After one flight and three different trains, I finally arrived in Lütjenwestedt . Why am I here? I didn't know either, but that was the charm of this. Just ten days before I was told that I will spend a year in Germany doing a job that I always wished for. It all happened so fast, and I was really excited to meet new people, learn a new language, discover a new culture and start a new job. But honestly, I wasn't sure how ready I was to change my daily routine that I had in Bosnia and Herzegowina. At Lütjenwestedt, all of my insecurities were gone at the HORST seminar. I spent seven days with people who are about to have a year of volunteering as well as myself. That's where I met my colleague, roommate and friend Asta, with whom I will spend the coming year here in Lübeck. During the seminar, I found the space to adjust and relax. I felt safe and belonging to the group and to the organization itself. In fact, for the most part of the week I bonded with the people around me. I think I've made friends for life.
After the HORST seminar, from a small quiet village, we headed to Neumünster to get acquainted with the working atmosphere in the office and in general with the Schüler Helfen Leben Foundation. For a few days we talked about the structure of the organization, the administration and the everyday way of working. It sounds boring, but I felt really good knowing that I´m part of a great network and that through my work I would contribute to the development of one of, for me, the best youth stories in Europe. Also, the previous generation of volunteers introduced us to their experiences during their voluntary service. As a result, I felt even more confident about my decision to sacrifice one study year to do my voluntary service.
From Neumünster we headed to Lübeck. Again, I didn't know what to expect, which made my beginning more challenging but also more interesting. Summer Academy has just begun. Over 70 people have arrived and there were my new work colleagues. I took on a few events management activities, met a lot of SAMIES, participated in various workshops where I got to know the structure of the SAME network better. Oh yes, and Lübeck is breathtaking! You should visit this beautiful city! The energy I felt at the Summer Academy in Lübeck reminded me that I was in the right place at the right time, and it was just the beginning!
