My Erasmus plus experience!
My name is Joanna Kowalkowska, I am from Gdańsk, Poland. I am 26 years old, Commodity Science graduate from the Gdynia Maritime University and Bioengineering of Food Production graduate from University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, both in Poland, but it will tell you nothing.
So, once again, I graduated University in July 2015. Since that time I traveled a lot and looking for a place for myself. I have a master’s degree in Quality Management, but the truth is that over the past few years, I shared my time between studying, work, and the initiatives of my interests. I’ve always been involved in the cultural life of the community in which I lived and as a person who has a thousand thoughts a minute I couldn’t be bored.
In November 2015 I went to Georgia with an Erasmus plus Training Course. It was my first contact with Erasmus Plus and I got into the swing of it! That’s why I started looking for EVS as a way to do something that really fits to me. I wasn’t sure that I want to do something what is related to studies I finished, but I wanted to experience something new and do something valuable and meaningful. I also hoped to find project which will be closely linked with my skills and interests.
And I found it in Music’Al Sol organization! I participate in a project called Ethic Mind. I learned many things since I am here. Most of them are connected with working in the promotion of the cultural sector.
I gained knowledge about organization of artistic events.
How to prepare , advertise them. I familariazed myself with the French culture, but what is the most important I met beautiful people who become my family and I have a lot of great memories with them. My biggest challenge, still, even though I spent here over two months, is learning French!
I love time when we putt our energy to organize a cool event, every positive rush we experience together. What I will keep with me after my return? I hope to keep going to improve my French, but for sure I will keep all the inspirations and crative ideas I’ve found here. I have planned to stay a little time longer in France after my EVS, maybe find some job and continue the projects that I started here. Further in the future I dream to open my own place, combination of co-working space, social bar, café and small galleries which will be based on volunteering and sharing economy principles.
Do you have doubts about whether or not to be a volunteer?!
My answer is simply: Do it! You will not regret it ! Challenge yourself ! Live the adventure of your life !
