I had a lot of doubts and questions in my had when I was first accepted to work with special children, how would it look like? Could I manage? How Polish people would behave?

But these thoughts could not stop me, thanks to the helps from my sending, host and coordinating organizations, I could complete the document process and I reached Poland with a welcoming approach.

After the integration week I started working at school and first days it was sometimes boring as I was not very able to understand everything spoken as most of the teachers I work with don’t speak English. But by the time I made great connections with teachers and with students as well thanks to my fast adaptation to language because I was starting to understand the conversations even though I did not know much what words to choose when I had to speak. This opportunity also provided me the chance to explore the way of being, humor, behaviors of Polish people, I met a nation that I appreciate how sincere, helpful and nice people they are.

I spent many mentally hard days at work, especially first months and in winter it was quite difficult to find motivations, but I also spent many beautiful days, as weather started to get warmer, everything becomes much easier and fun. At the end, I found myself very connected to my lovely students and teachers, it was even sad to say goodbye, farewells can be always a bit sad, I don’t like it but I was not also prepared to it, the children are full of pure love and all sincerity which I always appreciated.

During the project we made also weekly meetings, activities such as volunteer’s day, grill, secret Santa etc. in my coordinator organization so we always stayed connected and we had opportunity to take some break from the workspace and see other volunteers.

When I count all the project in and all this time I spent in Poland, I faced a lot of difficult moments and a lot of beautiful memories, so as life is. It was not very easy to share home with 5 different people in terms of hygiene for example, but at the end I got to know many people, I got new friendships and amazing memories, now I can honestly say that all these challenges built today’s more mature version of me as an individual and I am grateful for all this journey and everything that I learned.

Article by  Berat,

European Solidarity Corps volunteer.

Farewell by European Solidarity Corps volunteer from 28/06/2025.