Ani

Three years after returning from Romania, the author looks back with deep gratitude on ten unforgettable months spent volunteering through the European Solidarity Corps. Although the decision to leave home was difficult at first, it became a life-changing experience filled with love, learning, and human connection. During the project, they worked with children, taught Armenian culture, volunteered in a hospital as a future doctor, helped open a youth center, took part in trainings, wrote a fairy tale published in six languages, and were part of an award-winning project. Above all, they discovered the true meaning of kindness, philanthropy, and cultural acceptance. The author expresses heartfelt thanks to their family, coordinator, mentor, language teacher, and host families, and concludes that, given the chance, they would choose volunteering again—because goodness always prevails.

Hello! I’m Ani, from Armenia, from sunshine city Kapan. I’m 19.  I’m a student at Yerevan State Medical University. I want to become a neurosurgeon. I like to read, play piano, dance, and cook. 

About me:

For me, volunteering is the best way to show humanity and be humanitarian. I like to do something good because when you’re doing a good thing, you’re changing the world and environment around you.

I started to do volunteering in my city when I was 15. Then I volunteered in ‘The Aurora forum’,  ‘Sevan startup summit’, ‘Kapan American corner’, and ‘Festival for youth in Kapan’.  

Now I’m here, and I think that it is the best time for me to improve my skills, become confident and independent, and do the best for those who need it.

Being surrounded by generous and kind people I’m feeling happy here and I like what I’m doing.

Children are making me find new things and improve my knowledge about everything. I like to  stay in front of the children and see their smiling eyes. They are sharing lots of love, hugs, and knowledge with me.