Timi in Salzburg

One year project related to media, content creation and events

My name is Timi and I spent the last 12 months as a European Solidarity Corps volunteer in Salzburg, Austria.

I was planning to do a gap-year, half a year before I graduated. The project area I was interested in (marketing, event organization, social media) had very high demand, especially in big cities. In the end of June 2024 I finally got accepted to a youth information center in Salzburg, namely akzente Jugendinfo, where I had the following tasks:

Social media content creation (photos, videos)
Video and photo editing
Helping out in different events, workshops and fairs
Girls’s day (event in Salzburg and a region in east Bavaria) related tasks
Administration ( post office, brochure storage)

I arrived in the beginning of September, and I received all kinds of help I needed with the bureaucracy, language course, etc. I was there together with another volunteer from Spain. We both had the same level of German (B1) so we could also go to the same language course. My project was from Monday-Thursday 30/week ( -2 hours of language course) which was convenient, because we always had a weekend of 3 days. From September-December we had a lot of fairs and events, which was great to go to, because I met with a lot of companies, students and got to know the city better.

We had two training sessions, an Arrival and a Mid-term training in October and in March, where I could also meet other volunteers from other cities, like Graz and Vienna. Both of them were held in a great time to share our experience and feelings, and do some self-reflection.

A more difficult time came, when we moved to the new apartment, from the one we moved in when we arrived. We haven’t seen the new place before, we were told that it will be much better, but it was sadly a very bad place. We were both unhappy with it. I understand that the housing market is loaded and Salzburg is the most expensive city in Austria, but we would much rather go back to our previous place. The other volunteer ended up going home and finishing her project in the middle of December.

However, I always tried to see the positive sides of all and discuss it with the organization and they were really cooperative and helpful to find a new place. I did not give up and I got really lucky, because I found a room in the city centre, just 5 minutes away from the organisation, with a bearable price and availability till the end of August. I was really happy with my new room and could not wait to move in after I came back from my Christmas holiday. The Christmas markets were also amazing in Salzburg and its surrounding, I loved the city with all the lights and food.

I came back excited in the new year, but it ended up being more difficult than I expected. Without having another volunteer as me in the organization it felt like I am very much an outsider. I also tried to improve as much as possible in my German, but the dialect they spoke there was above my imagination. It was really difficult to understand most of the things, I could barely guess the concept. There weren't many events anymore. I felt a bit lost, even though I did many things in my free time, I went to the gym and hung out with other volunteers and friends I made there.

I started to be better when I started to make more and more videos on social media. It was pretty fun and I learnt how to use some programs, how to cut videos, even made a bit of photoshop. Then I participated in the second training and it was already the end of March.

In April I made a bigger holiday and started to plan what I will do from September. I also developed my own project which was an introduction video about the whole youth centre. It took me about 2 months to organise the equipment, people, write the script, make the scenes, record the voices, cut the video, etc.

In the sommer there were not as many things to do. In June we still had some events, but July and August went quite chill, because everyone went from holiday to holiday.

Apart from the apartment I cannot complain about the organisation from their side. Everything regarding the holidays, my wishes, moneywise, etc. could be talked smoothly and easily if it was needed. The beginning and the end were also very organised with all documentations.

Overall I would say that the project was built up diverse and I got a chance to try out myself in every area. I loved living in Salzburg, it’s a beautiful city with beautiful architecture and nature. I had the chance to meet with people who had definitely motivated me and will be memorable. In the organisation’s culture I could not fit in, but I don’t think it was their fault, apart from that, at work we got along.

If I would have the chance to go back in time would I do that again?

Yes.

Would I do the same project?

Probably I would do it somewhere else, where I am with more volunteers in the same organisation.

Even through the ups and downs, I still think it’s worth it for everyone in their young years. I was dealing with many feelings and decisions alone in a foreign country, which are very different from being an exchange student (I have also experienced that). Volunteering shows a new side of you and teaches you something else.

So what did I learn?

The key is communication and standing up for yourself. There is nothing that cannot be solved. I learnt many skills and programs related to social media content creation and found new hobbies. I built a clear picture of what I want to study after the project. I feel more confident than ever to communicate in German. Overall I would rate this year very successful. Surely it will stay in my heart forever.

I am really thankful for everyone and in general to Austria for all it taught me. After this year I feel even braver to move to Germany where I am going to do my master program and I am truly excited for this adventure.

If you are afraid to do it alone, just don’t. Believe me it’s always going to be somehow. Do not let this feeling stop you. Don’t forget: as much as you put yourself into new situations, the more you learn about you and about the world.