Through the Seasons in Rzeszów: Discoveries, Inner Journeys, and Bonds of Friendship

Hello! My name is Sihem, and I’m from Normandy in the northwest of France. I used to work as a librarian in the beautiful city of Rouen, but I decided to hit pause on my career to pursue a long-held dream: volunteering abroad.

That dream brought me to Poland, where I’m spending 11 months as a participant in the European Voluntary Service. I had been looking for a chance to support a meaningful cause, improve my English, and immerse myself in a new culture, and this opportunity ticked all the boxes.

I applied to INPRO because the position combined two of my passions: photography and social media. It was the perfect chance to both contribute to a cause and sharpen my skills in an area I love.

To be honest, I didn’t know much about Poland before arriving. But to my surprise and joy, this experience has turned out to be the best chapter of my life so far. Poland is a wonderful country, and Rzeszów is full of energy, creativity, and constant cultural, social, and artistic events. You can’t help but fall in love with the atmosphere… there’s always something happening here!

My Role at INPRO

My volunteer experience at INPRO revolved around two key weekly events that shaped our routine and gave real meaning to our mission.

The first was Monday Story, which ran during the second part of the school year (until January 2025). It was a unique event where participants had the chance to present their home countries and share meaningful moments of intercultural exchange.

The second highlight was Open Café, held at Urban Lab. This event is a cornerstone for INPRO, where volunteers lead workshops and host open discussions for everyone. The goal? To bring people together and build a strong, welcoming community around the organisation.

My main responsibility was managing INPRO’s social media presence. I created reels, stories, and posts, documenting our daily activities through photos and videos, a fantastic opportunity to grow my skills in digital content creation.

I also took part in school visits and other workshops, where I met inspiring people from all walks of life. Through these experiences, I not only strengthened my skills in communication and marketing but also saw a huge improvement in my English, a real advantage for both daily life and my future career.

Highlights

I experienced unforgettable moments: a trip to the mountains of Zakopane, discovering Armenia and Ukraine, celebrating my 30th birthday here in Poland surrounded by my new friends, and all the times shared with other volunteers at the apartment… It was intense and incredible!

Challenges?

At first, the language barrier seemed intimidating, but it quickly faded. Thanks to everyone’s open-mindedness and my own motivation to learn, I made steady progress in English.
Polish, on the other hand… that’s still a work in progress! But the warmth and kindness of Polish people made communication much easier, even when words were missing.

What This Volunteering Experience Gave Me

Beyond improving my English, I even began learning Armenian.  a language I’ve started to explore thanks to the incredible Armenian people I met during my time here.
Those encounters sparked a deep appreciation for Armenian culture, which led me to create an Instagram page dedicated to promoting it, a project that’s become very close to my heart.

But above all, this experience gave me something even more valuable: confidence. It helped me reconnect with myself and reflect on what I truly want for the future.

Meeting people from different backgrounds opened my eyes to new perspectives, ways of thinking, and ways of living, a true wealth that teaches us how to live together more thoughtfully.

If the idea of volunteering abroad is growing inside you, listen to it. It’s not just about travel. It’s about personal growth, shared experiences, and unforgettable connections. I wholeheartedly wish you the same joy and transformation this journey brought me.

“Boujou” ! Kiss from Normandy

Sihem