I talk to young people about ESC all the time, and the same four things come up again and again. “I don’t have enough experience.” “It’s only for students.” “I can’t afford it.” “My English isn’t good enough.” And every single time, I have to deliver the same news: none of that is real. These are myths — and they’re costing people genuine, funded opportunities to live and volunteer abroad.

Let’s go through them one by one.

Myth #1 vs Fact #1

This one is probably the most common barrier I hear about, and it’s completely backwards. The European Solidarity Corps was built with first-timers in mind. Hosting organisations aren’t looking for a CV packed with volunteer gigs — they’re looking for someone who genuinely wants to be there and contribute.

In fact, many ESC hosts actively prefer participants who are coming to volunteering for the first time. The whole point of the programme is non-formal learning — which means you’re supposed to grow during the experience, not arrive already fully formed.

Myth #2 vs Fact #2

The only eligibility criteria that actually matters when it comes to who can apply is your age: you need to be between 18 and 30 when your placement starts. That’s it. The programme does not care whether you are currently studying, working, between jobs, or haven’t been near a university in years.

This is one of the things that genuinely sets ESC apart from many other international programmes, which are often structured around being enrolled in higher education. ESC was designed to be inclusive precisely because the European Commission recognises that young people who are not in education or employment often have the most to gain from this kind of experience — and the least access to it through other channels.

“ESC is one of the few funded international opportunities that doesn’t ask where you studied or what your employment status is.”

Myth #3 vs Fact #3

Let me be very direct here: you do not pay to participate in ESC. Not for the flight. Not for the place you sleep. Not for the food you eat while you’re there. Not for health insurance. All of that is covered through the programme budget, which is funded by the EU.

On top of that, ESC participants receive a pocket money allowance every month. The exact amount depends on the country you’re volunteering in, but it’s designed to cover your personal daily expenses — so you’re not expected to dip into your own savings to get through the placement.

Myth #4 vs Fact #4

ESC includes an Online Linguistic Support (OLS) tool that helps participants learn or improve the language of the host country before and during their placement. You are not expected to arrive fluent. You are not expected to be fluent when you leave either — though most people find that their language skills improve significantly just from being immersed in day-to-day life.

The working language at most projects is English, which makes a lot of placements genuinely accessible to people from all over Europe and beyond. And in terms of the local language — yes, it helps, but it’s never a hard requirement. The whole spirit of ESC is learning through experience, and language is part of that experience, not a prerequisite for it.

So what’s actually stopping you?

If none of the four things above apply to you — and statistically speaking, they don’t — then the honest question is: what’s actually in the way?

Sometimes it’s just not knowing where to look. ESC opportunities are listed on the European Youth Portal, but the interface can feel overwhelming at first. That’s exactly why we built Youth Works Hub — to make the listings easier to browse, understand, and act on.

Sometimes it’s timing. ESC placements run throughout the year, and the application windows vary by project. The best approach is to start looking now, save the ones that interest you, and apply as soon as an open call goes live. Don’t wait until you feel “ready” — the programme is designed to meet you where you are.