EVS - filled time or killed time

EVS is a project of the European Union, which aims to increase the voluntary activities and the intercultural understanding amongst young people in Europe. It is an excellent opportunity to live abroad for a while and feel the life in that country, while working on a thrilling project. Although we can find all the “sugar-coated” facts about EVS on any official EU-web-page, it is not so easy to find the real opinions; weather volunteers consider the project as filled or killed time. I am quite lucky to have many friends who have somehow been involved in this project, and have therefore provided me with a deeper and better understanding about it.
My personal believe is that volunteerism is the highest gesture of humanitarianism we could encounter in our “selfish” era. There are billions of people, populating our world, but how many of them are Humans? In our modern, busy time, everyone is so over occupied with their own deeds and problems, that we forget to look around – see the beauty of nature, enjoy a spectacular street performance by an un-known artist, give a helping hand for just a smile in return… I am very happy to see how many young people, like me, are joining a voluntary activity, just for the sake of doing something good. Even as members of Non-profit organizations or movements, we can still notice the importance of the individual and the results of the contribution of a single act.
EVS is opening opportunities throughout whole Europe for individuals to implement a volunteer project, while experiencing an amazing adventure and enjoying the satisfaction of doing something meaningful with each passing day. The diversity of projects is huge – social and humanitarian, cultural and educational, ecological and environmental and many more. I think this great variety is the main factor for the success of almost every EVS – the volunteer can choose their favourable country and find organizations, matching their personal criteria and goals (and dreams). And if you really enjoy, what you are doing – the complete success is unavoidable. Apart from working on the project, the volunteer experiences the life in the country – structures, connections, people, communication and all the bits and pieces of every-day life. It sounds intriguing and yet normal, when we picture in our heads f. ex. a Dane on EVS in Switzerland. But the reality is shocking (and inspiring) f. ex. Frenchman - in Macedonia, Norwegian – in Serbia, Spanish – in Bosnia, and many more. If we must speak about intercultural communication and international collaboration – EVS in an amazing tool to develop both in young Europeans. But the greatest part of the character, which EVS participation improves (in my opinion), is Understanding – it is just great to meet people from all-over the continent who are friendly, open and non-offensive; no stereotypes and no pre-determined opinions – you are being evaluated for who you are, not where you come from. It is relieving to feel like a Person in this society and have the freedom to communicate with other People. I think this is maybe the most important, because nowadays people are very egoistic. We are facing de-humanism – the era of technologies has developed communication to such a level, that we no longer need to meet with our employer, teacher, the person at the cashier... This I think is what makes EVS so great – the project helps the development of character, leadership abilities and working in international environment.
On a Training course on the qualities of EVS, I got the opportunity to learn so much about EVS first-hand and get as many recommendations as I could. One of my mostly asked questions was “When is it best to do an EVS?” The advice I got was to firstly finish my education. As I can see, many people do exactly the same – they either squeeze the EVS between their secondary and higher education or they do it after graduating the latter. I think this idea, to fill-in this free year with some volunteer work, is brilliant. Like many, I think this gap year is very important for taking the major decisions, especially the “what do I want to do with my life?”. Living in a foreign country for a while, gives you a whole new perspective, and this could only help you make a better choice. I have asked many people if they regretted doing their EVS, instead of starting an educational programme or finding a conventional job – none of them considers it any kind of a disappointment. Moreover – I started to feel bad, I haven’t done one myself!. A project like this helps to have a better overview on what is going on in the world and shaping each individual’s objectives – how can I be a better person and how can I contribute to make this world a better place.
“Love, Thankfulness and Sincerity are these magical feelings, that when you utter one, it goes through all-over your body, filling it with warmth, joy and pleasure.” Mirzakarim Norbekov
This is one of my favourite quotations, which keeps on reminding me to be honest, helpful and thankful. Volunteerism in not the only way to show you care about the world around you– but doing something worthwhile is more substantial than saying a lot of pretty words. I am happy I am volunteering; I am happy I have the confidence, if I want to change something, to just stand up and do it; I am happy I know, if I would like to do something, there are another hundred people, wanting to do the same thing. And what is the price – appreciative nodding, precious smile, sincere “Thank you!”, and that warm feeling, which “goes all-over your body, filling it with warmth, joy and pleasure”.