Isabel Ballarín | Spain | Long term volunteering at Lestonnac 2024-2025 | Coordinating organization: IDC
My Experience in Volunteering
My participation in volunteering has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. During this time, I have had the opportunity to learn, grow, and meet people from different parts of the world, sharing values, cultures, and common interests. Through four training programs—two within the European Solidarity Corps and two with French volunteers—I have been able to broaden my perspective on social, ecological, and educational issues.
The first two training programs I completed with the European Solidarity Corps were essential for connecting with other volunteers from different countries. During these meetings, I not only learned about various European countries and French regions but also about the projects in which other young people were involved. It was inspiring to discover how, from different parts of the continent, many people work toward the same goal: contributing to a more supportive and just society. These learning spaces helped me understand the importance of international cooperation and cultural diversity in volunteering.
Additionally, I participated in two more training programs with French volunteers. One of them focused on ecology, where we explored topics such as environmental impact, sustainability, and the importance of adopting more responsible habits for the planet. The other training took place with people from agricultural schools and African volunteers. This experience was particularly enriching, as it allowed for an exchange of knowledge on education, agriculture, and sustainable development in different parts of the world. It was interesting to see how each culture has its own way of addressing environmental and educational challenges and how we can learn from one another.
Within my volunteer work, my main role has been in a school, where I assist the Spanish teacher in her classes. This experience has been very rewarding, as it has allowed me to teach my native language and share my culture with students. In addition to collaborating in Spanish classes, I also participate in activities such as cooking, physical education, and other subjects, which has allowed me to interact with students in different contexts and strengthen my relationship with them.
Another of my responsibilities is helping students when they have to take on the role of event assistants. In this regard, I support them in the planning and execution of activities, ensuring that they can develop their communication and teamwork skills. It is motivating to see how, with my help, students gain confidence in themselves and acquire skills that will be useful for their academic and professional future.
Overall, this volunteering experience has been transformative. It has allowed me to learn about different cultures, develop new skills, and, most importantly, feel that I am contributing to the education and training of others. Every day, I learn something new and reaffirm my commitment to solidarity and international cooperation. I am sure that everything I have experienced in this volunteer work will stay with me forever and will continue to influence how I work in the future.
