When I arrived in Slovenia, I never expected to feel so well surrounded and supported, both personally and professionally. From the very beginning, I was welcomed into a new environment where I could learn, make mistakes, ask questions, and gradually find my place.

Looking back now, I realize how much this year has contributed to my personal growth and how many things I have learned, not only about volunteering and working in a new space, but also about myself. One of the biggest changes I have noticed is the confidence I have gained, especially when it comes to communication. Living and working in a country where English is not the local language pushed me to step outside my comfort zone every day. Speaking a foreign language means sometimes having to search for the right words, adapt the way you express yourself, and accept that you will not always communicate perfectly. At first, this could feel challenging, but over time I learned to trust myself and to focus less on making mistakes and more on making myself understood.

Working with children made this challenge even more interesting. Some of the children I worked with did not speak English, which meant that communication could not always rely on words. I had to find other ways to connect with them: through gestures, facial expressions, creativity, patience, and sometimes simply by trying different approaches. This experience taught me that communication is much more than speaking the same language. It is also about listening, observing, adapting, and being willing to meet the other person halfway.

This year has therefore helped me develop many skills that I will carry with me in the future: adaptability, patience, creativity, independence, and, above all, confidence in my ability to communicate and connect with others. It has also taught me to be more comfortable with uncertainty and with situations where I do not immediately have all the answers. Beyond the skills I have gained, this experience has also been about the people I met and the relationships I built.

Having a supportive environment made it easier to take on challenges, try new things, and grow both personally and professionally. I am leaving this experience with a better understanding of myself, a greater sense of confidence, and many memories that I will take with me.

Solenne