My one year of volunteering has come to an end. After extending my project as much as possible ;), the moment has come to leave. It feels strange to say goodbye to Shipka, because over time this place has truly become home.
Before coming here, I was convinced I would never do long-term volunteering. A whole year at one place seemed far too long. But now I see how rewarding it is to stay. When you spend real time at a project, you have the chance to be deeply involved, to see things grow and change, and to build a strong connection to the place and the people around you.
Of course, volunteering also brings challenges. Living and working in a new environment requires patience, adaptability, and openness. There are moments when things don’t go as planned, when communication feels difficult, or when you simply miss what is familiar. But these are the moments where you learn the most — about yourself, about resilience, and about how much you can give and receive when you are part of a community.
For me, volunteering is the best way to get to know another country or culture. It’s not just passing through or visiting for a short while — it’s living side by side with the community, learning their rhythm, sharing their joys, and also their challenges.
Looking back, my year here is filled with warm moments that will stay with me: watching sunsets and sunrises, hiking in the mountains, discovering hidden waterfalls, and camping by the sea. I remember the first snow, the warmth of campfires, the energy of concerts, the laughter of games, and the quiet mornings in the orchard. I learned new skills, enjoyed simple everyday routines, and experienced unexpected moments.
What I discovered is that the people are the most important part of any project. Of course, the activities and the work of the project matter a lot. But in the end, your experience depends most on the connections you make. The friendships, the laughter, the shared meals, the talks, the small everyday moments — these are what make the experience truly meaningful.
Now as I prepare to leave, I feel gratitude and sadness. Gratitude for all that I have lived here. And sadness because leaving also means letting go, letting go of a daily life that has become familiar. It’s not easy to say goodbye to a place where you felt at home, to people who have become like family and to the rhythm of life that shaped you for a year. Yet leaving is also part of the journey. It means taking these memories, friendships and lessons with me, trusting they will continue to shape me wherever life leads.
As I leave Shipka and the Open Mind Project, I carry with me not just skills and memories, but a sense of belonging. Volunteering for a year has been a journey of learning, sharing, and growing together. Although this chapter is closing, it leaves me with roots that will always connect me to this place. For all of this, I am grateful. благодаря!
Proud for what you have done Tirsa it will be a sad day next week leaving but you will have made friends for a lifetime and lots of memories