Experiences & lessons learned
On this page you'll find experiences from past volunteers who've completed their projects and past volunteering teams & camps that have been organised in our home country, Finland!
Long term projects
A year at Monaliiku ry
Marc finished his one year long project in Finland at Monaliiku ry, an organisation that works to support the well-being of migrant women through sports.
"I will definitely recommend this experience to everyone under 30 years old. Although at the beginning it can seem scary, It is a unique experience that you will not regret!"
Read more about his experience staying and working in Helsinki, Finland!
A year at Allianssi Youth Exchange
Ioana spent her ESC - volunteering year working at the Allianssi youth exchange offices in Helsinki, Finland.
"My project in Allianssi Youth Exchanges was a journey full of adventures and opportunities, and I don't know how to thank the people enough for their support and encouragement. I really want to say, at the end of my project, kiitos paljon, Suomi!"
Read more about her year of new experiences!
9 months at Dodo oy
Alicia was a long-term volunteer at Dodo, a Finnish environmental NGO based in Helsinki that addresses environmental issues in the community, embraces complexity, and figures things out together
" Now that this adventure is coming to an end, I know for sure that ESC volunteering has been the best decision I could have made. "
Read more about her thoughts on the year that passed through the link in the heading!
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A year at LEKO
Khrystina spent a year in Loimaa Evangelical Folk High School which is involved in local and international projects for kids, youth.
" Although my time as a long-term volunteer has come to an end, the things I learned and the experiences I made will stay with me forever."
Read more about her thoughts on the year that passed through the link in the heading!
A year at Sininauhasäätiö
Paulina spent a year volunteering for Sininauhasäätiö, a finnish organisation that provides help for individuals struggling with homelessness, substance abuse and mental health problems.
"I am so grateful for having had this opportunity to explore a new country, culture and work field that has helped me grow and learn more than I could ever imagine. "
Read more about her thoughts on the year that passed through the link in the heading!
Volunteering teams
Aukusti
Volunteers all over Europe joined together to help build a local Finnish festival called "Aukusti" in Jalasjärvi. Read the full story to see how the group leader Juho-Pekka describes their experience!
No one really knew what to expect from these two weeks but in the end the weather and sun was on our side to keep the mood up and spirit high! -Juho-Pekka
Flora of Finland
This two week long volunteering project was held in beautiful Punkaharju. Read more about the participants thoughts and reflections after the project through the link above!
Being so close to nature and learning so much about it made me feel very lucky ! - Juliette
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Animal Rescue Home
This volunteering team of 10 spent a few weeks amongst the nature in Salo, taking care of animals of Kytömaa animal home! Read more about their experience through the link!
After a week at the Kytömaan farm, I feel that we have formed a great family, thank you for your warm affection. I carry you and Finland in my heart and I promise to return!” - Ivan
Kotofest
In summer 2022, a volunteer group created art for a festival and helped local youth workers with group activities for the new seventh graders. Read more about Jose's experience organising 'Kotofest' above!
”Volunteering in Finland has brought a transformation to my life, I have learned so much and I also have understood myself on levels I had never before. It's been wonderful to volunteer in this beautiful country for a while, I hope I go back soon!”
Nature School
Nature School, a two week long ESC - volunteering camp in Yläne, consisted of helping a local school and doing nature-related activities like canoing and fishing!
"Best experience of my life! I am very happy with the two weeks I spent in Finland, I made new friends, learnt many new things and practised my English. The time went by super fast but it was always full and rewarding."
Preservation of Suomenlinna
This ESC - volunteering team worked on preserving and presenting Suomenlinna, a World Heritage site! Their volunteering experience consisted of garden work, helping resident artists and surveying tourists, to figure out how they enjoyed their stay and to see if they have suggestions on improvements!
Wellbeing from Nature
Volunteers learned forest navigation, conservation, and craftsmanship to harmonize with Finnish nature. After the project with nature-based activities, participants returned home with a greater understanding of eco-friendly living and environmental protection.
