Short-Term project against long-term project - which one has a bigger impact on the organization and the stability aftermath? Let’s see why the two are different and why.
Let’s start to determine what’s a short-term project? Short-term ESC volunteering refers to placements ranging from 2 weeks to 2 months. It's a quick way to contribute and gain experience in less time and easier logistics that makes you discover volunteering and get a clear idea on what you want to do and how exactly you can contribute to the organization. This is the time when it gets complicated. You have less than 2 months to propose and implement any change for organization or a project in a foreign country you may not know. Leaving a long-lasting impact, if that’s your intention, in just a couple of weeks can be tough or challenging.
Now for the long-term project you have 2-12 months. It allows you for deeper immersion, more significant impact, and the opportunity to build lasting relationships within a community. You will understand the project more, will get more connected to the people you will meet and work with, have more time to develop your skills, discover a brand new culture, and create a good project that you are proud of having been doing.
To conclude, short-term projects can be good if you want to travel for the summer vacation for example or want to have an international experience but, in my opinion, you will have less impact on your project and the organization compared to long-term projects, when you can develop deeper connections, skills, knowledge, create something bigger and experience a long adventure.
The most important thing is to choose with specific intention. Being in a country on a short-term project and discovering something new or being on a long-term project and leaving a bigger impact.
Resources:
“Short-Term vs Long-Term Volunteering: Which is Right for You?” (Sam, August 29, 2025) https://volunteering.org.au/blog/short-term-vs-long-term-volunteering-which-is-right-for-you/
“Can short-term volunteering have an impact?” (Petrina Darrah, August 17, 2022) https://www.gvi.co.uk/blog/can-short-term-volunteering-really-have-an-impact/
Text a fotka: Diego Guerreiro
Diego je dobrovoľníkom programu Európskej komisie Európsky zbor solidarity na dobrovoľníckom projekte v organizácii DOBROdružstvo. Projekt bol podporený Európskou komisiou z programu Európsky zbor solidarity.
Since I started volunteering, I knew that technology would help me from the moment I arrived until the day I returned to my country. But you don’t truly realize how important it is until you experience it yourself and see how much it makes everything easier — from our volunteer work to daily life.
Nowadays, thanks to digital tools, the concept of “being present” has completely changed. Digital platforms have opened up a world of possibilities. Through specialized websites, I can contact my coworkers, receive instructions about my daily tasks, and meet with them using tools like Google Meet and Zoom. This really helps me stay coordinated with the team on days when we can’t meet in person.
Social media also plays a huge role. Thanks to Instagram and Facebook, we can share stories, promote activities, and show the impact of our projects to many more people. These platforms are not only useful for spreading information but also for inspiring more young people to get involved. Many times, a simple video or post can spark interest and encourage others to participate in activities that help others — and that’s how we reach new volunteers.
In my case, technology is also making continuous learning easier — both in terms of improving my language skills and through online courses that help me grow in areas like graphic design and social media management.
When it comes to living in a foreign country, technology is also incredibly helpful. It makes it easier to find directions, use public transport, discover new places, make plans and friends, and most importantly — it helps me communicate in a language I don’t know at all, like Slovak.
Therefore, for me, technology has been essential in my volunteering experience. It connects us, educates us, and allows us to contribute in a much simpler way, with endless new possibilities. Being a volunteer in this digital era has taught me that helping others doesn’t depend on distance — it depends on our willingness and the tools we have at our disposal.
Text a fotka: Paula Fernández Martín
Paula je dobrovoľníčkou programu Európskej komisie Európsky zbor solidarity na dobrovoľníckom projekte v organizácii Bratislavské dobrovoľnícke centrum. Projekt bol podporený Európskou komisiou z programu Európsky zbor solidarity.
During my volunteering experience in Bratislava, I worked on social media and communication tasks. It was exciting, but international volunteering also came with some unexpected challenges.
The first one was communication. Although we used English, it wasn’t always easy to explain ideas or understand everything in meetings. I sometimes felt lost or unsure. To fix this, I started repeating tasks in my own words and asking more questions. That helped a lot.
Another challenge was motivation. Working on a laptop every day can be hard. Some days, I didn’t feel very useful. What helped me was having a routine, tracking small wins, and talking with other volunteers. Sharing experiences made me feel less alone.
International volunteering also taught me to be more organized. I used tools like Google Calendar and
Trello to plan my days and stay focused.
Even with these difficulties, this project helped me grow a lot — both personally and
professionally.
