It’s September 24, 2024. After a year of an ESC project in Slovenia—exploring, traveling, meeting people, and discovering (myself)—the time has come to return to Belgium. For the occasion, my parents made the journey from my small Belgian village to Ljubljana. The moment to leave has arrived. With a car loaded with memories, a pang of sadness, and a sense of accomplishment, I head home with them.

I never imagined I would experience such a rich, challenging, and extraordinary year. And I am deeply grateful for it. Now, I would like to share my story with you and take the time to reflect on everything that has happened. Who knows, maybe it will inspire some of you to take the plunge, because over the past year, I have discovered that we are capable of so many things.

Let’s take it step by step and go back to 2023. At the time, I was 24, and the end of my studies was approaching fast. All I had left to complete was my thesis, and then I would be ready to enter the job market. But wait, Élise! Is this really the right time for you? Maybe not, probably not. The excitement of embarking on an adventure and doing a project abroad was far stronger.

An idea had been swirling in my head. Last summer, a friend had told me about European Solidarity Corps (ESC) projects. These are voluntary initiatives in Europe, lasting up to a year, funded by the European Union for young people aged 18 to 30. When he shared his experience in Italy, describing how incredible it was, he filled my eyes with sparkles and my head with ideas. Reflecting on the inspiration he gave me, I knew what adventure awaited me at the end of my studies: an ESC project.

In May 2023, I began searching for MY project. Yes, there are plenty of projects, but the right one, the one that truly fits you, is rare. For almost three months, I combed through listings on the European Youth Portal, keeping my needs and desires in mind. I applied to a few projects and went through the interview stages. Then, on August 7, 2023, I received this message from Sara, an employee at Zavod Voluntariat, an NGO in Slovenia:

“With this email, I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected as our ESC volunteer for the position of placement officer.”

After sorting out the last administrative details, it was official: I was leaving for a one-year ESC project in Slovenia, starting on September 7, 2023. A mix of fear of the unknown and excitement flooded over me. But there wasn’t much time to reflect on what lay ahead; I first had to wrap up my chapter in Belgium: move out, attend medical appointments, say goodbye to family and friends.

Time flew by. Thirty days passed in the blink of an eye. And there I was, at Liège station with my two large suitcases, hoping they contained everything I would need for my life in Slovenia. I boarded my first train. Destination: Slovenia. The big adventure was finally starting.

To your surprise, things didn’t go as you might imagine. Sure, as I mentioned at the beginning, this experience was incredible, but like in any good story, not everything was rosy. In fact, my first few months in Slovenia were rather complicated and full of challenges.

I arrived in Slovenia with stars in my eyes and specific expectations in mind. Very quickly, I was faced with a reality check: things don’t always go as planned, but that’s one of the valuable lessons I learned. The beginning was quieter than expected, and despite my thirst for work, I wasn’t given enough tasks to satisfy it. This led me to rethink my role and what else I could contribute.

In terms of relationships, I had hoped to find support from the other volunteer I was working and living with. But our very different personalities made communication and collaboration difficult. At the same time, I was excited to form a close circle of friends, but I eventually realized that meaningful connections take time to build and flourish.

Despite these few disappointments, I never stopped taking action, making connections, sharing ideas, and seeking solutions to make my ESC project everything I had always hoped for. The beginning of 2024 marked an important turning point. After a short trip to Belgium for the holidays, I returned determined and full of optimism for the rest of my adventure.

I decided to take on even more than before! I took more initiative within my organization and seized every opportunity that came my way. I participated in training programs that took me to Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and Bulgaria. While deepening my knowledge in the role I was performing, I also discovered the art of facilitation, which I became passionate about. And most importantly, I started to carve out my own path toward resilience in my life and my work.

Looking around me, I realized that the friends by my side today had become close friends. I also met new volunteers who played an important role in my project. Surrounded and supported by these people from all over the world, who now held a special place in my new life, I felt loved and incredibly lucky. Even after some of them left, I continued to make equally meaningful connections until the end of this adventure.

Beyond the project and the wonderful people I met, I also learned more about myself. Élise, this bold explorer, craves new experiences and loves to share the little things that amaze her with others. This year, you have lived incredible adventures: you traveled to unknown countries, organized activities from A to Z, and climbed numerous peaks, both literally and figuratively. You surprised yourself, you dared, and you realized that you are capable of so many things.

Now that I’ve realized this, I encourage you to take the leap too, because you are just as capable.

I can’t finish this story without thanking certain people who made this adventure possible. A big thank you to my host organization, Zavod Voluntariat, and the amazing team: Maja, Suzana, Sara, and Katja. I also think of my sending organization, Les Compagnons Bâtisseurs. And most of all, I thank myself for having the courage to follow through with this journey and daring to go for it.

Thank you for reading my story all the way to the end.

See you soon for new adventures.