In The Beginning

Vishenka Lake Vinnytsia

How my ESC adventure was started. 

After the roller-coast ride of April, May and the life shattering month of June 2020. I found myself lost and wondering what to do next. As a graduate of International Relation finding work was all ready changeling enough before COVID-19 came along and decimated my back plan of becoming an English teacher. Thankfully a good friend of my recommended ESC and to have a look if there were an interesting projects that might combined my passion for politics and my newly acquired skills in teaching.

What is ESC

ESC stands for European Solidarity Corps and allows young people between the ages of 18-30 to partake in projects set up NGO around Europe and surrendering regions. ESC is a sister initiative of Erasmus Plus and helps 

Central Shopping Street Vinnytsia

simulate mobility and intercultural corporation with and within the EU. Participants can choose from a wide variety of projects ranging from 3 months to a year. The topic areas range from stainable development, political engagement, sports, non formal education, working with refugees and many others. If selected The European Union funds, all travel expenses, like visa and flights. Accommodation, living expenses and a small allowance for the volunteer. The volunteer will also get lessons in the local language which is also paid for.


Because of share volume of projects, the key is to take your time and get in contact with the organisation who have the projects you are interested in. talk to them about what you will be doing and it it's like to live and work in the country you would be visiting. There is on rush because there are many projects to chose from. Finding the right fit is beneficial for you only get to complete one project under the ESC fund.

 

Why Ukraine

After a few interviews,  I decided to apply to a project in Non formal education at  the NGO "Pangeya Ultima Development centre "  in the city of Vinnytsia, west Ukraine. The project is divided into three section; Cultural education, Armature media production and Rural Development. My main role will be to plan and run language/cultural lessons for both English and Dutch. Co Plan and Run events Intercultural Youth Studio which builds on students Film and Photography skills. I will also be Co planing and organise a creative writing and debate club which will fall under both the Cultural education, Armature media production projects. The Rural Development project is aimed at building and running Eco Centre in a small village called Stina.

City centre Vinnytsia

My main motivation for wanting to be apart of these projects was because of the unique combination of both education and media production. I saw the opportunity to not only be able to input skills from my International relations and my teaching background but also be able to learn and practise new skills in media production especial photography. The second reason was simple to work and live in Ukraine a part of world I would have visited regardless but now  I get to experiencing living here as well. Lastly, learning another language especially a Eastern European one is always useful for anyone wanting to work in International Relations.

 

Useful links 

 If you want to find out more about the ESC or want to look for your own project. 

Check out the ESC website or my sending organisation east packers for information. One can also check out Erasmus-Plus with similar projects as they too have some over leap with the ESC.

https://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/project_en

https://eastpackers.nl/vrijwilligerswerk/projecten/

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/node_en

 

Apartment in outer suburb Vinnytsia
Outer Suburb Close to My Flat

New Home
Administration Building of the Local Government

   

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 29, 2020 at 12:40 AM

    Hoi Paul, wat een mooi avontuur ga je hier weer beleven. Ik wens je heel veel succes!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 18, 2020 at 5:47 AM

    Leuk Paul! Wanneer komt je volgende update?

    ReplyDelete

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