Niki in France

Last December, I felt overwhelmed and tired of my everyday life, and I was craving a change. That’s how I ended up in South-West France, in the lovely town of Auch! It turned out to be one of the best impulsive decisions of my life, and I had a wonderful time during those six months.

I spent my volunteering period with the organization IMAJ’32, where our main task was to run playful workshops for young people and teenagers about the European Union and its mobility opportunities. In addition, I helped with social media posts, brochure design, event organization, and even participated in radio interviews. And of course, I also organized a fun Hungarian cultural night!

I have to admit, the biggest challenge when I arrived was the language barrier — very few people spoke English, and most activities were in French. Since I didn’t speak any French at all, I had to learn quickly through daily interactions. Thankfully, the organization provided some language support, and by the end, I was even able to do a 30-minute radio interview in French!

I also have to mention the wonderful people I met during this journey. I was the only volunteer in the area, but I lived in a youth hostel where I got to know many other young people like me. We had so much fun in the evenings playing card and board games, cooking together, having barbecues, traveling, and joining in on the residence’s activities.

One of my favorite weekly events was the Café de langue, where we gathered to practice languages in everyday situations. At first, I was relieved to meet people who spoke English, which allowed for deep conversations. Later, as my French improved, I used the opportunity to practice it in daily conversations. It was both incredibly fun and very useful!

And last but not least: I traveled a lot. Like, a looot. France is a stunning country with something to discover in every corner. I’m extremely grateful for the experience.

All in all, I can say that the past six months were truly special. I constantly pushed my boundaries, became brave enough to face challenges, and learned to confidently find solutions to every problem that came my way. 

I spent a lot of time reflecting on myself, started new hobbies and learned to appreciate the small beauties of everyday life. This experience taught me to be grateful for every moment. I already miss the place, the vibe, and the amazing people I met. I’ll definitely go back someday!