A (new) beginning
How do you start a blog? To be honest with you: I really don’t know.
I’ve been stuck with this introduction for my first post for hours and the only thing I’ve got so far is a blank screen. However, this struggle might be good enough to be used as a starting point. So let’s get right into it and break the ice for good.
My name is Max and I have recently graduated high school at 20 years old. Nevertheless, I certainly knew that I didn’t want to get back to studying immediately again. This led me to this little adventure I embarked on, which is a volunteer year for the European Solidarity Corps (ESC).
The city I will call home in the coming months is Pilsen. You might want to know now why I chose the Czech Republic? Well, it’s quite a simple explanation: I’ve never been there before!
You might also want to know what I am really doing here: For the upcoming time I’ll be
supporting an organisation called Tandem. For those, who have never heard the name (I certainly hadn’t before my time here): They help provide a Czech-German youth exchange. The overall goal is to implement steady connections between both countries, strengthen already existing relations and improve the understanding of the neighboring regions. And of course learning one or two things in the other language is also appreciated and encouraged. Personally, I think the premise of their activities is really important and that’s my main reason for joining in on their project.
Moreover, living in Czechia on my own is a really good preparation for possibly moving in Germany, if my subject at university requires it.
Logically, the first few days and weeks were quite challenging and a real change of scenery. A new town, new surroundings, an unknown language and certainly no network to rely on.
The first time was surely packed with a feeling of uncertainty and a sense of not belonging. However, those emotions were to be expected and therefore mastering and overcoming them was a challenge to face.
Personally, I think I adapted quite quickly, which is surely partly thanks to another volunteer. She will get her own blog-post though, so you’ll have to wait a little longer to learn more about her.
Anyways, the starting point of my time in the Czech Republic is now in the past and I am
really looking forward to the upcoming time!