Expect the unexpected – and enjoy every moment!

A suitcase in hand, a heart full of expectations, and a ticket to Germany. That’s how it all began. Honestly, if someone had told me what awaited me when I packed my suitcase and headed to Germany, I probably would have just laughed. You know that feeling when you’re convinced you have a plan and think you know exactly what lies ahead? Well, forget about that. This volunteer year? It showed me that life has a way of surprising you just when you least expect it. But here I am, writing about a year that brought me more than I could have ever imagined.

It was September 2023 when I arrived in the city of Halle (Saale) with a huge suitcase (which, believe me, I didn’t even manage to pack properly) and excitement that is hard to describe. A girl from Bosnia, with roots in Ukraine, in Germany – that fact alone sounds like a story to tell, but the real challenges were just beginning.

The first few days were as I had imagined – new people, new culture, a new language, and a city full of hidden beauty. Everything was going according to plan – at least at the start. But, in reality, life liked to throw a few surprises my way. My knee. Yes, you heard that right. Very soon after my arrival, I started feeling pain in my right knee.

Who would have thought that a small joint could be so persistent in causing problems? At first, it was a slight pain, then it became ibuprofen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with occasional extras, of course), and then, suddenly, the doctors said, “surgery.” And so, while everyone else was volunteering, running to seminars and projects, I, with my leg in the air, worked on my little project called “walking without pain again.” Yes, surgery wasn’t part of the plan, but that’s exactly what life brings – unplanned adventures.

But let’s talk about what truly marked my time in Germany – the organization where I volunteered, Kulturwerkstatt Grüne Villa. This isn’t just a place where work is done with children and young people; it’s a space full of life, laughter, and creativity. I had the chance to organize workshops, music projects, and even theater performances. Every day brought something new. But what was truly special were the children. The children who come to Grüne Villa are little wonders – full of energy, ideas, and boundless curiosity. I learned from them every day. Their patience while helping me with the German language, their creativity as we created together… those are moments I will remember for the rest of my life.

I didn’t expect that these children would change me so much. But every smile, every creative idea, every moment when they taught me German words (and laughed at my mistakes) – all of that shaped me. Grüne Villa was a place where, day by day, I also learned about myself. Every moment was unforgettable, and there I didn’t feel like a volunteer – I was part of a community, part of a team.

My life in Germany was full of challenges, like learning the German language! Let’s just say that my first weeks felt like watching a movie without subtitles. But you know how it goes – when children teach you their favorite German words, things start to look a lot easier! My German gradually, but surely, improved with daily practice.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the most unexpected part of the whole story – love! Volunteering was an opportunity to connect with others on so many levels, but I didn’t expect that, here in Germany, I would find love that would later turn into a wedding! Yes, you read that right. I never thought my time abroad would end like that. I got married and started a completely new chapter – yet another proof that you never know what the future holds. Did I plan that? Of course not! But life, as I said before, has a way of surprising you. This was the moment when my volunteer year became a year of new beginnings.

But I don’t want to end my story just there. My year in Germany brought me so much, and volunteering gave me more than I expected. I learned so much about myself, about other cultures, and about how important it is to be open to the world. New opportunities are waiting for you, as long as you let them surprise you.

What I really want to say to everyone considering volunteering is – don’t be afraid of the unexpected. Volunteering isn’t just an opportunity to help others; it’s a chance to grow, to develop, and to discover parts of yourself you didn’t even know existed. Every challenge – whether it’s a language barrier, cultural shock, or even an unexpected surgery – carries with it an opportunity to learn and a chance to become stronger. Every volunteer year is unique, just like every person who goes through it. Yours will be completely different, and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful.

In the end, I want to say that this year of mine is just one of many, and it’s special in its own way. I hope you liked my story, and I can’t wait to hear yours! Because every story is unique!

My message to future volunteers? Pack your suitcases, get ready for new challenges, let life surprise you, and don’t be afraid of what you can’t predict. Sometimes the most beautiful things come from the unplanned – whether it’s a new skill, new friendships, or even love.

My name is Sanela Ramović, and this was my volunteer story.

I volunteered during the year 2023/2024.

I send you all my warm regards, wish you incredible adventures, and good luck in writing your own unique stories!