My advice to future volunteers: be patient, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Text a fotka: Jose Ángel López Salvador
Jose je dobrovoľníkom programu Európskej komisie Európsky zbor solidarity na dobrovoľníckom projekte v organizácii Bratislavské dobrovoľnícke centrum. Projekt bol podporený Európskou komisiou z programu Európsky zbor solidarity.
Moving to foreign country is a little challenging, for sure, but we should remember that it is important to go out of our comfort zone to get a better reality, better experiences and better opportunities for self-development. Before coming to Slovakia, in general, I recommend you to check basic details about the country and its capital – Bratislava. Of course, in practice you will go through many things when you settle down properly.
Bratislava is the biggest city of Slovakia, with almost half a million population. I come from Tbilisi, Georgia so it is quite a small capital for me, though I love the calmness of Bratislava. It is not very crowded and busy, no traffic jams, better and fresher air. Bratislava is a safe and clean city. If you love nature, Bratislava will be great for you, we have many parks here, forests and lakes as well. Also, Slovakia is a very green and mountainous country, perfect for hiking and/or at least chilling out in nature.
My next tip would be about the weather and temperature, here it is not very cold and freezing winter but if you are coming from a super sunny and warm country, keep it in your mind that winter days are quite shorter (early sunrise and sunset) and quite often foggy too. Then bring proper clothes, mood and readiness for that.
After you arrive in Bratislava, if you are non-EU, I really recommend you to make an appointment for the residence permit as soon as possible. There is a chance that you will not manage it immediately, so keep going, you can win over the booking system 😊
There are international people in Bratislava to whom you can make contacts. Comenius university has the Erasmus page too and plus there are many bars, centers and organizations where you can meet international people. Also, Bratislava is the capital so here lots of locals speak very good English, some of them are shy so it is your turn to be initiator and start the conversation. The local people are very nice and friendly. They will appreciate it if you learn some basic phrases, words in Slovak. It is not about Slovakia, in general, it is super nice and respectful when you know the basics in the locals' language.
I would like to mention some info about public transport, it is really amazing. Even though the city is not very big, they have lots of routes of buses and trolley-buses and plus the trams. I recommend you to buy a monthly ticket or if you stay for 1 year then 1-year ticket, that is smarter and cheaper. Also, there are night buses in Bratislava. All the stops, info-desks and announcements are in English too. Bratislava has the perfect location, you can travel abroad very easily as well. The city has an airport and the bigger Vienna airport is just 50 minutes away from here. Don’t forget to explore Slovakia too. The country has quite good train connections that are more eco-friendly and comfortable.
One more tip is to check the city website - https://bratislava.sk/en and also https://www.citylife.sk/ plus follow the Instagram pages according your interests to get all information on time, city is quite livable, lots of cultural, sport and outdoor activities, including festivals and historical celebrations. Also, I really enjoy visiting cozy cafes, the city is full of delicious pastry and coffee. Prices are quite affordable, as in the supermarkets as in the cafes and restaurants too. Here I will not mention “must see” places now because anyway you will find them out yourself, just try to walk a lot, go out of central areas, Bratislava offers you much more than only “must see” spots.
Last but not least, if you need any help or support, you should ask for it. No one can guess automatically so don’t be shy or afraid of asking for help. Take it easy, locals, your mentor and organization can support you, they are very empathetic and helpful.
Enjoy your stay in Bratislava! Eat local food, get local drinks, be lost in the streets of Bratislava! If you love the city then it will adore you back!
P.S. Don’t tell the locals that you like Coca-Cola more than Kofola. What is Kofola? Hmm, you will find out 😊
Best wishes,
Zura
Text a fotka: Zurabi Sanadze
Zura je dobrovoľníkom programu Európskej komisie Európsky zbor solidarity na dobrovoľníckom projekte v organizácii Mládež ulice pod koordináciou Bratislavského dobrovoľníckeho centra. Projekt bol podporený Európskou komisiou z programu Európsky zbor solidarity.
Circus is a wonderful thing. It connects people, makes them laugh and makes them move. There are so many possibilities. Anyone can find something that they like. Some are maybe more drawn towards acrobatics like silk, hula hooping or trapeze. Those who are less flexible and athletic, can always grab some juggling balls, flower sticks or a spinning plate and lovers of finding balance can find it on a slackline, giant spinning ball or a RolaBola! Best of all, these are not just toys and ordinary movements, you can create choreographies and performances. You can really express yourself and combine different circus skills.
I wasn't new to doing circus before coming to Slovakia. I am already part of my local community circus in Ljubljana and when I came to Bratislava, I noticed quite soon that CKK is not as experimental and free as my home circus, where we improvise a lot. The approach in Cirkuskus is more based on choreographies and workshops, because they work a lot for various companies, who rent them and they require more structured shows.
