One of the most beautiful things we’ve noticed over the years is that many of our ESC volunteers don’t come to Nagyvázsony just once. They return. Again and again.
Recently, we became curious: what makes people come back to Nagyvázsony after their very first project?
So we asked a few returning volunteers to share their stories.
Their answers reminded us why these projects matter so much.
Roulyan: “The town is small, but the hearts are big”
Roulyan first visited Nagyvázsony in 2023, arriving in a village covered in snow. Despite the cold, something felt immediately familiar.
“The atmosphere remained the same. I loved the people, the programs, and being surrounded by these wonderful people.”
“The town is so small, but the hearts are so big. I will be back in 2026, 2027, and 2028.”
He especially loved the idea of cleaning the village by collecting bottles for cash-back. Even though the cold wasn’t his favourite part, it didn’t stop him from planning ahead.
For us, that kind of commitment says everything.
Rocío: “Coming back is always like returning to a little home”
Rocío’s first time in Nagyvázsony was as a young volunteer on an archaeological excavation, just after coming of age. It was her first experience of its kind — exciting, unfamiliar, and full of possibility.
“I arrived full of excitement, but also with that wonderful thrill of the unknown.”
From the very beginning, she felt welcomed and supported.
“I felt very loved, and that gave me a lot of self-confidence.”
In a very small village, Rocío formed friendships that have lasted for years — friendships that crossed borders. People visited each other’s countries, met families, stayed in touch, and even exchanged gifts and Christmas cards.
“That says a lot about the special bond that was created.”
As a philosophy student, Rocío found the volunteer work deeply meaningful. She learned about history, improved her English, and gained confidence thanks to the patience and warmth of the people around her.
“I wasn’t very good at English at first, but thanks to the support I received, I gained a lot of confidence.”
She returned because the experience was so powerful that she wanted to relive it — and even brought friends from her home country so they could experience it too.
“It gives me enormous pleasure to expand cultures, build bridges between people, and see how something that started in a small town can grow to become part of so many lives.”
For Rocío, Nagyvázsony became more than a project site.
“It left me with unforgettable memories, lasting friendships, and a self-confidence that I still have today. That’s why coming back is always like returning to a little home.”
“I want to give special thanks to Rita and her entire team for their interest and enormous effort in making projects like this possible and helping them continue to grow. Thanks to people like her, valuable opportunities are created for young people that can change lives.”
Hubert: “My first experience was crazy — I loved it”
Hubert first came to Nagyvázsony in September 2024 for an excavation project. What he loved most was meeting people who shared the same interests.
“I really like meeting other people interested in the same thing as me, and participating in projects — especially excavation.”
“My first experience was crazy. I loved it, so I wanted to come back.”
For Hubert, the excavation felt like a rare opportunity — something he might never get to do again — and that made returning even more meaningful.
More Than a Project
These stories remind us that volunteering is about much more than the work itself. It’s about connection, shared experiences, mutual support, and the feeling of belonging — even if only for a short time.
👉 Interested in becoming a volunteer in Nagyvázsony?
Check out our Padlet page for the latest updates and open calls.