In August, the European University Sports Association (EUSA) and its Institute bid farewell to the international volunteers Marta, Emanuele, and Heloise. For this month’s student column, we have asked them for their feedback and reflection about their experience.

The three of them joined EUSA office in October  last year and concluded it now in August, completing  their ESC journey in the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana.

Marta Studzinska

I had been thinking about joining EUSA as an ESC volunteer for some time, as I was already familiar with the organization and wanted to see their work from the inside. When I saw they were looking for new volunteers, I decided to give it a try—and I'm glad I did!

My expectations were met and often exceeded! The welcoming atmosphere and support of the EUSA Family, different activities, and the chance to travel and meet people from various backgrounds made this time interesting and fulfilling. From daily office work to volunteering at major sports events, the experience was varied and rewarding. Big appreciation goes also to all the volunteers who I met in the EUSA office during my volunteering period - sharing this time with them was just great!

Living in Slovenia quickly made it one of my favourite countries. I was amazed by the nature and beautiful landscapes, which inspired me to start hiking—something I never used to enjoy but now look forward to. The opportunity to explore Slovenia's mountains and trails allowed me to connect with the country in a way I hadn't expected. Beyond the natural beauty, I also appreciated the chance to immerse myself in a new culture, learning about local customs and traditions, and meeting warm, welcoming people along the way.

Contributing to the European Universities Games 2024 in Hungary was a particularly memorable way to conclude the year. The atmosphere of this event is just amazing, filled with energy, excitement, and a sense of unity among athletes, volunteers, and organizers! It was inspiring to see people from all over Europe come together, share their experiences, and celebrate the spirit of competition. This experience not only enriched my time as a volunteer but also left me with lasting memories!

Working in a multicultural environment has been a valuable experience, and I would recommend it to anyone considering this path. It's a great way to develop new skills in the sports field, build a network, and explore beautiful Slovenia. Thank you EUSA for this amazing opportunity and adventure!

Emanuele Milanese

My ESC journey was quite difficult in reality, I struggled with many personal issues and in the beginning it was hard to find my space, making it difficult to live the experience to its full potential. Despite this, I am really glad to have been a volunteer with the European Solidarity Corps and I have been really lucky to find such nice people in EUSA, who gave me all the support I needed and acted very kindly to me, giving me the opportunity to take the best out of this experience.

For sure, I can say that I learned a lot, both about what I would like to do and what I don’t want in my future, but also about what I am good at and what I can improve; I learned how to collaborate with people, both with the ones with whom I felt more comfortable and with the ones I didn’t get along with, especially during the EUSA Games in Hungary, which was a totally new and different experience for me; I learned how to be more independent, to make choices more effectively, to understand my needs, desires, and priorities better, especially in stressful situations.

I discovered an amazing world which is the one of University Sports, which showed me a lot of energy, passion, and inclusivity. It was amazing to be part of such a big event as the European Universities Games 2024, and it was impressive to see how everyone, from volunteers to the organisers, the assistants, the technical delegates, the representatives, gave all the commitment and the resources possible to make this event possible. I will always remember this experience and I hope I can have the chance to be part of the EUSA Family again soon.

Heloise Bargeot

Joining EUSA for eleven months was a great opportunity for me to experience an international environment that exposed me to diverse aspects of sports. Thanks to this environment, I improved my English and became more comfortable expressing my opinions in various contexts, both at the office and with other volunteers. This cultural exchange enriched my experience significantly.

I also had the chance to explore another side of sports through educational activities and various projects, which enhanced my knowledge of the sports industry. As a former athlete it was also important to me to develop one project with the help of the other volunteers, giving a personal sense to this volunteering experience, thanks to this possibility, I learned how to write a project.

The experience culminated in the EUG2024, concluding in a way I couldn’t have imagined. I met many different people, developed communication skills, and saw firsthand how to organize an event of this magnitude.

I am very grateful for this year with EUSA and for the other volunteers who shared this journey with me. The intercultural exchange and the moments we spent together were truly invaluable. I am returning to France with a wealth of new knowledge gained through this experience, which was different from, but no less valuable than, my university education. EUSA is made up of many diverse people, and this experience taught me that human interaction is one of the best ways to learn. Thank you for that!

Are you a student with an opinion? We are looking for new contributors for our student column every month. Feel free to contact stc@eusa.eu to offer a piece or propose a topic.