Volunteering in Iceland // 1st part.
I wanted to take a short break from my studies… And Iโve read many things about Iceland and heard so many great stories about it, it kind of became a dream for me to be able to see this country with my own eyes!
But I wanted to do something useful there, so I thought about volunteering abroad.
And I saw an opportunity to help children in an Icelandic school, with the association WF (Worldwide Friends).
I made a little video/vlog about it! And in bonus, just wanted to share some key points in this article that I didn’t mention in this video ๐
So, what did I get by volunteering in Iceland?
Well…
1. Realization: I am biased.
The different cultures around the world offer us an infinity of possibility to experience and understand life. By spending time volunteering with people all around the world, you realize how you are limited by your biases. It really motivated me to discover as many worldviews as possible to expand the way I experience life.
2. I underestimated how friendships can make you feel
You don’t know how someone can impact you forever. You don’t know who you’re gonna meet. And I realized that, yes, this strong feeling of bliss and love does not only exist for romantic partners, but also for friends. Friends that make your soul blossom like Proust would say!
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. โ Marcel Proust
3. I made an impact in a field I didn’t know about
I’ve never worked in a school or have created activities for children. Feeling that I developed new skills and had a positive impact, well, it feels good!
4. I explored Iceland in an affordable way
Iceland is magic. But not the cheapest! By volunteering, it allows you to explore the country with the new people you just met (or alone, depends on how you feel), for cheap prices, thanks to the association that provide you with basics!
5. It made me reflect a lot more than usual
Being out of my routine, and doing things I’m not used to… I also had to adapt to everyone’s rhythm, sometimes with not much to do, sometimes with activities that were not easy. And each time, I reflected on how I felt, how it’s different from usual, how I can grow from it, or make the most of this moment that will become a memory engraved forever.
And I also got inspiration, lessons, hope, laughs… Well, you see what I mean ๐
I really felt like I was in a little bubble, with no work, projects, or responsibilities to think about… And once in a while, wow it does feel refreshing.
I hope this little post can inspire you to do something like this, or just to try something new… Because you never know how you will feel and experience things you do for the first time!
Thanks for reading, see you soon for part 2 ๐
Best for you,
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