Welcome to the EVS life!

Most of us, we love our lives. We have our friends, our families, our schools, our jobs, pretty much everything. So, we've given up of seeking for the best, for the something that will take our lives to the next level. Although, we're all petrified to step away from our «comfortable» lives for six or ten months or even for a whole year, in the end, thanks to a «miracle», we finally do and here we are! In Reşiţa, a medium sized town in the southwest of Romania, ready to start our new lives.

I've already been here for more than a month and I have to admit that every minute was worth-staying in this new life away from «home». But for all of you who are still hesitant to have this experience, let me explain to you the things I've already done here in only one month.

1. Volunteering

Of course, that's the number one, since EVS is all about volunteering in the society and helping people. In my situation, my project is based on volunteering in schools of Reşiţa, interacting and playing with kids, something that makes me really excited as far as I also study Education back in Greece. But, I'm sure there's always a project suitable for everyone out there.

2. Trips

Either they're inside or outside of the country you're staying, trips are always of the same fun. From small excursions in the nature to longer trips to other countries, trips were always there to fill up my weekends and since now, in just one month, I've been in more places that I would have been in the whole next year, having stayed back in Greece. Because in just one month, I visited three countries (Romania, Serbia, Bulgary) and many many more small towns and villages.

Sofia, Bulgary

3. Culture Exchange and Language Learning

And, of course, a European Union's project couldn't be a European Union's project without learning about Europe. But trust me, you do it the fun way. In this trip, I've met volunteers from France, Germany, Turkey, Belgium, Spain and Italy (as well from Romania). When you interact with so many different people with different nationalities, your different cultures are always a major convarsation issue. And don't forget about the languages! In this big EVS family around Europe, you're welcomed even if you don't know english, as far as you're willing to learn; it won't take a long time anyways. But except for english, there are always many more languages to learn in a multicultural apartment. And don't forget you're in a foreign country! What's the best way to learn a foreign language if not inside the country itself?