Something totally new to me in Bratislava was becoming a circus teacher for kids and before the first class ever, I was of course kind of nervous, asking myself, what are they going to be like. And then the day came and it wasn't all that scary. I actually enjoyed being with them, interacting with them and giving them tips on how they should juggle or spin a plate. Actually one of my favorite weeks during my time in CirKusKus was doing the kids summer camp CircusOK at the end of June, where I was helping with teaching and also doing some food preparation and cleanup work. It was hot, but so much fun!
The CirKusKus family is kind of big, as there are many people teaching various circus disciplines. Helli is the main acrobat, teaching silk, aerial hoop, partner acrobatics and trapeze. Suzanne, she is from Belgium, living now in Slovakia for 9 years already, is the captain of balance skills and Eli and Dejvo are the main teachers for juggling, POI and other circus disciplines that mostly involve more work with hands and dancing. Besides this core group, there are also other affiliates of the CKK, who perform, sometimes help with workshops or are just a part of the Bratislava Circus community, that has weekly meetings on Wednesdays in the evenings, where many of the local circus artists meet and train together.
Another thing is also travelling around for events and workshops with CKK, because when it gets warmer in the spring, CirKusKus suddenly awakens from its winter sleep and starts to travel around. Mainly with two little cute cars. An old little yellow WV and an old Škoda Felicia. Sometimes we started packing these cute old cars very early in the morning, opening the little circus storage in the basement of Nova Cvernovka and getting ready for our daily performance trip.
Oh yeah and I did stilting for the first time here in Slovakia. It was so much fun, but at first of course a bit scary, because you are suddenly so high up, so you just have to get used to it! But it's one of my favorite things now. It's the way people look up at you. And all of the kids want to be as big as you. Sometimes the parents take them up to you, to give a high five! Sometimes we even grab some clubs and start juggling! I hope I can do it more in the future.
Text a fotka: Fedja Saksida
Fedja je dobrovoľníkom programu Európskej komisie Európsky zbor solidarity na dobrovoľníckom projekte v organizácii Cirkuskus pod koordináciou Bratislavského dobrovoľníckeho centra. Projekt bol podporený Európskou komisiou z programu Európsky zbor solidarity.
When doing an ESC project, you get food and pocket money. It depends on where you are volunteering, some countries have higher budgets, some lower. In Slovakia we get a total of 380 euros per month. For some people this may be enough, but for a majority, I would say there are months where you will go quite over this budget. It is not only advisable, but necessary to come here with some savings. Say 1000 euro minimum for a long term volunteering. All in all it's a good way to learn to become more humble and try to get used to living on a budget. So, maybe sometimes you have to skip buying that souvenir you really wanted or maybe skip that trip to Prague. But maybe then you will find something much more meaningful and cheap in your surroundings. Meet new people, which is free! It's also kind of realising that your role currently as a volunteer is not one of a tourist, who spends a lot of money. Volunteers really shouldn’t be materialistic people.
I always say that experience is much more important than money. And in ESC, there is really a lot of experience you will get, while meeting new people, living in another part of the world and trying to be a helping hand in a different community than your own. Also, you will get to live on your own, as ESC does in fact cover your living rent! You will either have your own room, or share it with another person. Both options are cool, because when living alone, you have your own space, maybe for the first time in your life, and you really need to learn to be alone sometimes. Or maybe you will share your room or apartment with more people, which is also a very nice learning experience, to get to know how to set up borders within a small space and create this nice harmonious living situation. Also, when living with other people, it enables you to make lunches together, which is another great way to save money.
There are not only benefits to the volunteer, but also for the community itself. For instance, I myself volunteer here in Bratislava as a circus instructor in the organization CirKusKUs. Firstly, we are working with a lot of kids and in this way the children have a very good chance to be in contact with people from other cultures and therefore learn to communicate with people from other cultures and overcome some prejudice, which they may have. Secondly, we also do workshops and performances outside our school and in this way share our positive and creative vibes with various people from the streets of Bratislava or sometimes even from other cities, because in the spring and summer times we travel around Slovakia a lot!
Text: Fedja Saksida
Fedja je dobrovoľníkom programu Európskej komisie Európsky zbor solidarity na dobrovoľníckom projekte v organizácii Cirkuskus pod koordináciou Bratislavského dobrovoľníckeho centra. Projekt bol podporený Európskou komisiou z programu Európsky zbor solidarity.
