News
Over the course of my involvement with the ATA organization as an ESC volunteer, I had the privilege of participating in a wide range of activities aimed at engaging with local communities, promoting environmental sustainability, and fostering cultural exchange. Each experience contributed to my growth as a volunteer and provided valuable opportunities to learn, connect, and make a positive impact. 
One of the first projects I participated in was Green Week, where I visited different schools in neighboring villages to raise awareness about environmental issues. I interacted with students from primary to high school, discussing topics like recycling, waste reduction, and reusing materials creatively. Together, we participated in fun games and hands-on activities, where students used old materials to create new items, showcasing their creativity while learning about environmental care. It was inspiring to see how much enthusiasm the students had for these topics. 
Additionally, I had the chance to write weekly articles for the 5Ws project, addressing topics such as the benefits of long-term volunteering with the European Solidarity Corps and the importance of learning about other cultures. These articles allowed me to interact with the ATA community and expanding my own knowledge, as I researched and explored different perspectives on the topics.
Social media engagement was another key area of focus during the project. We held several meetings to brainstorm ways to improve our content and create a more engaging online presence. These discussions were a great opportunity to collaborate with others and come up with new ideas to connect with a wider audience and share ATA’s work.
One of the more practical tasks I was involved in was helping to renovate the ATA youth center. We painted and reorganized the office space, making it a more comfortable and functional environment for the volunteers. It was nice to see how a well-organized, welcoming space could enhance the work being done and make the center a better place for everyone involved.
In November, ATA hosted a youth exchange project focused on immigration and refugees, and I had the chance to assist in planning the event. We organized activities like a treasure hunt to help participants get to know the city, and throughout the exchange, we discussed important topics related to migration and the experiences of refugees. It was inspiring to be part of an event that brought together young people from diverse backgrounds to collaborate in meaningful discussions.
I also visited a high school, where we shared facts about our home countries with different classes. We talked about our histories, languages, famous figures, and tourist attractions, and even exchanged some of our favorite recipes. The students were excited to share their own experiences and dreams of traveling to new places. It was a wonderful experience to see how cultural exchange can close the gap between people from different parts of the world. 
Helping out at the school library was another interesting task, where I assisted in reorganizing books and creating a better learning environment for the students. It was a simple but impactful way to contribute to the educational experience of the children.
A highlight of my time at ATA was participating in a special Advent event at one of the local high schools. The school was beautifully decorated for Christmas, and we had the chance to bring materials for DIY decorations, such as paper angels, honeycomb balls, and wooden ornaments. The children enjoyed painting and decorating the items, and each child was able to take home their creation as a keepsake for the holiday season. It was a joyful event that brought the community together in the spirit of Christmas.
In December, ATA hosted a meeting for teachers from different parts of the world as part of the VET Pact project, which focused on sharing the results of non-formal education activities. I had the opportunity to assist with logistics and engage with the teachers, learning more about their experiences and the importance of non-formal education in shaping the lives of young people. 
Looking back on my experience with ATA, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a dynamic and impactful project. Each activity allowed me to learn, grow, and contribute to meaningful causes, whether through raising awareness about environmental issues, supporting educational initiatives, or engaging in cultural exchange. The connections I made with students, volunteers, and community members were truly rewarding, and I look forward to continuing my journey of giving back to the community.
As the most beautiful time of the year approached, we enjoyed Christmas as much as our children, immersing ourselves in their illusion and joy to learn and discover new things every day. In the Hungarian culture, which is present in our village, Cristuru Secuiesc, Santa Claus visits the children for the first time on December 5th at night. On that same day, “Mikulás” came to pay a little visit to the children and gave them a present, without forgetting about us.
In this period of time, we have been able to observe how the children remember some English words and even try to use them when communicating with us. For instance, it makes us incredibly happy to be part of their learning process and see how they apply it to everyday life— like when they are painting and suddenly tell you the colors in English or make the effort to say “thank you” or “goodbye” showing their gratitude for our presence.
