Hello, my name is Silvia, and after three months living and working in Vietnam, I can already
say that this experience has deeply shaped my life!
With seven months still ahead of me, I feel fully immersed in a journey that started long
before I arrived in Hanoi.
I first learned about the European Solidarity Corps project while I was living in Germany
during my Erasmus. At that time, the idea of combining international experience, social
impact, and personal growth immediately caught my attention, even if it felt like something
distant. Later, when I moved to Mexico for another exchange, my perspective changed
completely. Living there made me realize how vast, diverse, and complex the world truly is,
and how much there is still to learn beyond Europe. It was also in Mexico where I became
much more aware of environmental issues, especially air pollution, which is a daily reality in
many cities. Seeing its impact on people’s quality of life made sustainability stop being an
abstract concept and turn into a concrete concern for me.
After finishing my studies, I started working at a bank. From the outside, it was a stable and
respectable job, but internally I felt disconnected. I realized that, at that moment in my life, I
did not want my daily work to be limited to financial performance alone. I felt the need to
explore, to contribute to something with a clearer social and environmental purpose. Being
young, flexible, and curious, I knew that making a change at that stage was not a risk, but an
opportunity. That is when the idea of the European Solidarity Corps came back to me, this
time as a real and concrete step.
This path eventually brought me to Vietnam, where I am currently deployed with CSDS as
part of a ten-month European Solidarity Corps project. Arriving in Hanoi was overwhelming
in the best possible way. The city is intense, vibrant, noisy, and full of life, and adapting to its
rhythm required patience and openness. Now, after three months, it already feels familiar,
even if it continues to surprise me every day.
During our first days at CSDS, we were introduced to the organization’s work through visits
to different schools where educational activities take place. These visits helped us understand
the local context and the real needs of the students. One of the most impactful moments of
this initial phase was our visit to the Friendship Village, a place that supports people with
disabilities caused by the long-term effects of Agent Orange. Learning about this history and
seeing its lasting consequences was deeply moving and reminded me how important
long-term commitment and education are in addressing historical injustices.
In addition to field visits, CSDS gave us the opportunity to engage with the international
community in Hanoi. We were invited to several events held at different embassies, focusing
mainly on climate change, sustainability, and environmental cooperation. Attending these
events helped me better understand how diplomacy, and local initiatives interact, and
reinforced my interest in international cooperation and environmental issues.
A big part of our daily work at CSDS is language teaching. Most of the time we teach
English, but we also support other languages such as French, Spanish, and German. What
makes this especially interesting is that, as international volunteers, we do not only teach
grammar or vocabulary. We bring our cultures, our experiences, and our different ways of
seeing the world into the classroom. For many students, learning a language becomes a way
of connecting with other countries and realities at the same time. Classes often turn into open
conversations about culture, daily life, global issues, and personal goals, which makes the
learning process much more dynamic and engaging for everyone involved.
Alongside regular language classes, we are also in charge of a new initiative called the
“Youth for Earth” club. This club focuses on sustainability, and each month we organize
activities related to environmental protection, climate change, waste reduction, and
sustainable lifestyles. Being involved in the creation and development of this club has been
especially rewarding, as it allows us to turn abstract concepts into practical, creative, and fun
activities for young people.
Another important part of our work is managing the NGO’s café. This café functions as a
community space where one-to-one classes take place and where students, volunteers, and
locals can interact. The money generated goes directly into a fund that supports students in
need, helping them access educational opportunities they might otherwise not afford. Taking
responsibility for this project has shown me how small initiatives, when well organized, can
have a real and tangible social impact.
Life in Vietnam, however, goes far beyond work. During these first three months, I have been
able to travel to different parts of the country, including Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, and Ninh Binh.
Each place revealed a different side of Vietnam, from impressive rice terraces and mountain
landscapes to rivers and rural life. These trips allowed me to better understand the country
and step outside the routine of everyday work.
Some of these experiences also pushed me out of my comfort zone. I tried paragliding, went
on demanding hikes, and spent long hours immersed in nature. These moments were not only
exciting, but also reflective, giving me time to process everything I am learning here. Sharing
these experiences with other volunteers strengthened our bonds and created memories that I
will carry with me for a long time.
In December, we also had to temporarily leave Vietnam for our visa run, which gave me the
opportunity to visit Thailand. Experiencing another country in Southeast Asia helped me put
my time in Vietnam into a broader regional perspective and further increased my curiosity
about this part of the world.
What truly makes this experience special are the people. Working with local staff, local
volunteers, and other international volunteers has been incredibly enriching. The exchange of
perspectives, cultures, and ideas happens every day, both inside and outside the workplace.
The openness, kindness, and commitment of the people I have met here have made me feel
welcomed and supported.
After three months, I feel confident saying that choosing the European Solidarity Corps
project was the right decision for me. I am learning constantly, contributing in meaningful
ways, and growing both personally and professionally. With seven months still ahead, I am
motivated to continue exploring, learning, and engaging as deeply as possible. This
experience in Vietnam is not only shaping my present, but also influencing the direction I
want my future to take.