In a world facing increasing environmental and social challenges, from climate change to inequality, one of the most powerful tools we have for building resilience is community — and at the heart of strong communities are volunteers. Through my experience volunteering at a circus school, I've come to see how even unconventional forms of service, like teaching circus arts, can help weave stronger social bonds and foster resilience.
At first glance, a circus might not seem like a space for community empowerment. But in reality, it's a place of inclusion, creativity, and growth. As a volunteer instructor, I work with both kids and adults, teaching them circus skills like juggling, acrobatics, or clowning. These may sound like simple, fun activities — and they are — but they also build trust, cooperation, physical confidence, and emotional resilience. For many children, especially those facing social or economic difficulties, the circus becomes a space of empowerment where they learn to overcome fear, work as a team, and celebrate small wins.
Resilience isn't just about surviving a crisis. It's about having the networks, relationships, and confidence to adapt and grow. Circus teaches exactly that: when someone drops a juggling ball or stumbles during a trick, we don't see failure — we see a chance to try again, together. This mindset spills over into real life, especially for young people who carry these lessons into school, home, and beyond.
Beyond teaching, my role also involves performing, which helps bring joy, connection, and inspiration to the community. Performances are open to all, breaking down social barriers and creating shared moments of wonder — something deeply needed in uncertain times.
Volunteering in a circus school may not fix climate change or poverty directly. But it helps build the human foundation needed to face those problems together. It shows that resilience is not only about infrastructure or policy — it's also about joy, trust, creativity, and community.
Text: Zoe Guicquero
Zoe je dobrovoľníčkou programu Európskej komisie Európsky zbor solidarity na dobrovoľníckom projekte v organizácii Cirkuskus pod koordináciou Bratislavského dobrovoľníckeho centra. Projekt bol podporený Európskou úniou.
Everybody's heard of culture shock right? It's when you travel around the world, usually in some other country and suddenly visit a place, where the rules, customs and maybe even the standard behavior isn't what you're used to. It seems like a different planet. People may look at you funny or they scorn you for doing something odd. Also you might have a prejudice about its community and this can certainly influence your actions, which can result in a misunderstanding between you and them.
People really like generalizing, so if there's a stereotype going around about a certain culture, saying that it's unclean, unintelligent, lower standards, it's only through our inexperienced eyes and ears, that we process this information as being real, without really experiencing the culture itself in real life, being really around these people or making some good research. So the best thing you can do is to just pack your bags and go somewhere. If you're under 31, an ESC project is a great way to start!
So you apply for a project and come to a foreign country. Sometimes it is hard to make friends in this environment, because the people you want to make contact with are maybe more introverted or extroverted than you or they have a different historical background, making them more defensive and careful about foreign people. As a guest in this new place, you have to be very respectful and maybe follow some new rules. You really don't want to be an outcast. So maybe try to think differently, talk to people, get to know them. Maybe you won't make friends the first day, but slowly with conversations, interactions and maybe games you will get to know them for being the most wonderful people, just a little different than what you're used to. Sometimes it can be hard to grasp this, but why not take on a little challenge. It will definitely pay off in the end. Even if you won't have the best time there, you will certainly learn some new things and become stronger in the end!
I was doing this ESC project in Greece, where we had to clean beaches and create artworks from trash. Besides us Europeans, there were also some people from the Arab world. I had the pleasure of sharing my tent with a person from Jordan. To be totally honest, it was quite a challenge for me. Living very close with a person from a different culture, which I haven't experienced before, is not something to be taken lightly. We had our issues for sure, he was at times too noisy, his demeanor different and the way he spoke, may have seemed very direct and violent. And there were times, when we also had conflicts, so at one point I proposed to have a real conversation with him. And we shared our emotions with each other. He also said that my behavior is not usual to him. So we both experienced culture shock in the end.We often forget about others and how they are feeling, focusing too much on ourselves and our culture shock and in the process miss, that other people might also be having culture shocks about us. As civilized citizens of today's world, we must have the responsibility to understand that when we come to contact with people from different cultures or when they visit our country, they might also be having a difficult experience, so it's our duty as good citizens, to be kind and accepting to them and understand their emotions, try to make them feel more at home :).
Text a fotka: Fedja Saksida
Fedja je dobrovoľníkom programu Európskej komisie Európsky zbor solidarity na dobrovoľníckom projekte v organizácii Cirkuskus pod koordináciou Bratislavského dobrovoľníckeho centra. Projekt bol podporený Európskou komisiou z programu Európsky zbor solidarity.
Volunteering abroad is considered as an opportunity to help communities, bring you experience and ideas, make a solidarity and difference. However, it’s much more than that. It’s a two-way exchange where volunteers not only offer their skills and time but also gain valuable experiences, perspectives and cultural understanding in return. As an ESC volunteer in Bratislava, I have realized that the true essence of volunteering lies in the balance between giving and getting/learning.
