Self Reflection and First Impression
My name is Nicolai, I am 21 years old in november and i’ve come to Thessaloniki to volunteer with Esai En Roi. I will be here right before the new year of 2027.
Why I came isn't as important as why I chose to do this at all, and with the all I’m talking about I mean why volunteer abroad at all. To answer that question I’m going back a few years.
So. I’m from Sweden and in June I took the “Studenten” which is basically that I graduated high school. And I started high school in 2021 and I was in an automotive major, to probably become a mechanic. And after two years I started to hate it, so I decided to change majors to
something I consider completely different. I got then into art, that I finished it was then I took “Studenten”. After then I was really tired of school and wanted to do something different and good for me. I also wanted to get away from home and go abroad. Volunteering abroad was only something I’ve heard about. And It wasn’t something my school was ever talking about or advertising so I had to do my own research. First I found volunteering jobs I had to pay to get there and sometimes food was included. But then I found the European Solidarity Corps, and it was just what I was looking for. Everything included!
Is there a reason I chose Greece or Esai En Roi in particular? Not really. But it was one of the offers I received when I set up my profile, so I thought it sounded great, and why not.
Well now I have spent almost a week here in Thessaloniki. Checking out the city and getting familiar with my new work environment. And the first couple days were still very surreal to me. Because I have never done anything like this before and it was kind of a big culture shock. But I know that if I just relax and keep reminding myself that I’m here for my sake and this is a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity. I will be happy here. Also the food here is a great reminder that I shouldn’t have a panic attack and stay here.
But what have I actually done here these past few days. Well my first day I was just following my mentor Eleni around where she showed me the school and the garden and I got introduced to the teachers here at the school. Everyone here is very nice and open, though it is sometimes a problem with the language barrier. I was shown around the school and got to know some things that differ between Swedish schools and Greek. Then I was taken to the city to get my buscard so I can get around the city as much as I please. After that I was abandoned in the city center to find my own way back as well as doing some first hand exploring. So I wasn’t abandoned but it was more of a fun task during my free time on my first day.
So overall I would say my first impression of the city, the people I’m surrounded by and the entire environment has been a good first impression, obviously I can't help but to be nervous. But in my opinion it’s a good nervousness.
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