From Participant to Advocate: my ESC journey at VIEWS International
European mobility changed my life long before I arrived in Liège.
My path across international youth initiatives began from a deeply personal place: first as a participant and beneficiary. It started with a teacher who trusted in the power of communication, showing me that as a young person, I could actively participate in my community, share my ideas, and bring my own initiatives to life.
When I joined VIEWS International as a European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteer I knew I wanted to turn my own experience into tangible opportunities for others. I wanted to take everything I had learned and everything I could learn to open doors for other young people who face additional barriers.
At VIEWS, inclusion isn’t just a concept; it’s a daily practice. Supporting both the Communications and Project Management offices, I learned all the work behind managing Erasmus+ mobility projects, I supported turning complex policy frameworks into smooth, supportive journeys for participants. I created engaging visual content for our social media platforms, ensuring our messaging was clear, accessible, and welcoming.
But some of the most meaningful moments happened on the ground. I had the opportunity to realize local awareness activities and facilitate artistic workshops, using creative spaces to encourage self-expression, break down social barriers, and build genuine connections among participants. European mobility and civic participation should never feel like exclusive privileges for a few. They must be open, inclusive opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background or starting point.
My time at VIEWS International is a powerful reminder of why authentic, multi-faceted communication matters so much. It gave me the space to grow, sharpen my digital storytelling and project management skills, and learn alongside incredible peers who share the same values of equity and accessibility.
As I get closer to the end of my project, I carry the lessons of my experience in Liège with me. Opportunities only change lives when people know they exist. When we communicate with empathy, creativity, and clarity, we aren’t just sharing information, we are building communities of trust and empowering the next generation to shape our shared future!
Sofia
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
