Something different this summer

I wanted a change this summer. This year was about giving back, doing something for someone else. To be a part of something bigger than myself. So next thing I know I am booking a sustainable agriculture volunteer program in Romania for a week, through IVHQ and Care2Travel. This was just a taster, I didn’t want to get ahead of myself as it was the first time I was completely travelling alone.

Getting ready for this I was nervous and anxious, questioning if I’d made the right decision and it wasn’t too late to back down. All I could think about was; I am about to go to a country I have never been to before, live with people I have never met before. Am I going to get along with the people there? is this program the right fit for me? will I make a difference in such a short period of time?

The moment I stepped into the airport I was welcomed by Inu our driver and three other volunteers arriving on the same day as me. By the end of a five-hour drive most of my anxieties had melted off by the conversation flow and nestled in the mountains was Miercurea Ciuc. We dropped our bags at the accommodation made quick introductions and joined some other volunteers in discovering the town, it was the ‘potato festival’. There were food stalls, lights and live music, we even ended up dancing with a local gypsy.

The first day was orientation day, it was time to properly introduce ourselves to one another and go over the details of the town and work schedule. Awkwardness, the first fifteen minutes then someone cracks a joke, then tension from that moment melts away.

When I reached my placement and I first laid eyes at the community garden I was daunted it was huge project there was so much to do. Our volunteer leaders Peter and Jackie were full of reassurance and help telling us that they were open to our ideas and that our input no matter how small was significant. So sleeves were rolled up and days were spent in the community garden getting everything back into shape, ploughing, digging and weeding under the sun, with a cup of tea here and there. After work the day was mine. I managed to experience aerial yoga for the first time, chimney cake, family style dinner with my fellow volunteers and also my first tattoo.

At the end of my stay I could already see a difference in the garden it looked as if it were up and running. There was that enormous sense of achievement. The last night of my program was the icing on the cake. All of us had huddled up near a fire making smores underneath the stars, talking about our journeys, dreams and goals.

All of those fear and worries were uncalled for because at the end of the volunteer program I honestly came out of it getting more than I expected. It truly changed me. I came out with friends and an appreciation towards finding a common goal even though we all came from different back grounds. The only regret I have is, I wish I had stayed a little longer…