Hello, I’m İlke.
After completing a one-year volunteering project in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, I wanted to share my experiences with anyone who is considering taking part in a similar project.
The main focus of our project was producing programs for a small local radio station. We created these programs at a youth association that featured a professionally equipped recording studio on the ground floor. Beyond the studio, the association had a spacious and peaceful garden where we often organized barbecues with international university students and local high school students. It was a welcoming environment that brought people from different backgrounds together and made the experience even more enjoyable.
At first, the project may seem a little challenging. However, since you get to choose topics based on your own interests, everything gradually becomes much easier with the support of the radio staff, your fellow volunteers, and the project coordinator, especially when it comes to the technical side of producing the programs.
For the English-language broadcasts, you can explore a wide range of topics, including world politics, culture, current affairs, or simply free-flowing discussions. You can also invite other volunteers as guests and create engaging programs together.
Another important part of the project is producing a radio program in your native language. This creates a truly multilingual and multicultural environment, where seven volunteers from seven different countries can share their own languages and cultures. One of the things I appreciated most was the freedom of expression. As long as your content does not include homophobic, transphobic, racist, or otherwise discriminatory language, there is no censorship, allowing everyone to express their ideas openly and respectfully.
The city is located about three hours from Budapest and has naturally been shaped by the conservative culture and the complex history of wars and political oppression that have influenced much of Eastern Europe. It is also less than an hour away from the borders of Romania, Ukraine, and Slovakia, making it an excellent base for exploring the region.