von ESK-Freiwillige | 11.11.2025 | Nicht kategorisiert
My First Month in Dresden with PJR:
From the very beginning, I got along well with my colleagues and my roommate. I had long known that this city has a very significant history for Germany, but especially for the federal state of Saxony – so it was wonderful to experience this city in person.
I really enjoy the work because it has pushed me to learn new things – especially when it comes to writing and designing on the computer. I am very happy to gain new knowledge about the history, politics, and economy of another country.
In my free time, I also find the opportunity to work on my own projects, which, of course, are related to society, politics, and the economy – so they are closely connected to the activities I do with my colleagues.
I have already visited a few schools and was able to learn about the students’ perspectives on German history.
I am also very happy that I can finally start learning German – thanks in part to the language course provided to me by PJR.
Tobias, Franzi, and Florian have proven to be very understanding, calm, and helpful colleagues.
Looking to the future, I am very optimistic and look forward to learning as much as possible.
Eliseo Guazzarotti
von ESK-Freiwillige | 31.03.2025 | Nicht kategorisiert
Salut 🙂
My name is Elisabeth, I am 19 years old and have been in Nancy, France for six months , where I am doing a nine-month voluntary service within the framework of the European Solidarity Corps (ESK). Before I came here, I did my bilingual Abitur in Dresden at the Romain-Rolland-Gymnasium – so French has been with me for a while now, but living and working in France is a completely different experience.
I work for an organization called CRISTEEL, but what this acronym means I spare you! CRISTEEL has the label of a Europe Direct centre. For those who are not familiar with the term, there are Europe Direct centres all over Europe and they serve to provide information about the EU to citizens within the European Union. This covers everything from political institutions and current developments to practical questions such as how to network or be mobile in Europe. For us, this means that we spend a lot of time in schools, universities and other educational institutions by offering workshops. Or in trains, because we are for said workshops, fairs or events, such as seminars or conferences almost throughout the region „Grand Est“ and sometimes even in neighboring countries. When we are not on the road, the next events are prepared or past ones are rearranged. I am particularly active in the field of public relations and CRISTEEL is also involved in European mobility. This includes the organisation of youth exchanges, but also the information and „sending“ of French young people to volunteer services within the framework of the European Solidarity Corps.
Nancy is a medium-sized student city with many Erasmus students from all over Europe. The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) regularly organises events where students and volunteers can network. Through the exchange with people from different countries, I have gained many new perspectives – not only in everyday life but also during the seminars with other volunteers from all over France. These are organised by the French National Agency and offer the opportunity to share experiences, educate oneself and reflect one’s own commitment.
At the same time, I meet surprisingly many German students and volunteers, among whom I have found good friends. As a result, life in Nancy often feels international, but above all also a little familiar. And if you feel like a change of scenery, the city is ideally located: Metz is only a short train ride away, Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Paris are easily accessible in less than two hours.
Time passes, especially since Christmas, incredibly fast – now I have less than 100 days left in Nancy. That feels strange, to be honest, especially since the first months here were not always easy for me. But that’s what makes this experience so valuable. I have learned to deal with challenges, find my way in a new environment and met great people who I will miss. Above all, my volunteer service has shown me how important and enriching European and international cooperation is. international exchange – not only for your own development, but also for mutual understanding.
My work at CRISTEEL has once again made it clear to me how essential political education is. Many people know little about the structures of Europe or their own ways to shape it. There are so many opportunities – be it through Erasmus, the European Voluntary Service or other programmes. Showing these possibilities and making them tangible is something that will certainly accompany me in the future.
I can only recommend everyone to have such an experience – whether as part of a voluntary service, study or internship abroad. Even if it is sometimes challenging at the beginning and you miss the familiar environment, these experiences offer a valuable opportunity to grow personally and professionally.
von ESK-Freiwillige | 27.02.2025 | Nicht kategorisiert
Hello everyone,
I am Libera, the European volunteer at PJR.
I live and work in Dresden for 6 months. It makes me sad when I think that in six months I will have to leave this beautiful city and this good organization, which gave me the opportunity to do this year abroad.
Within the PJR, I have participated in various workshops ranging from the Nazi period to extremism in Germany where I was able to learn much more about German politics, also due to the fact that there were two elections since my arrival here. Then I also took part in Actionbound tours through the city with videos, photos and quizzes covering various topics, including the history and times of the GDR.
In the office, I like to make new things to use my creativity and also to get more skills with the computer.
