered how freeing a self-sustaining lifestyle can be. I gardened, renovated, cooked, lived in a community, things I’d never have done in a city environment.
I learned a lot about others, but even more about myself. I realized I can adapt, get used to new situations, and even enjoy things that were way outside my comfort zone at first.
The community also meant a lot to me. We worked together, helped each other, laughed, shared food, experiences, and energy. Every night by the campfire, I felt like I was part of something meaningful. If I ever get the chance, I will definitely go back. The place, the mountains, the farm, the people, and the atmosphere will always stay with me.
Why volunteer?
For me, volunteering wasn’t just about traveling, it was real personal growth. It gave me the chance to be useful while gaining new experiences and understanding the world better.
This experience taught me that sustainability isn’t just a concept, but a way of life worth trying. It made me rethink how I use resources, how I value relationships, and what true cooperation really means.
If you’re even considering joining a project like this, my advice is: go for it. Because you won’t just help others, you’ll discover so much about yourself too.
