Hello, I’m Liudmyla, 27 years old. I live in Ukraine with husband,I have nice routine work at The City Gallery and I have 3 kids.
I don’t travel. I don’t like something challenges and developing, something new. Just work-home-work.
I am joking. This life of another Mila, but not about myself.
`Some years ago I didn’t know about internships to European countries or even possibility to live there more than 1 month.
Thanks God, in my city and in Ukraine it’s getting mainstream to take part in different projects and programs of EU and all over the world.
I have an opinion: Fortune comes to those who seeks.
And I was looking for an opportunity to go abroad, especially to countries near to the sea and mountains.
So, I found on Facebook some advertising about Erasmus+. And then, like Sherlock Holmes I’ve recognised that I’ve already had people close to me who took part in the same project and work as sending organization.
Next step – be brave and ASK.
I came to office and sunshine girls explained all details.
My advice to you my reader – ask a lot and wisely.
I asked about Erasmus+ in general, about insurance Cigna, how many months I could be participating for, what about pocket money?, is it enough? Do I have any possibility to go, take part in another programs? How old Should I be? and so on…
Am I too old for volunteering?
Then they advised that I have with previous volunteer and have a talk with her.
I’ve met with Marina, she was after this project. We talked a lot and she soothed me about age and described how it could be cool to be a volunteer and discovered the world, had possibility to travel, got new friends, worked with a European NGO.
After my research about Erasmus+ I’ve understood it’s my chance and I should definitely go.
The most interesting part was visa. Ukraine isn’t a member state of EU until now, but Ukrainians also have chance to take part in Erasmus+ .
After 14 days of gathering all docs finally the Greek embassy approved visa for me.
Erasmus+ covered my tickets in two ways, of course they have limit (275 EUR). But I think that’s enough.
And ten days later I arrived to Komotini – small city in the North part of Greece near to the borders with Bulgaria and Turkey.
It’s cozy and nice city. My family didn’t accept my choice. I’m the only one from my family who wants to see the world, to use every opportunity to see another culture, to give permission for yourself be out from system.
I’ve done my own choice to quit from normal job and take a rest, to be myself, to make challenge for myself and realized it is possible to live separate from family, friends, society in another, totally different, country.
I can say now…Yes, I can, and I’ve almost done it.
Is it easy?
-No.
During my first month I lived in separate apartment, alone. It was really stressful for me but also it was great challenge.
In short time I got new friends, forgot about language barrier, improved my English.
Every time I’ve heard: “oooo Mila you have so interesting or funny accent”.
In the beginning I was upset about it. But then I accepted myself and said: «Yes, I have accent. It’s my charm and I’m working on it».
I was trying to speak more and more and asked advice how to speak in the right way, and also watched more movies in English.
So, my new rule – Don’t be shy to ask!
Next, my challenge was accepting my age and my new status of volunteer.
Why did I make this choice in this age?
- Why not?
- When will I have more time for myself?
- What is the difference between me from Ukraine and another Mila from Europe?
I accepted it easily. And I wasn’t shy about my age anymore. Yes,most of volunteers are 21-24 years old, but age is just a number.
So, another feedback – use your time and follow yourself. Don’t be shy!It will never be too late for You!
My responsibilities and my goals in this project:
-live by myself (I live in the same city with my family in Ukraine)
-learn another culture (I have chance to discover new mentality, attend events, travel, go to museum, drink coffee)
-networking (get acquainted with new interesting people)
-develop soft skills (to be volunteer of charity events, decorate X-tree, gathered cherries and cooked a lot, make videos, etc)
-traveling (to the nearest places or even to go to another country like Georgia by bus)
-manage my time and my finance (be responsible and learn how to survive only on your pocket money)
-get understanding how is it possible to live in another country without your close people
So, my third feedback…Yes, It’s possible.It depends on you, your open mind, your personality.
Now, I have a lot of new nice people in my life after this project whom I’m sure I wouldn’t meet in my previous life in Ukraine.
I’m really glad to meet all of them and philosophy of my life is:“ Everyone has a mission and a reason in your life”. It’s not random people. Later you will realize WHY they’ve come to your life.
And my last feedback, I wish to everyone who reads this article: Be brave and open for a new «door» in your life, maybe it’s invisible for now, but you’ll find it for sure!
Keep smiling and live your OWN life as YOU WISH!