Here in the office I feel very comfortable; they are friendly and helpful.
As far as my life here in Dresden is concerned, I have found some friends with whom I can sometimes go out and speak German, in general I like the youthful life of this city very much because it is fresh and beautiful.
I like to spend my time doing sports or going to the gym.
In October, I attended a seminar in Bremen where I had the opportunity to make international friendships that currently live in different cities of Germany. This is very interesting for me because it gives me the opportunity to visit my friends, but at the same time to discover more and more Germany. So far I have been in Berlin, Rostock, Bremen and Hamburg.
In mid-March I am attending another seminar in Weimar and hope to make more friends so that I can discover the beautiful corners of Germany on my travels.
This experience helps me a lot, I am from Italy and don’t really feel like going to university, now, thanks to the work that I’m experiencing at PJR, I would like to study in the social field.
We keep our fingers crossed!
von ESK-Freiwillige | 13.02.2025 | Nicht kategorisiert
Volunteering with an environmental NGO in Malta
Bonjou,
I am Martha, 19 years old and have been spending my ESK volunteer year in Malta since August 2024.
Even though Malta is even smaller than Dresden, there is a lot to discover. From sea, cliffs and hot summer sun to full, southern towns with traditional colorful boats in the harbor to almost daily fireworks in summer that can be heard all over the island. And even now I am still finding new places.
Together with 11 other volunteers, I work at BirdLife Malta (BLM), an environmental NGO that is part of the international BirdLife network and deals with bird and nature conservation in Malta. Several nature reserves are managed by BLM, but they are all quite small. The organization also works against illegal activities during and outside the hunting and trapping season, as bird hunting is a long-standing Maltese tradition. There is also a rehabilitation center for injured birds in one of the reserves.
During my third week in Malta, I was able to witness the release of a flamingo that had previously been rescued from inappropriate husbandry and had to be nursed back to health for a long time. This is still one of my biggest highlights.
As there is little wild nature in Malta due to the heat and urbanization, there is also little connection with it in society.
That is why BirdLife Malta has an Education Department, where I work as an Education Assistant. The aim is to teach children about the environment at pre-school age, which in most cases is not done by schools or their parents. My tasks are very diverse. On the one hand, I work in the office and take care of bookings for school visits to our reserves. On the other hand, I lead the school visits for the youngest pupils myself, run workshops in schools together with my colleagues and look after our stands at larger events or markets. For me, the school visits are a personal favorite, which I wouldn’t have expected beforehand. But when I’m told by a five-year-old birdwatcher that he can even see South America with binoculars, or when a six-year-old pulls me from plant to plant to show me something or excitedly asks me questions, it brings me so much joy to see how enthusiastic the children are.
Malta welcomed me in the hottest month, but despite the heat and dryness, I was immediately charmed by its cute colorful balconies, bright stone buildings and sea views. There are many beautiful spots on cliffs or beaches to admire sunsets and at every corner you stumble upon a church or a cat. I also find it so convenient that you can be anywhere in the country in 2.5 hours at most. And that’s only because the buses are almost always late, and you often have to let buses pass because they are too full. You can get wonderfully crispy “pastizzi” pastries everywhere here for a small price and in six months‘ time I will probably miss them just as much as the bitter orange herbal drink “Kinnie”, my friends, who are also volunteers with BirdLife Malta, and enjoying the sea, the sun and the view of the capital Valletta on Manoel Island after work.
von ESK-Freiwillige | 08.10.2024 | Nicht kategorisiert
Hello everyone!
I am Libera, from Italy and I am the new ESK volunteer at PJR.
This year I did my Abitur in Economics and International Relations, where I studied German for five years at school.
It’s my first time in Germany and I’m very happy to work here for a year, this is also my first big project. In the past, however, I’ve already been a two-week-long in a simulation as a New Zealand Ambassador to the United Nations in New York.
Since I was 16 years old, I worked as a waitress in a hotel in Padua, because I like to be in contact with people and get to know different cultures. I also love sports like volleyball, as well as art, literature, history and visiting all museums.
I love Dresden because it is so beautiful and quiet, and I can be myself. I take a German course twice a week to improve myself and then I go to the gym three times per week and on Thursdays I play volleyball.
Here I take part in many workshops, which give me the opportunity to learn more about German culture.
I have just returned from my volunteer service training in Bremen with other European volunteers. It was a nice experience, I met many young people, also Italians and we talked about our projects in Germany and future projects.
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