Stockfors Wellbeing Village
The host organisation Kasvajat aims at promoting the wellbeing of individuals, communities and whole society. It works to change attitudes towards mental wellbeing
The volunteers assisted in many practical tasks such as moving furniture and doing some construction work etc. to maintain and tidy the area for the summer.
House of Friendship
The purpose of the host association is to practice welfare-promoting hospitality, regardless of religion, sexual or gender orientation or worldview, by promoting face-to-face dialogue, preventing exclusion, rejection and violence in all its forms.
The volunteers took part in manual maintenance and seasonal tasks indoors and outdoors. This was a community project suitable for volunteers interested in experiencing a place of good will, mutual respect, compassion and doing together.
Nature films
The Savonlinna International Nature Film Festival was organized on 18th to 21st August, and the volunteers assisted in various tasks before and during the festival. The main values of the festival were related to the protection of nature and the respect for the environment, so the festival recycled and minimized the waste as much as possible. In addition to the festival preparations, the volunteers did nature activities such as tidying the hiking routes and picking berries, along with other tasks. There were also some Finnish language and culture lessons, workshops, and relaxation sessions.
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Sustainable Summer
Over the course of two weeks, the volunteers engaged in various nature-related activities while getting to know the surrounding area. They tidied hiking routes, created seal-friendly fish traps to protect the endangered Saimaa seal, and learned how to make birdhouses for small birds. The group learned about recycling and sustainability, and they visited places such as an arboretum. Additionally, they had Finnish language and culture lessons, workshops, and time for relaxation.
Sound of Forest
Over a span of two weeks, the participants had a great time learning about the forests, plants, and wildlife in the Punkaharju region. They even had the thrilling opportunity to try and spot a Saimaa seal in the Linnansaari National Park.
They didn't just learn; they also gave back by cleaning up their neighborhood from invasive plants, they helped organize a sports event in Oravi and a multicultural event at Itä-Karjalan Kansanopisto, bringing people from different backgrounds together for fun and learning.
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It was an all-around fantastic experience that combined nature exploration, community service, and cultural exchange.
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Easter in Valencia
For a full two weeks, volunteers lived in a quaint little village named Sanet y Negrals on the east coast of Spain. The village was beautful, with orange trees, mountains, and colorful houses all around.
The tasks were quite diverse. They gave a accommodation makeover, added some charm to the rooftop terrace, and even tried hand at making delicious orange marmalade.
In free time, they had lots of fun. They explored other nearby cities, checked out local attractions, went for swims in the sea, took hikes in the beautiful mountains, and even got a chance to learn about beekeeping. It was a great mix of work and play, and we made wonderful memories during our time in Spain. 🌄🍊🏞️🌆
Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges and Trainings
"Plastic is not Fantastic", 23.5.-5.6.2021, online
"Plastic is not Fantastic" was a youth Exchange gathering online young people from Finland, France, Greece, Estonia and Iceland. The aim of the youth exchange was to reflect on plastic consumption around the world and to think about ideas and actions in order to reduce it. As people were from different countries, we had the opportunity to compare our different practices regarding shopping and recycling but also to discuss about the awareness on this topic in our countries.
IVS4Life, 16.-20.6.21, online + 18.-24.10.21, Lage Vuursche, The Netherlands
The first sessions of IVS4Life was a training held online from the Dutch organisation SIW. The aim of this training was to provide the IVS group leaders with innovative skills to facilitate cross-cultural communication and self-development in their IVS camps, using the method of forum theatre.
First of all, a lot of this online training was about creating a safe and supportive space for all participants. This, in order to fully develop forum theatre. The team building activities and energizers took an important place as it allowed us to feel more comfortable with each other and to get more and more familiar with the concept of forum theatre. One of the exercises was for example using only our bodies to express an emotion.