We as the volunteers work in youth centers, social hubs, kindergartens or schools. Working with them, organizing events, teaching languages or helping with social projects, volunteers contribute in meaningful ways. Through these efforts, they empower individuals, foster positive change and help bridge cultural gaps. It makes huge diversity. At the same time, volunteers must be willing to engage with their host communities, understand local needs and environment and adapt their efforts to create a real impact.
Living in a foreign country shows you the different traditions, values and ways of life. Simple things, like celebrating local holidays, trying traditional food, following a traditional life-style of learning the language, become powerful lessons in cultural exchange. These experiences not only enrich your knowledge but also help you to widen your mindset and connect with locals on a deeper level. For example, I had the opportunity to learn basic Slovak that helped me to communicate with locals in a better way and this is kind of respectfulness as well, I tried super delicious traditional food, got into touch with some traditions and festivals. I can say that Christmas vibes, traditions, celebrations are amazing here. Christmas markets are really “must see and feel” and you will enjoy it super well for sure! Maybe all these cultural exchanges and the process is not easy-going, language barriers, unfamiliar customs and different social norms can make the adaptation process challenging. However, these obstacles are part of the learning experience. Overcoming them builds resilience, flexibility and open-mindedness - qualities that are valuable beyond the volunteering experience.
Moreover, the impact of cultural exchange does not end when the volunteer period ends. Volunteers share their cultural aspects with the locals too, and after the project, they bring their experiences back home, sharing new perspectives with their communities and inspiring others to step out of their comfort zones. Volunteering abroad is more than just a process – it is an opportunity for cultural exchange, personal growth and global connection. By both giving and receiving, volunteers and host communities create a shared experience that enriches all participants.
Text a fotka: Zurabi Sanadze
Zura je dobrovoľníkom programu Európskej komisie Európsky zbor solidarity na dobrovoľníckom projekte v organizácii Mládež ulice pod koordináciou Bratislavského dobrovoľníckeho centra. Projekt bol podporený Európskou komisiou z programu Európsky zbor solidarity.
Volunteering is often seen as a way to give back, but for me, it has also been about personal growth. Over the past few months, I have spent time volunteering at a kindergarten in Bratislava, and the experience has changed me in ways I never expected. Through patience, time management, and creativity, I have developed skills that have positively impacted both my personal and professional life for the future.
Learning Patience and Adaptability
One of the biggest lessons I learned was patience. Young children have endless energy, rapid mood shifts, and constant needs. At first, it was overwhelming, but over time, I learned to stay calm and be fully present. Patience isn’t just about waiting—it’s about understanding and adapting, a skill that has helped me in everyday life. It goes hand in hand with endurance, which is also a skill that was hard to learn but now is a part of my daily life.
Mastering Time Management
I thought I was good at managing time, but the kindergarten experience refined this skill. With so much happening at once, I had to prioritize effectively:
What or who needs immediate attention?
What can wait?
What can i bring in today?
Focusing on what truly mattered made me more efficient and balanced. Because with all these new challenges and new problems, upcoming everyday it can be very overwhelming. With this I also learned the importance of taking short breaks to recharge.
Rediscovering Creativity
Children see the world with endless imagination. I initially thought I was there to teach, but they taught me just as much. Watching their creativity inspired me to think differently and solve problems with an open mind. I realized creativity isn’t just about art—it’s about how we approach and see life.
Reassessing What Truly Matters
Seeing kids find joy in simple things—playing outside, reading a book, laughing—made me reflect on my own choices. I started prioritizing meaningful experiences over distractions, spending more time with loved ones, finding things that spark joy for me and be less on technology. It was a small but powerful shift.
A Journey of Growth
Volunteering at the kindergarten has been more than just an act of service—it’s been a journey of self-discovery. I have grown more patient, improved my time management, and embraced creativity. Most importantly, I have learned to appreciate the small moments that make life meaningful. Growth doesn’t always come from big achievements. Sometimes, it happens in quiet moments—helping a child, sharing laughter, or realizing what truly matters. If you have the chance to volunteer, take it. You might be surprised by how much you learn—not just about others, but about yourself.
Text a fotka: Lucia Bereta
Lucia je dobrovoľníčkou programu Európskej komisie Európsky zbor solidarity na dobrovoľníckom projekte v detskom centre Hlavička pod koordináciou Bratislavského dobrovoľníckeho centra. Projekt bol podporený z programu Európsky zbor solidarity.