Volunteering Stories: Life in Baia Mare – by Sam

A life can change in a second. For me, it was the moment I accepted the opportunity to volunteer in Romania, specifically in Baia Mare, one of the nordest cities of the country in the Maramures region.

It’s not a place full of things to do, but it’s rich in opportunities and people to meet. That’s how life can change: new places, new food, new people with different behaviors. And I couldn’t be happier than I am now.

I’m Samuele Manea, a 22-year-old guy from Veneto, Italy. I’ve lived all my life in a small village near the mountains, and now I’m a volunteer here in Romania. I don’t really have specific passions or hobbies, I prefer to live in the moment, say yes to opportunities, and not fear the things I don’t understand. I love helping people as much as I can and being a friend to everyone, no matter the language they speak or the color of their skin.

Currently, I’m living in an apartment in the city center with five people who speak different languages. So, we speak only English. We also follow different religions, which helps me understand how life can be so different in places that seem just a few steps apart on the world map. That’s a small part of my story and what I believe in. I hope you enjoy my blog and even more, I hope it inspires you to write your own, based on your experience. 😉

I chose to become a volunteer because my dream is to see the world, meet new people, and breathe a different air than the one I’ve known all my life in Italy. This is the opportunity of a lifetime… the beginning of my dream.

I believe everyone should experience something like this, to truly understand what life is like outside of the comfort zone. Especially to see the world through the eyes of someone you’ve never met, maybe someone who hasn’t been as lucky as you.

It’s not impossible to change the world. You can start with small things, whether in big or small organizations. For me, I chose T4UTH, and I’m so glad I did.

This is a big city, full of green spaces and surrounded by mountains, with hiking spots and lakes: A heaven for nature lovers.

The city is divided into different areas, each with its own identity: the historical center, the area where I live (full of tall buildings), and many more… But there’s one thing I really need to say: I come from Italy, a country known for its beautiful view; but here in Romania, I found the kindest people I’ve ever met in my life.

In the past month and a half, since I arrived here by FlixBus, I’ve met people who are generous, enthusiastic, and always ready to lend a hand, or simply have fun together. I’m talking about the people in the organization (my coordinator and roommates), other volunteers from different countries, and the Romanian locals I’ve met (from the children I help every week with their homework to the elderly people at the bus stop, from high school students to the friends I’ve made on Saturday nights at the bar).

Voluntarul activează în proiectul Year 4 (cod 2024-1-RO01-ESC51-VTJ-000199420), un proiect implementat de Asociația Team for Youth în comunitatea locală pe durata unui an, cu sprijin financiar din partea Comisiei Europene prin Corpul European de Solidaritate. Opiniile exprimate în acest articol sunt cele ale autorului și nu reflectă neapărat poziția Comisiei Europene.

The volunteer is active within the Year 4 project (code 2024-1-RO01-ESC51-VTJ-000199420), a project implemented by Team for Youth Association in the local community for one year with financial support from the European Commission through the European Solidarity Corps. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Commission.