Timea's statements: Thessaloniki, A Blend of History and Modernity

Timea Matheova (Slovakia), ESAI EN ROI Volunteer; Candidate Youth Worker

ESC volunteering in teams  FOTH project  10-30 July 2025

2024-1-EL02-ESC51-VTJ-000200188

Visiting Thessaloniki was an unforgettable experience, as I was fascinated by its rich history, warm atmosphere, and the vibrant mix of tradition and modern life.

What excited me most was the openness of the people, the cultural diversity I was able to explore every day, and the fact that I found many new friends with whom I shared beautiful moments.

One of the highlights was also our short trip to Athens, where visiting the Acropolis was a truly breathtaking experience.

My purpose during the project was to create a presentation about a treasure hunt in three different parks on the topic of traffic education. I also created a reels video about first aid, and I took a lot of inspiration from our activities during the week, such as the visit to the war museum or the boat trip. From the volunteering experience, I will keep the sense of teamwork, solidarity, and the joy of contributing to a meaningful purpose.

This opportunity taught me to be more adaptable, responsible, and creative, qualities that will help me in both my personal growth and future professional path. I believe that life opportunities through ESC programs are truly valuable, because they allow young people to discover new cultures, gain new skills, create friendships, and become active citizens with a broader view of the world.