After five months in Bremen, I can definitely confirm that time flies faster when you’re happy. I feel like I just arrived, yet here I am, writing this from my mid-term seminar, a moment that marks the halfway point of my volunteering project. This seminar has been a great opportunity to meet other volunteers, exchange experiences, and reflect on how much has changed since I first stepped into my journey. But, as expected from living with so many people that work with children, I also got sick here… just like I did in my first seminar. Maybe it’s my tradition now? And while we’re on the topic of suffering, I also learned that I despise ginger shots.
Moving to a new country is never easy, but I was lucky to find myself surrounded by amazing people. My flatmates have become a second family to me. We spend so much time together—cooking, watching movies, having interesting conversations, or just laughing about how chronically online we are. It’s something I was really hoping for before coming here, and I’m so thankful that we get along so well.
One of my favorite memories so far was a trip to Berlin in December, where my dear friend and flatmate and I went to a Genshin orchestra concert. Sitting there, completely immersed in the music, felt like a dream. I never imagined seeing so many people who enjoy the same things I do together in one place. Which makes me think I should go to comic cons more often.
Although I had big plans to travel more, the cold weather kept us indoors more than I expected. Hopefully, this will change as spring arrives, and we’ll finally get to explore more—maybe even by bike, if they don’t get stolen immediately (which is apparently very common here!).
My project has been a huge part of my personal growth. I truly enjoy the work I do and the people I work with. Every day brings new challenges, but also new lessons. The best part is that I’ve started using German at work, which was one of my biggest goals when I came here. Seeing my colleagues’ happy and supportive reactions when I try to speak in German makes me feel incredibly proud. It reminds me why I’m putting so much effort into learning the language. Also, constant visits of delegations keep me well-fed for free. I don’t remember seeing so much fancy food before. (All my flatmates hate me for this also, lmao.)
Being surrounded by other volunteers is also one of the most motivating aspects of this experience. The volunteer community here is strong, and it’s amazing to have people who understand exactly what you’re going through. We all have different projects, different backgrounds, and different goals, but we share the same spirit of adventure and curiosity. Learning from their experiences—not just about volunteering but also about life in Germany—has been incredibly valuable. And knowing that there are people who support me on this journey makes everything even better, both here and at home. I am also grateful for my family, who visit me every chance they get.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that five months can pass in the blink of an eye. While that makes me a little melancholic, I also feel incredibly grateful for everything I’ve experienced so far. I’ve grown, I’ve learned, I’ve made amazing friends, and I’ve had so many unforgettable moments. And I know there are still more to come.
Of course, the future is always a bit scary. Sometimes, I catch myself worrying too much about what comes next. But I’m trying to remind myself that I still have five more months to enjoy here. If I take the time to research and plan well, I know I’ll find something that I will love doing next. Fingers crossed!
For now, I just want to keep making the most of every moment—whether it’s laughing with my flatmates, learning something new at work, or simply enjoying the little joys of everyday life in Bremen.
If you’re thinking about volunteering, all I can say is: do it. You never know how much an experience like this can change you until you’re in the middle of it. And who knows? Maybe in a few months, you’ll be writing a report just like this one, wondering how time passed so fast.
Omnia mutantur nos et mutamur in illis.
Belit is hosted by Freie Hansestadt Bremen Senatskanzlei (Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Senate Chancellery) on our project co-funded by the European Union.
