This year, I had the opportunity to spend my volunteering project at Brenderup Højskole in Denmark. When I first arrived, I was excited but also a little unsure about what my everyday life would look like. I knew that I would be helping at the school, but I quickly discovered that there would be many different things for me to learn and take part in.
My volunteering was a mix of administrative work, creativity, communication and being part of the everyday life at the school. Because of this variety, no two days were exactly the same.
The process – what I did
A big part of my volunteering was working at the school office. I helped with different administrative tasks and supported the people working there with whatever needed to be done. Sometimes this meant helping organise things, communicating information or assisting with practical tasks behind the scenes.
Although office work might sound simple, I learned that there are many small things that need to happen for a school to function smoothly. I became more comfortable taking responsibility, asking questions when I was unsure and finding solutions instead of waiting for someone else to tell me exactly what to do.
Another important part of my project was helping students with creative activities and projects. I really enjoyed this because it gave me the opportunity to combine my own interests with my volunteering. I helped students develop their ideas and supported them when they wanted to create something. It was especially rewarding to see an idea start as a simple thought and then become an actual project.
Photography and video editing were also a big part of my work. I took photos around the school and during different activities and events, and I worked on editing videos afterwards. Through this, I could document the atmosphere and everyday life at Brenderup Højskole. It also gave me the chance to be creative while producing something that could actually be used by the school.
During the summer, I also helped with the summer bar. This was a completely different experience from working in the office. It meant being around people, communicating with others, working as part of a team and making sure everything ran smoothly. The summer bar was also a great way to experience the social side of the school and get to know more people.
The result and implementation
Looking back, I think the most important result of my project was that I became a useful part of the school community. My work was not just about completing individual tasks. I was able to support different parts of school life, whether that was helping in the office, assisting students with creative ideas, documenting activities through photos and videos, or helping at the summer bar.
The photos and videos I created helped capture moments from life at the school and preserve memories of different activities and events. Helping students with their creative projects also allowed me to contribute to their ideas and encourage them to experiment and create.
At the same time, working in the office and helping with practical tasks taught me how much teamwork happens behind the scenes. Even small tasks can make a difference when everyone contributes.
One thing I particularly appreciated was that I was trusted with different responsibilities. I was not always given a strict list of things to do. Instead, I often had to look around, see what needed to be done and take initiative. This made me feel that I was genuinely contributing rather than simply completing a volunteering assignment.
What I learned
This experience taught me much more than I expected. One of the biggest things I learned was how important it is to be flexible. My tasks could change from one day to another, so I had to be open to trying new things and adapting to different situations.
I also became more confident in taking initiative. At the beginning, I sometimes worried about whether I was doing something correctly. Over time, I learned that it is okay to ask questions, make mistakes and learn along the way.
Working with students also taught me a lot about communication. Everyone has different ideas, personalities and ways of working, and I learned how important it is to listen and understand what someone wants before trying to help them.
My creative work taught me new things about photography and video editing, but more importantly, it showed me how creativity can be used as a way of communicating and connecting with other people.
And perhaps most importantly, I learned that volunteering is not only about what you give to others. It is also about what you receive from the experience. I came to Brenderup Højskole to contribute, but I am leaving with new skills, new perspectives, memories and connections with people I would probably never have met otherwise.
My time at Brenderup Højskole has been a valuable part of my year. From the quiet moments working in the office to helping students with creative projects, taking photos and editing videos, and the busy summer days at the bar, every part of the experience taught me something different.
I am grateful that I got the opportunity to be part of the Brenderup Højskole community, and I will definitely carry what I learned from this experience with me into whatever comes next.
Halloween Party at the school
ESC Solidarity Projects 