Things that no one tells you about volunteering abroad

Hardly anyone speaks in connection with studying/living or volunteering abroad about some things, namely the practical aspects of it, which are different for each participant and also each country. One of the things I have learned on my first short-term voluntary service and now I am just confirming is that it is not a bubble out of my "ordinary" life, that volunteering never means a new life or a vacation that has nothing to do with the "old" one.

A year (or even a less time) abroad is a perfect experience, and in my life has meant great changes.  But I also noticed one thing. From the moment you submit your application until your departure, everyone is talking more or less about the same thing. They all deal with country, money, packing, accommodation and other (undoubtedly important!) things.

All these questions are on point and of course, it is important to ask them.
But somehow, while preparing to live abroad, it is often forgotten that the "home life" does not end.
And this is one of the things that nobody talks about and it is also the thing that hit me hardest.

You´re starting again but not from the bottom.

Whatever I have dealt with - good and bad - before arriving, came here with me, even though I did not pack it in my suitcase:

1. there will be a life after the service, and I still intend to return to my home university, where the application deadlines are scheduled really early

Except of a few, the most of us will have to return to their normal life routines sooner or later. Even if you engage in the European Solidarity Corps as a gap year to think about and to re-arrange your future life, gain some experience or just as a way to get out of your comfort zone and walk the extra mile, keep eye on the possible restrictions and deadlines you will have to face afterwards. Many universities have their application deadlines scheduled pretty early and with scholarships it is basically almost a year in advance so even though it may seem more adventurous, last minute decisions are not always possible.

Another very important thing is a general check-up at your doctor or dentist. It may not be a problem for you in the actual year, but once you are home or in a next year, your insurance company may surprise you in a not very pleasant way. Many of them require you to have general check-up done in the previous year, in order to cover some procedures in the following year, which is especially common thing related to dental procedures. It may take you a few minutes of your holiday at home or before the departure but it is really worth considering.

2. I remain responsible for domestic payments, such as a insurances or a phone

Another lesson of adulting was the perks of dealing with the bureaucracy before departure. As a volunteer, you are no longer having status of a student and this includes in many countries some extra steps you have to take before you leave for a few months. It may be just some insurance measures or job-center paperwork but its smart and way cheaper to run all the errands before the departure than once you are abroad. As you become older than 18, you are a legal person, which also means that you get your legal rights and some things cannot be done by your parents in your name anymore.  They can´t run the errands for you or even accept a registered letter or to sign something for you in many cases.

3. I won’t learn the foreign language just because I am abroad

Besides all that I brought here, I figured out another thing: nothing is automatic - just like at home. It will not be automatic to get to know the people; it will not be automatic to let them know me. It is also not automatic that I am learning language just because I am here.

Real story: I was responsible of organizing free time activities for exchange students from the US, who came to Germany to spend their semester abroad here. After 4 months, there were ones, who still did not make it further than to count to 10 and order a beer in a bar. They admitted it was because most of their buddies (from the US as well) speak to each other in English. Ding-ding! It is not obvious that people will try to learn together, such people need to be found. It is not easy and it is not automatic at all since speaking English is for most people way more convenient than having to deal with the articles and declination in German.

4. I still do not know what I'm going to do after school, even though I have my dreams and desires and concerns (and they all got into the suitcase surprisingly!)

This is my own personal experience. All the worries and problems I thought I can escape from, my joys, questions, insecurities – it all came here with me.
I wouldn´t change from day to day to a new person as I expected. I can even - and this shocked me at most - feel alone. Even though the crowd of new people in my work, neighborhood or new friends.

On the other side, I've learned to really value having the freedom and power to be comfortable with solitary. Loneliness is derived more from being surrounded by people you do not think you can relate to and who don't put in the effort to try to relate to you. Which is not related to a place you are at.  

Friendship, language, school, financial issues, it cannot be left behind, so if you are deciding whether to go or not, it is important for you to know that your life will go with you. However, this is not a reason not to file an application! This is just a reflection of the fact, that not everything can always be perfect in both - at home or abroad.