10 Months as an ESC Volunteer in Finland: Anna's Story

At Youth Works Hub, we love sharing the real journeys of our community. Anna, 24, from Poland, spent 10 months in Finland as a European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteer, working on environmental education. The European Solidarity Corps is the European Union programme that brings young people together to build a more inclusive society, support vulnerable people and respond to societal and humanitarian challenges. Individual Volunteering is a solidarity activity of a duration of 2 weeks to 12 months, excluding travel time. Here is her story, in her own words.

Last updated: November 2026.

How a 24-year-old from Poland spent nearly a year teaching environmental education in Finnish forests — and what she gained along the way.

By Anna from Poland 🇵🇱 · 10-month ESC placement · 🌿 Environmental Education

Quick overview: Anna volunteered in Finland for 10 months through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), working on environmental education with children in forests and eco-centers. All costs — travel, accommodation, meals, and pocket money — were covered by the programme.

My name is Anna, I'm 24 years old and from Poland. A little over a year ago, I did something that completely changed the way I see the world: I packed a bag and flew to Finland for a 10-month ESC volunteering placement focused on environmental education.

I had heard about the European Solidarity Corps through a friend, but I honestly didn't know what to expect. Would it really be fully funded? Would the work be meaningful? Would I manage in a country whose language I didn't speak? The answer to all three questions turned out to be yes — in ways I hadn't imagined.

"Volunteering through the ESC wasn't just a programme for me — it was a turning point."
— Anna, ESC Volunteer in Finland 🇫🇮

ESC Placement at a Glance

Programme: European Solidarity Corps (ESC)
Country: Finland 🇫🇮
Duration: 10 months (long-term individual volunteering)
Focus area: Environmental education
Volunteer age: 24 (ESC is open to ages 18–30)
Costs covered: Travel, accommodation, meals, pocket money, insurance

🌲 What I Actually Did

My project was based in and around Finnish forests and eco-centers, working alongside a small team to bring environmental education to local children. The work was practical, hands-on, and genuinely impactful — which is rare for something that didn't require me to have any specific qualifications going in.

A typical week involved outdoor workshops with school groups, guided nature walks, and creative sustainability projects. Some highlights:

Tree-planting days with local schools — we taught kids about native species and why biodiversity matters.

Building birdhouses together — a simple activity that turned into a lesson on habitats and ecosystems.

Zero Waste Week Challenge — my personal favourite. We helped families discover practical, creative ways to reduce household waste. Watching children's curiosity light up was genuinely the best part of the job.

None of this required prior expertise. What it required was enthusiasm, patience, and a willingness to show up. The hosting organisation provided all training and support from day one.

🏡 What Life in Finland Is Actually Like

If you're considering ESC volunteering in Finland, here's the honest picture: it is beautiful, it is cold, and it is unlike anywhere else in Europe.

I arrived in autumn and watched the country transform through all its seasons. Snowy winters spent in wooden cabins, the strange and magical experience of the Northern Lights appearing overhead, and the deeply embedded sauna culture that I came to genuinely love — not as a tourist novelty, but as a real part of daily life shared with colleagues and neighbours.

The Finnish approach to nature is not decorative. People here have a real relationship with forests, lakes, and silence. Working in environmental education in that context felt meaningful in a way that would have been harder to replicate elsewhere.

📈 What I Gained — Honestly

ESC is sometimes marketed with vague promises about "personal growth." Here is what that actually looked like for me:

🎤 Public speaking
Running workshops for school groups — in English, not my native language — built confidence I didn't know I was missing.

🧭 Leadership
I took initiative on project planning and coordination, often without being asked.

🌍 Cross-cultural communication
Working with Finnish colleagues and international volunteers taught me how differently people communicate.

🌿 Environmental literacy
I learned an enormous amount about ecosystems, sustainability practices, and how education can drive behavioural change.

All of these skills are recorded in a YouthPass certificate, which is the official ESC document you receive at the end of your placement — recognised across Europe as a record of non-formal learning.

❓ Common Questions About ESC Volunteering

Do I need to speak Finnish to volunteer in Finland?
No. My project was conducted in English, and the hosting organisation supported me throughout. Finnish is useful socially but not a requirement for most ESC placements.

Is ESC really fully funded?
Yes. Travel, accommodation, meals, and pocket money are covered. You are not expected to pay out of pocket for living costs during your placement.

Can I choose the country?
You browse open placements on the European Youth Portal and apply to the ones that interest you. You're not assigned a country — you choose based on what's available and what fits your interests.

What is the age limit for ESC?
The European Solidarity Corps is open to young people aged 18 to 30. You must be 18 when the placement starts; you can finish after turning 31 if the start date was before your 31st birthday.

Every young person taking part in European Solidarity Corps activities is entitled to go through the Youthpass process and receive a Youthpass certificate at the end of the process. Our guides on how long an ESC project lasts, what being fully funded means and volunteering with animals and nature in Europe cover the next questions.

Thank you, Anna, for sharing your story 💚 Have your own Erasmus+ or ESC story? Send it to Youth Works Hub and we will feature it here, so other young people can see what is possible.

👉 ESC projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=esc-projects