In July 2016, EUSA and the local organisers held the European University Games in Zagreb and Rijeka; however the Games aren’t just about competition. Throughout the summer over 6000 young people took to Croatia to not only participate, but to grow, develop and have the experience of a lifetime. The Volunteer Programme is such an integral part of keeping the Games progressing and running smoothly. The volunteers look after the competition officials and the photo competition (which by the way – you can vote online for now!) plus much, much more.

This month’s What’s Up column is written by Deborah, one of our fantastic volunteers, and she tells us about her experience of the games.



European Universities Games has become my second experience in volunteering but I can say it’s been the best. When I applied I was finishing a volunteering at Baku, Azerbaijan for the First European Games and while filling in my application I was already full of excitement about it.

I found out I was part of the volunteers team in November and since then I couldn’t stop thinking about the amazing summer that was expecting for me. Finally after a long wait it was time to start the adventure; it took me 4 flights and 2 days to arrive to Zagreb, Croatia.

As soon as I arrived the atmosphere at the place was unique, volunteers all over the village. It was not until the next day that I joined the Media Team. During the first meeting we talked about our skills and we were divided in groups so we could cover every single part of the games. I was assigned to Editorial group and along with two more girls we were in charge of Social Media.

We had a clumsy start, we were a bit lost with our job, and my thoughts were: how difficult it could be managing Facebook and Twitter? Well, I got my answer during my first shift. My co-worker Urska Debenjak and I realized how important job was assigned to us. It was our responsibility to share the information to all the spectators of the games, give answers to all kind of questions we received and control the information that was published on social media.

It was a tired duty, spending hours on Facebook and Twitter updating the information, but in our office or “cave” as some people called it, was full of good energy all the time. The leaders of Media Team Davorka Gasparovic and the Professor Zlatko Herljevic were always there helping and controlling the situation, being very patient with us and congratulating our job.

We were a big team mostly Croatians but also volunteers from Slovenia, France, Montenegro, Russia, Poland and even Georgia. I can say we complement each other in a way that we never expected.

Of course not everything was work, somehow I managed to organize my days and nights, I found out that 4 hours of sleep were enough. At night, after our long shifts, all the volunteers and athletes gathered together to party. “Roko” the most famous club in the area, became a second house for us, every single night we were able to meet each other in a more relaxed atmosphere, dancing most of the time to the rhythm of Croatian songs and having local drinks.

During my free time I had the chance to visit the center of Zagreb and walked around its very steep but beautiful streets. I visited the most touristic places like the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the St. Mark’s Church, the stone Gate, and spent also some evenings at the Jarun Lake admiring the beautiful landscapes.

By my surprise even though Croatia and Mexico are far away, in Zagreb I felt like home, I would never expected to meet locals that knew that much from my country and what it was more amazing was girls talking to me in Spanish like if they were Mexicans. The Mexican culture had a huge impact in Croatia, thanks to the very famous soap operas, fact that still have me in shocked. I truly can say that Croatians are great persons, they always have a smile on their faces, and they enjoy the team work and are always open to help the others.

EUG2016 thank you for giving me the best summer of my life, for letting me work and live with incredible people. I formed a huge family here and I am sure we will meet again. Croatians, Slovenians and Spanish guys, you will always be in my heart. And Zagreb… "Esto no es un adios, es un hasta luego!" (It is not a goodbye but a see you soon!)



Deborah Daniela Echeverria Farrera is a 23 years-old student from Mexico City, majoring in International Relations. She volunteered in the First European Games in Baku in 2015 and in the European Universities Games Zagreb – Rijeka in 2016.

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.