A year ago, I embarked on my adventure as a European Solidarity Corps volunteer with INEX-SDA, in the PR and marketing section. The decision was not easy; on a personal level, it meant being away from the people I love, and professionally, it required leaving a job of two and a half years in human resources. However, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to work in another country, experience a new culture and language, and use English daily. I consider myself a brave person, and I wouldn’t miss the chance to do something I had been thinking about for so long. Taking that decision itself was a big step. I arrived with a mix of expectations and fears, but nothing happened as I imagined. Instead, I faced an entirely different and unexpected experience—one that challenged me in ways I couldn’t have foreseen.
Before that, my only experience living abroad was my Erasmus exchange in Milan, Italy. However, Erasmus felt like living in a bubble. Italy’s culture and lifestyle were much closer to my own, making adapting easier. Although it was a fun and enriching experience where I grew personally, I spent most of my time with other Spaniards. As a result, the cultural exchange was somewhat limited. Erasmus is an exciting adventure of friends, trips, parties, and constant fun, but it doesn’t push you out of your comfort zone as much as the experience I just lived here.
This time, I wanted something completely different. My main goal was to avoid staying in the comfort of making only Spanish friends. Instead, I aimed to connect with locals and international people, improve my English, and immerse myself in Czech culture. This choice made the experience more challenging but also much more rewarding.
There were many difficult moments. It’s not easy to adapt to a new rhythm of life and work and navigate cultural differences in how people communicate (beyond just the language).
However, now I can confidently say that all these difficulties became opportunities to grow. They helped me discover my resilience and inner strength. I leave this experience with greater confidence in myself and a deep belief that no obstacle is insuperable. Somehow, as I’ve learned, we can manage. Furthermore, I feel I know much better what is important in life. Or at least, what my priorities are and how I want to live my life. The two trainings provided by the Czech National Agency are informal trainings where, apart from meeting other volunteers, I took part in workshops and activities to think about myself, the skills I want to improve, what I want in my future career and my future personal life…so that helped me a lot to think in that sense as well.
Professionally, this year has also been transformative. I’ve gained valuable soft skills, improved my English, and learned to use tools like CapCut, Canva, and WordPress. I’ve also received some trainings related to marketing and throughout the daily work I discovered new tools or ways of work organisation, some of which I’d like to implement in my future job.
A significant part of my experience was participating in and leading two workcamps. These were challenging but rewarding opportunities that helped me test my leadership skills and rediscover what I’m capable of. You can read more about my experience leading workcamps in the following article: My Experience Leading Two Workcamps.
In addition to personal and professional growth, this year has been filled with unforgettable travel experiences. Living in the Czech Republic allowed me to explore beautiful destinations both within and beyond its borders. In the Czech Republic, I visited Plzeň, Terezín, Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, Kutná Hora, Český ráj and Náchod, each offering a unique insight into the country’s history and landscapes.
Beyond the Czech Republic, I was able to visit several European cities, including Berlin, Dresden, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest and Kraków. Each destination brought its own charm and cultural experiences.
On the other hand, dealing with loneliness, and missing loved ones also helped me realise how much I care about my people. I really learnt which relationships are important to me and how to keep them. Even though I was far from my loved ones, one of the most beautiful aspects of this year has been the friendships I’ve built. Especially with Flora, the other volunteer with whom I spent the whole year, who became my main source of support here. It’s amazing how someone you didn’t know a year ago can become such an important part of your life. Now, I have a true friend in another country—France—who I’ll be thrilled to visit in the future. How lucky I am because France is a country I always loved. Sometimes life has these kinds of gifts for us.
But not only Flora, this year brought me into contact with people from all walks of life, each of whom left a lasting impression. I had the opportunity to share laughs, thoughts, dinners and breakfast with my flatmates. When I came, Yevheniia, from Ukraine received me in the warmest way I could have imagined. We quickly became like sisters and I felt much realise talking with her in the beginning, when the adaptation process reached the most difficult level. She taught me a lot with her personality and her way of looking at life. I learnt from her that the little everyday problems that I used to give so much importance to are not so important and that true generosity and caring for others is the most beautiful thing we can have in life. Now, I’m saying goodbye to Filip, my flatmate from Poland, whom I visited Kraków with. I will miss the laughs and talking we usually have in the kitchen. I’m sad to say goodbye to him but I’m glad that I believe he will enjoy the rest of his stay here.
After them and all the diverse people I met, I’ve concluded that, at the core, we all share the same fears and emotions. This thought has made me feel more connected to others and, ultimately, more human.
Above all, this year has been a journey of self-discovery. I’ve learned to enjoy my own company and understand myself better. Living in the Czech Republic has taught me how to adapt, grow, and find joy in new and unexpected situations. I now value everything I have, and my only desire is not to forget this lesson and never take anything or anyone for granted. It’s been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life, and I will carry these memories with me forever.
