What I Learned: Ines's Tips for a Successful Volunteering Year

🌍 So You Wanna Be a Volunteer? Here’s Your Survival Kit

Hey future changemakers, dreamers, and people who’ll soon have dried paint in their eyebrows for almost a year 🎨

Thinking of diving into the wild world of ESC volunteering? Excellent choice. But before you hop on that train, plane, or slightly suspicious FlixBus, here’s a list of essential factors every volunteer needs to survive and thrive.

1.Sense of Humor — Your Best Tool for Surviving Volunteering 😂

You’ll clamp your fingers more times than you’d like to admit, end up covered in paint and dust, and sometimes wonder if the painting you did really looks like a monkey or just a piece of bread. Laugh it off — it’s all part of the fun, also Werkstattschule collegues are pretty funny, tell them a joke or two and you’ll become work besties!

2.Flexibility — When Woodcarving Work Adds Up 🥨

You might expect to guide the kids carving away, but sometimes there aren’t enough kids to do all the work nor they have motivation to do so, so guess who ends up doing a big chunk yourself? Being easygoing and ready to roll with that keeps things smooth (and your patience intact).

And if you’re confused or don’t know what to do, just relax — every woodcarving project somehow ends up looking great in the end.

3. Open-mindedness — Even If It Involves Sardines in Shots 🐟🥃(not my personal experiance, shout out to Kinga!)

Someone will offer you a local “delicacy,” which may or may not be a shot with a sardine in it. I didn’t try it — looked painful — but don’t let that stop you from embracing the weird and wonderful food traditions around you.

4. Communication Skills — Or Just Yell “Genau!” a Lot 🗣️

If your German is limited to “Schraubzwingen” (yes, that clamp thing) and “Genau,” you’re already halfway there. Throw in some wild hand gestures, and boom — you’re basically fluent. Bonus points if you make someone laugh.

5. Resilience — Because You Will Clamp Your Fingers 🔩

It’s not volunteering until you’ve injured yourself in five minor but dramatic ways. You’ll learn to tape it up and keep going like the champion you are. Emotional resilience? Also required — especially when you get hit with the classic German stare from the kids instead of encouragement. Don’t worry. Just wink and keep going. 😎

6. Get Dirty — Like, Really Dirty 🧽

After every project, you’ll look like you rolled in a toolbox and then did a belly flop into a bucket of paint. Dust in your socks, color on your nose, mystery bruises — it’s the uniform now.

7. Team Spirit — Free Food = True bonding with the collegues 🍽️

Team tags. Bonding chaos. Random deep talks. Understanding only 10% of what’s going on. Coffee machine debates. But most importantly — free food. If you’re extra lucky, you might even get a taste of Sabina’s legendary brownies. If you do, consider it a sacred moment.

8. Curiosity — Try All the Scary Things (Even Welding... 😬)

Metal welding? Super cool. Super loud. And honestly, I freaked out a little (okay, a lot), but hey — now I can say I’ve done it! ESC life is full of random, exciting things — try them all, even if they scare you a bit.

9. Good Vibes Only (Even Under Judgment) 😬

You’ll try to speak the language, make an effort, and what do you get? The Look. The full “Why are you ruining my grammar?” stare. But don’t let it kill your vibe — laugh, learn, and keep going. It’s part of the experience.

✨ Pro Tip: Be Brave, Be Bold, and Go to the House 🏡

Don’t be shy — visit the Werkstatt house often. Take initiative. Start your own project, even if it’s small or weird or messy. Trust me, Christian will be proud of you (yes, you!) and always ready to help out with tools, advice, or just moral support. You’ve got backup. Use it. 💪

Final Words From a Slightly Dusty But Happy Volunteer

Volunteering isn’t always aesthetic — but it’s always worth it. It’s sweaty, loud, chaotic, heartwarming, and ridiculously memorable. You’ll meet legends, build cool stuff, maybe fall in love with pretzels — and definitely grow in the process.

So pack your best energy, your worst dancing, and prepare for paint, pressure, and (if fate is kind) brownies.

And remember: if all else fails, just yell “Genau!”. You’ll be fine.