Macedonian Learning Community and Resource

My European Voluntary Service Journey in Nordhausen

Dear community,

I’ve introduced myself to you, and we’ve hung out for years—but have I ever told you I was an Erasmus volunteer once, too?

April 2015 marked the beginning of an unforgettable chapter in my life: my European Voluntary Service (EVS) in Nordhausen, a quaint town nestled in the heart of Germany. As I embarked on this adventure, I knew I was stepping into a world of challenges, growth, and transformation, though I had no idea just how profound it would be.

The first moments of my EVS journey were both exciting and intimidating. Landing at Leipzig airport, the closest airport to Nordhause, I felt mixed emotions—confusion, fear, and curiosity about the year ahead. Navigating my way to the train station was overwhelming, but amidst the chaos of the station hall, I spotted a familiar face.
It was a guy around my age, carrying a massive backpack and sporting a cool, laid-back style. I remembered seeing him on the flight from Istanbul to Leipzig, where I’d had a connection. In desperation, I mustered the courage to approach him and ask for directions. To my relief, he smiled warmly and revealed that he was also heading to Nordhausen—his hometown.

As we continued our journey together, he told me that he was coming back from Naples, where he volunteered for a year. He’d taught young monks to speak German. He shared fascinating stories about the people he met and the lessons he learned, all of which he was documenting in a journal that would soon become a book.
Then, he said something that struck a chord with me, words I would carry with me for the rest of my year:
"The circle feels complete now. As I return home from my year of volunteering, I’ve crossed paths with another volunteer heading to my hometown—to share something, to teach, to inspire, to give. It’s a beautiful symmetry, a balance that feels like the perfect way to close this chapter of my journey and conclude my journal."

True to his word, he later published his book and even sent me a copy, a gesture that reminded me of how interconnected our journeys as volunteers truly are.

Nordhausen welcomed me with its quiet charm. A small town with few foreigners, it initially felt isolating, but it didn’t take long for me to find my place.

I started my EVS at a local kindergarten, where my primary responsibility was organizing and conducting creative workshops for children around the age of five. The vibrant energy of the children was contagious, but my lack of fluency in German posed a significant challenge. Although I had learned German in primary and secondary school, I wouldn't have called myself a confident speaker. I often found myself lost in translation, grappling with frustration, especially in formal settings like banks and hospitals.

A turning point in my journey was my German lessons with Frau Dagmar, a retired primary school teacher who welcomed me into her world with warmth and patience. Our one-on-one lessons were more than just language classes—they were cultural exchanges filled with stories, laughter, and even baked goods.
Frau Dagmar had a knack for making learning engaging. For instance, after I shared an awkward experience at the bank, she tailored our lesson to include banking vocabulary and phrases. On other days, she’d bring fresh apple pie or strudel, walking me through the German recipe while I absorbed new vocabulary. Her generosity extended beyond lessons; she often brought vegetables from her garden, turning them into teaching moments about the names of produce in German.

The second half of my EVS year brought a significant shift in my language learning journey. This was when the pilot Online Linguistic Support (OLS) program was launched, offering a new, structured way to learn German. I eagerly transitioned my studies to the platform, which complemented the solid foundation I had built with Frau Dagmar. The OLS program not only enhanced my language skills but also introduced me to an innovative approach to learning that I found both flexible and effective. This tool became an essential part of my EVS experience, helping me navigate daily life in Nordhausen with growing confidence.

As I settled into life in Nordhausen, I discovered its vibrant cultural tapestry. One surprising hub of international life was the local opera and ballet, where artists and performers from around the globe gathered. Through connections there, I built a diverse circle of friends who enriched my experience. We exchanged stories, ideas, and meals—Macedonian food nights became a regular occurrence as I shared a piece of my heritage with them.
Beyond my work in the kindergarten, I volunteered as a translator at the refugee center, assisting people by bridging communication gaps in Macedonian, Serbian, German, and English. This extra responsibility gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by newcomers in Germany and the importance of empathy and patience in navigating cultural differences.

From town festivals and bustling markets to church events and holiday celebrations, I immersed myself in everything Nordhausen had to offer. Each event was an opportunity to understand the German way of life and become part of the community. Joining a hiking group and swimming at the local pool were my go-to activities for staying active and meeting new people.

As I reflect on my EVS journey, I see it as a year of balance—between giving and receiving, teaching and learning, and experiencing the beauty of cultural exchange. The words of my traveling companion on that first day echoed throughout my year: I had come to Nordhausen to bring something, teach something, and give something, but I had received so much more in return.

This experience taught me the importance of connection, patience, and the courage to step into the unknown. It wasn’t just a year of personal growth; it was a testament to the power of shared humanity and the incredible bonds we form when we open our hearts and minds to the world.