Hi! My name is Basia, I’m 24 years old, and I started this project when I was 23. I’m an interdisciplinary artist, a graduate of the Academy of Music in Gdańsk, and the founder of an art collective. I write, draw, and create music. Initially, I planned to go to Portugal for an ESC project, but I ended up in Spain, in a small town called Alcalá la Real near Granada. I’m not sure whether I chose this project or the project chose me, but in the end, I’m here, and I’ve experienced so much. The project was organized by Verde Sur in collaboration with the Foundation for the Development of an Entrepreneurial Society. Thanks to them, I spent five months in Spain, learned a lot, and now I’d like to share my experience with you.
Why did I decide to join this project?
I had just finished my bachelor’s degree at the Academy of Music and had absolutely no desire to start a master’s program and follow the beaten path—especially since I had no idea what I wanted to study next. I had dreamed about going on a volunteering program for a long time—since I was 16, actually. It’s my favorite way to travel because you’re not just a tourist observing everything from a distance, but you truly get to know the local community and their way of life. I was very focused on a project in Portugal, which I had heard great things about, and I didn’t consider any other option. But I didn’t get accepted. It completely threw me off because I had no idea what to do next. When I saw an opportunity to go to Spain, I thought: this is my only chance to leave. I applied, had an interview, got accepted—and decided to go blindly. Why not?
What do you do in this project?
The project offers a variety of activities, such as: helping children during lunch and taking care of them in the daycare, gardening, working with the Red Cross (administrative tasks), and once a week helping kids with homework and playing with them. There are also opportunities to organize workshops for children and teenagers. During the summer, you can work in a summer school, join archaeological excavations, or run creative workshops. Volunteers live in a large three-story house with people from different countries. Sometimes the number of volunteers reaches up to 25. It has its pros and cons—on one hand, you meet lots of people and experience a multicultural environment; on the other, it can be overwhelming, and you might miss your private space.
Free time
In my free time, I mostly traveled or worked on my own artistic projects. I managed to visit Málaga, Granada, Lisbon, Cádiz, Nerja, Córdoba, Madrid, and Barbate. I also spent countless hours talking with my housemates—about everything and nothing. Besides talking and traveling together, we watched movies, danced, laughed, and sometimes argued. We took part in local events, festivals, concerts, and different activities. We also got to know some local young people and became friends with some of them.
Summary
My project at Verde Sur was definitely not perfect and definitely not what I expected. Many times, I felt frustrated because of a completely different approach to organization compared to mine and the lack of personal space. However, thanks to this experience, my Spanish improved significantly, I discovered the beauty and challenges of life in a small town, and I saw a completely different way of living. I learned to slow down and enjoy the moment instead of constantly working. I realized that my value doesn’t come from what I do but from who I am and how I treat others. I learned to clean up after myself, share food, and think about others. Most importantly, I met amazing people who became my family.
So, to sum up: if you’re hesitating—just go! You’ll figure out the rest along the way. With the right mindset, you can turn any situation into beautiful memories.
~ Barbara Dowgiałło
