A Year of Discoveries: Adri‘s European Solidarity Corps Experience with Green Steps

When I first considered volunteering abroad, the prospect of working with an environmental education organization in Central Europe, surrounded by different languages and cultures, immediately caught my attention. Coming from Spain, I was curious about what this experience would bring, and I was excited to discover Austria while contributing to a project that connects education, nature, and community.
A year later, my time with Green Steps in St. Pölten has become a year of learning, new friendships, cultural discoveries, and opportunities to step outside my comfort zone.
 

During my time with Green Steps, I had the opportunity to contribute to a wide variety of activities and projects. My tasks included helping with the organization of different activities, designing and maintaining several quests, and contributing to the maintenance and development of the ARK app.
These responsibilities allowed me to discover different aspects of environmental education and place-based learning. I learned how educational activities can encourage people to explore their surroundings, connect with their local environment, and develop a deeper understanding of the places where they live.

 

Although everyday work was an important part of my experience, participating in events and activities was undoubtedly one of my favorite aspects of volunteering with Green Steps. From the Night of Science in Krems to the Green Steps summer camp in St. Pölten, these events gave me the chance to meet new people, work as part of a team, and see the impact of environmental education in action.

I also had the opportunity to participate in Green Steps projects in different parts of Austria and beyond, including Linz, Bad Radkersburg, and Zürich. Traveling to these places and taking part in different projects helped me discover new environments, experience different approaches, and understand the broad network of people and ideas connected to Green Steps. These experiences were often intense, sometimes challenging, but always rewarding. They are among the memories I will carry with me long after the end of my volunteering year.

 

Moving from Spain to Austria meant adapting to a new culture, a new language environment, and a different rhythm of life. One of the biggest challenges, perhaps surprisingly, was the Austrian winter. Coming from Spain, I was not prepared for how different winter could feel in Central Europe. The cold, the shorter days, and the weather were a real change from what I was used to. However, learning to adapt to these differences became part of the experience, and eventually, even the difficult moments became part of my story.

Beyond the weather, living in Austria gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in Austrian culture. I discovered new traditions, ways of life, and perspectives, while also learning to navigate a multilingual environment. Every conversation and every new experience helped me feel more connected to the place I was living in.

One of the greatest gifts of this year has been the people I met. I made many friends, both through Green Steps and through the meetings organized by the national organization with other European Solidarity Corps volunteers. These meetings were a wonderful opportunity to exchange experiences, discover different cultures, and build friendships with people from across Europe. Sharing the challenges and adventures of volunteering abroad with others who were going through similar experiences made the journey even more meaningful. These friendships reminded me that the European Solidarity Corps is not only about volunteering in another country. It is also about creating connections, understanding different perspectives, and becoming part of a wider European community.
 

Over the past year, I have learned a lot about place-based education, environmental awareness, and the importance of connecting people with their surroundings. I have also gained a better understanding of what being a European citizen means to me.

For me, European citizenship is not just about living within the European Union or traveling between countries. It is about meeting people from different backgrounds, learning from one another, and discovering the values and experiences we share. It is about being open to differences and recognizing that cooperation can create opportunities that would not be possible alone.

My time in Austria has also taught me to be more adaptable, independent, and open-minded. I have learned that stepping into an unfamiliar environment can be challenging, but it can also lead to some of the most valuable experiences.

 

As my European Solidarity Corps experience with Green Steps comes to an end, I look back with gratitude for everything this year has brought me: the projects, the events, the challenges, the friendships, and the countless small moments that made St. Pölten feel like home.
I arrived from Spain curious about environmental education in Central Europe and eager to experience life in a multilingual environment. I leave with new skills, new perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the importance of connecting people with nature and with one another.
This year has been a journey of discovery, and I am grateful to Green Steps, the people I worked with, and everyone I met along the way for making it such a meaningful chapter of my life.



 

• Curious Camp 2026
• A Review of the Homegrown Course
• Explore Herzogenburg with Peter Pan
• A Review of the Genuine Growth Course

• Flying Friends
• Amazing Amphibians
• Ecoregions of Spain
• The Human Animal Film Course
• The Fragance of Nature

• Curious Camp St. Polten 2026 
• ARK Crew Call Full Moon
• DIY EMA
• Genuine Growth Week 5 - Natural History Museum
• Plastic Pirates

Further reading:
• Reconnecting to place for planetary health
• Milla's Year of ESC Volunteering: A Journey with Green Steps!
• One Year of Volunteering with Green Steps!

Interested to start a nature learning space in your town or school?
• https://ark.greensteps.me/page/create-community/
• https://ark.greensteps.me/page/commons-mentor/