My EVS!

I can’t remember the first time I heard about EVS, but I remember that I always knew that I wanted to volunteer. I regularly checked different EVS offers and in March 2014 I finally found a perfect project for me.

My project lasted 8 months and now as I’m back in Estonia I always look back on the project with a smile on my face. I think adapting to reality and to new situations is a very important characteristic to have when you are moving to a foreign country. Usually new beginnings are not easy and also for me it took some time to get used to my new job and a new life. I remember thinking that even though it can be hard at times in the end it’s going to be worth it. I think one of the most important lessons I learned was that if felt great to stand up for myself and by doing that I gained a lot of confidence. 

I often think about the patients who I spent time with. They were all always so friendly, cheerful and full of life and love. I most enjoyed the moments that happened spontaneously, when the patients danced and sang along the music, when I draw and solved puzzles with them or when I would just listen to music with them. Simple things like that would always make the patients so happy and it also taught me how small things in life matter a lot. 

Already during my first month I took part of trips, excursions and different events. I think it’s important to start doing things, visiting new places as soon as possible, as the time will go so quickly. I am very happy that I had the opportunity to spend my summer there as it was full of sunshine, travelling, parties and meeting with a lot of new people. I enjoyed all the trips to different islands like Mykonos, Zakynthos, Crete and to different cities like Thessaloniki and Nafplio but it also always felt great to be back in Athens. For me Athens felt like home already in the first months, I really liked living in this city and being part of this historical place.

During my time there I met with many amazing people and made a lot of wonderful memories. Athens and the people I get to know, will always have a special place in my heart.

Laura Piperal

My EVS in Athens

My EVS in Athens

In January 2014 I packed my huge luggage, it was time in the middle of the winter but my destination was sunny Greece.  I was chosen to be an EVS volunteer for EDRA in Athens where I worked with mentally disabled people. Now one year after spending already two months back in my home country Finland I start to understand what kind of experience it was. I can recommend EVS for everyone who is interested in getting to know a new culture and exploring a different country in Europe. Especially after graduation from high school EVS is a great opportunity when you don`t know yet exactly what you would like do for your job when you`ll get older.

I found my work very interesting in the daily care centre where we did activities like crafts, going out for coffee and cooking. I really liked communicating with our patients. First it was challenging because of lack of common language.  Little by little using body language and learning basics of Greek it became a bit easier. I felt happy to see patients smiling and enjoying what we were doing during our workshops for example candles, keychains and wreaths to sell in the Easter and Christmas bazaars.  My supervisor, coordinator and mentor were always helpful and they tried in the best way to support us volunteers. It made me feel comfortable after a cultural shock in the beginning. It took me some time to get used to live far from home for the first time independently without my family and friends. Now I feel Greece as my home where I hope to go for a visit many times in the future.

Athens is a very interesting place to do EVS. After taking a look to all the touristic sights like Acropolis and museums it`s time head your way to a nice café, a restaurant or a bar. Athens is full of them. There is a lot of events and in the summer period it´s great to go to beach. It`s around half an hour from the city centre by bus or by tram. If you just have a chance you need to go also outside Athens. Greece has countless amounts of beautiful destinations, for instance islands Zakynthos, Santorini and Hydra are really worth visiting.  There are very unique places with different kind of nature. Also in the mainland are very interesting places like breathtaking Meteora with monasteries and mountains and the second biggest city of Greece, Thessaloniki.

EVS is an extremely exciting opportunity in the every field; it`s volunteering, new experiences, friends and growing up!

Matleena Kinnunen