It’s been a little over 7 months since I came to Kraków and it’s now my time to leave. It still feels like I’m going on a trip and then I’m coming back, but not, this time is permanent and I’m moving back to Spain.

That decision ended up being the best of my life…

It’s hard to explain how much I changed as a person since I came here. It was a rushed decision, from the moment I decided to apply until I arrived in Poland it was only about three weeks. That decision ended up being the best of my life. I grew, met incredible people and realised what I actually want to do moving forward.

Interacting with locals & internationals

This was not my first experience living abroad, as I had already done an Erasmus exchange in Rome. However, this was different, as being part of an ESC project made me able to interact so much more with the local population and actually experience Poland. And, if you add all of the people from all over Europe and the rest of the world that I met, it makes the perfect international experience.

School experience

I did not know what to expect about the volunteer work itself, since I had never worked in a school environment before nor I had ever studied something related to education. When I arrived at the first school, all of the teachers were super welcoming, and I quickly became close with the kids, started learning what their necessities were and how to work with them. Same thing at the second school, with the only difference being that sadly I had less time with them.

The best part of the project: the trainings

One of the best things from this project were the trainings, both the on-arrival and the mid-term training. I met the most interesting, lively and energetic people there, and we had the most inspirational conversations. There is something about spending 5 days with 20 people from different countries and cultures that all came to Poland to spend their time volunteering that makes it magical.

…fell in love with the city of Kraków…

I also fell in love with the city of Kraków, the young energy of the place and the endless possibilities. I was lucky enough to travel quite a bit during my time here, both throughout Poland (loved Gdansk and Zakopane) and a bit internationally as well. Make the most out of your free days and go explore if you can!

My experience ended, but maybe your’s is starting!

To the people that are considering coming to be a volunteer in IB Polska and are reading this trying to decide, I think you can tell that I loved my time here, so much that I was actually supposed to stay only until March and decided to extend it. My experience here has come to an end, but more exciting things await for me, and I am sure also for you if you decide to come here. Good luck!

Article by Iria,
European Solidarity Corps Volunteer