Last Tuesday, the 26th of March, our volunteer group met together for the last time.

The meeting started as always in the Nowa Huta office, where we discussed the plan for the day, the upcoming workshop, and our departure.

After all formalities were covered, we went to a nearby park to take advantage of the good weather and continue our meeting outside. There, we looked back on the past nine months and shared how this time felt for each of us, what we experienced, and what everyone is taking home. We also reflected on what we learned about Poland after living here for so long, which stereotypes we had before arriving, and how some turned out to be true while others were challenged or disproven.

After the lunch break, the picnic part finally began. We sat together in the park, chatting and eating. Tekla even brought cake for everyone. On the blankets, we reflected once more on our volunteering experience and our mentors. While some of us managed to build friendships beyond the volunteer–mentor relationship, others found their own support systems that helped them through difficult moments.

It was truly nice to see you all again, even if it might have been for the last time.

Article by  Svenja,

European Solidarity Corps volunteer

Point of view of  European Solidarity Corps volunteers  from 02/06/2026