Chef Aleks – was the nickname of our Russian volunteer Aleks, who spent his ESC year in Nagyvázsony from August 2024 to August 2025.
Aleks is 23 years old and comes from Barnaul, Russia (like Sasha). He has a degree in cooking and enjoys it very much, as well as reading, traveling, and learning new languages.
The year of Aleks’ kitchen reign was truly delicious. We had countless cook-together sessions at the youth hostel in Nagyvázsony. The only real question is: why Nagyvázsony and not Le Cordon Bleu?
Why I Chose to Volunteer Abroad
-Why did you decide to become a volunteer?
I accidentally heard about the European Solidarity Corps volunteering opportunity online. From that moment on, I began researching it in more detail and became eager to take part in such a program.
-Why Hungary—and why Nagyvázsony?
What was important to me wasn’t so much the country itself, but rather an interesting project and its conditions. The one that suited me best was Fekete Sereg. As for the village, for me this was the best opportunity to really get to know the country—its culture, everyday life, and traditions.
Finding the Right ESC Project
-How did you find our organisation and project?
I found the organisation in the general register of accredited volunteer organisations on the European Solidarity Corps website.
-What attracted you to the project?
I spoke with volunteer Lena over Zoom, who told me all about the project, the conditions, and her general impressions of local life and the country. All of this inspired me even more and made me realise I had found the best option possible.
Application and First Contact
-Do you remember what was in your motivation letter?
I wrote about how interested I was in the project, what ideas I could bring to it, and that I wanted to learn more about Hungary.
-How did the first communication go?
After speaking with Lena, I also contacted Rita. We began actively gathering documents for my Schengen visa. Our interaction was very active and engaging. Even then, I felt a great deal of support from the organisation.
I was in constant contact with Rita and Lena. They helped me with any questions I had about collecting documents. We also worked closely with my sending organisation. Together, we resolved all issues related to visas, medical insurance, and tickets. I didn’t have the opportunity to buy a bus ticket remotely within Europe, so the hosting organisation bought it for me.
First Impressions After Arrival
-How did the village and the project meet your expectations?
Upon arrival in Budapest and then in Veszprém, I was met by volunteers from our group (Lena, Fiona, and Melanie). They showed me the city, the shops, the village, and our organisation. My arrival also happened to be on a weekend, so I had time to explore the area on my own.
On Monday, I visited our youth center and met Rita. The entire immersion into the environment and work happened calmly and gradually. It was enjoyable and helped me acclimate quickly. The village itself is beautiful and charming. It has everything you need for a comfortable stay (there’s even a bank branch, where I later opened a bank account and got a card).
Life as an ESC Volunteer
-Did you have ESC trainings?
Yes, I had two trainings: one in Budapest and one in Visegrád. Each lasted one week—one in October and one in February. Both trainings were very active, productive, fun, and memorable. I also met many people from different countries there.
-What did your daily work look like?
I participated in all the local festivals and events, mostly as a cook 🙂 This is a skill I wanted to develop during the project. Each time, I learned more about traditional local cuisine and interacted with interesting people.
Until February, I also went to the after-school program in the village of Somlóvásárhely, where I helped children with their English homework. During regular days, I visited the Youth Center, where I spent time with local Hungarian young people or worked with Lena on creating something for Fekete Sereg Instagram.
The Most Memorable Moments
I have so many pleasant memories of the village and my time there that it’s hard to focus on anything specific. Of course, I remember everything I experienced with my friends very warmly: all the interesting projects and the preparations for them.
Every day was a new discovery—about local life, a new Hungarian word, a local habit or joke, or history. We traveled a lot and had fun, both during work and in our free time. During my volunteer year, we became a real close-knit team: Lena, Anna, Louis, and me. Rita always supported us, both at work and beyond. I really miss those warm times.
Challenges and Growth
I found it easy to adapt to the local climate, pursue work that genuinely interested me, make new friends, travel, and adjust to daily life—such as learning the local currency exchange rate, eating and cooking local food, and making time for my hobbies. What I found more challenging was beginning to understand Hungarian, which largely depends on motivation, and adjusting to European store opening hours, especially closures on holidays.
How Volunteering Shaped my Future
I’ve definitely grown this year. I’ve been in situations I had never experienced before, and they made me a more mature and experienced person. I’ve learned to be even more independent and creative, and I’ve become more proactive.
I’m no longer afraid of meeting new people, even if they speak a different language. These experiences helped me understand myself better and discover new paths in life that I hadn’t considered before. Now I’m back in my home country working in a restaurant, but in the future I plan to travel again and explore the world.
Would You Recommend a Long-Term ESC?
YES! This will definitely be one of the best years of your young life.
What was your favourite thing to do in Hungary Nagyvázsony?
Going to the forest or the lake, riding my bike, seeing my friends, taking photos and recording videos, hearing this unique language, and trying to understand at least something 🙂
Anything else you want to tell? 🙂
You will dream of Kinizsi at least once.
👉 Interested in becoming a volunteer in Nagyvázsony?
Check out our Padlet page for the latest updates and open calls.