I am visually impaired and almost blind, and the two IRHOV schools support children and young people with visual impairments from the age of three to 19. I chose this project because I wanted to spend some time in another European country and be involved with children and young people.

Before starting my placement, I spent the first two weeks receiving individual support to become more independent in my new environment. Different people helped me with mobility, shopping and everyday life in Liège. After those two weeks, I officially started my volunteering experience at the two schools.

At the beginning, I got to know the students, the teachers and the school environment. Step by step, I started supporting students both individually and in groups. From early on, I was encouraged to develop my own ideas and activities, which I really appreciated.

I enjoyed the warm and open atmosphere, which allowed me to create my own ideas and methods. Getting to know the students little by little and being part of their daily school life was a very positive experience.

One of the activities I organised was introducing the younger pupils to the piano and sharing my own approach to the instrument. On another occasion, we listened together to “Pierre et le Loup”. Later in the project, I also organised piano activities with older students.

I also supported students individually at both schools, for example by helping them use the computer or by practising French together. I especially enjoyed spending time with students from different countries who were learning French and supporting them throughout that process.

During my volunteering experience, I learned about the way teachers and students interact and learn together. I also learned a lot about myself and about how I communicate and teach. Teaching in French was a challenge, but it was one that I really enjoyed.

Throughout the project, I felt welcome both in Liège and at IRHOV because of the openness and support I received.

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.

My On-Arrival Training took place from the 1th to the 5th of June in a small village next to Halle, in Flanders. We were around 20 ESC Volunteers from several countries like France, Türkye, Spain, Italy, Palestine, Germany.

I have really enjoyed the seminar as I got to meet many new people from different backgrounds. The environment was very open and friendly, we participated in a lot of activities to get to know each other, but it felt really natural to just talk, and ask questions. We talked about our projects, our personal lives, our own experience here in Belgium and the ESC programme, but also about the history of Belgium, which was very interesting to me.

We often worked in smaller groups or in pairs and presented our thoughts to each other, but we also spent a lot of time all together, sitting and sharing our ideas in a big circle. I really enjoyed the open, respectful atmosphere we created together.

We also had the chance to travel together to work on a group project. My group and I went to Brussels and we really had a good time together.

I think that this Seminar was really an important part of my ESC project here in Belgium, because I had the chance to meet a lot of cool personalities and get new perspectives on me and on my time here.

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.