I decided to apply for this particular volunteering opportunity because I was interested in volunteering in the cultural sector and also I was eager to try out something different than just studying. My favorite experience so far in the place I volunteer was taking pictures at different events and creating social media content. I find it very exciting to work in a place that organizes a lot of different events such as concerts, workshops, festivals etc. because it means that there is always something new to do and it really never gets boring. However, apart from that I have also faced difficulties during the first half of my volunteering experience. The language was particularly a problem for me, especially in the beginning. Regardless of the fact that I already spoke some German, it was difficult to use it on an everyday basis at work, and the fact that classes were not offered for the first 5 months of my experience definitely did not help me solve this issue. I believe that through personal practice and the classes that are currently being offered, I can get past the language barrier.
Apart from that, learning how to compromise and be more patient with the people you live with, was an important teachable moment for me, as well as learning how to communicate better with your flatmates in order to solve issues that concerned all of us for many months, such as the lack of warm water and heating in the house. I also think that through this volunteering experience I came over my fear of being embarrassed. I was embarrassed to speak German, but then I started speaking it. I was embarrassed to communicate with new people in my volunteering organization, but I learned how to. I was embarrassed to find myself in unknown social situations, such as a festival or a concert, and yet I learned how to be helpful during such events as a volunteer. Overall I believe that so far this experience has made me more confident and vocal. I would recommend the long-term volunteering experience to people, only if they are truly prepared to get out of their comfort zone, and if they are prepared to have to stand up for themselves when their living situation in the volunteering flat is not optimal. Furthermore, I would recommend this particular volunteering project that I chose to anyone that wants to try something new, creative and active.