Here I am, more than 9,000 km from my native island of Reunion, immersed in the heart of Finnish nature, in a summer house that I’m sharing with nine flatmates from Spain, Portugal, Ukraine, Luxembourg, Turkey and Italy. For over a month, we’ve been building a small community, working together as a team, cooking together and enjoying our meal together.

Three Weeks, Countless Moments

For three weeks, we took part in camps for young people aged 7 to 16. Each week brought its share of new faces, varied activities and unexpected moments. Volunteer and responsible for the children, I experienced these camps with as much joy as they did.

My favourite? The Restaurant Camp: culinary competition with a mystery box, gourmet barbecues, mixology classes… a week full of flavour and creativity!

Thanks to the Hobby Horse Camp, I discovered a real passion of Finnish children: an original sporting discipline, full of energy and imagination.

These camps gave me the chance to learn just as much as the young people. Through my tasks, I learnt how to put up and take down a tent, how to light a fire indoors and out, and above all how to appreciate the pleasures of the great outdoors.

Among all these wonderful memories, one in particular stands out and will remain in my heart forever: learning to ride a bike. I never thought I’d learn this skill in Finland, and yet… In just a few hours, thanks to the patience of one of my flatmates, I learnt to pedal, overcame my fear and discovered Kokkola through its cycle paths. The bike became my ally, giving me a freedom I can’t describe in words.

I also had my first fishing experience, accompanied by May, a gentle and patient guide. Together, we caught my first fish and cooked them on the barbecue that evening. It was a moment of calm, nature and simplicity.

Overcoming My Fears – On Water and Wheels

David, one of the support person, helped me to overcome two major challenges: learning to steer a canoe and to ride a mountain bike, despite my fears. He guided me patiently, without ever rushing me. During an outing with the children, he led us through a forest on narrow wooden slats. Terrified, I refused… but he challenged me. And I succeeded. Without that push, I would never have known I could do it.

What made this experience so precious was above all the human relationships. Caring, open-minded people who taught me as much as the children.

Even with the language barrier, a connection was naturally created. English was the only language we shared, but some of the children speaking only Swedish or Finnish, we had to invent another way of communicating. And that’s where non-verbal communication came into its own: gestures, looks, expressions… These exchanges showed me that you can create a bond without words, with sincerity and spontaneity. An outstretched hand, a shared smile, gestures that transformed our linguistic differences into real complicity.

As someone who tends to be introverted and solitary, I could never have imagined the extent to which this first immersion in such a large group would enable me to rethink my vision of the collective. I learnt that life in a group doesn’t prevent moments of inner peace, that you can share powerful moments with others while remaining true to your need for solitude. It was a great lesson in the art of living with others while preserving your own space.

If, like me, you want to get involved in this voluntary service to make your contribution to a project… let me tell you, you’ll leave with so much more. Memories that will stay with you forever, unexpected skills, and profound life lessons.

This kind of adventure transforms you, reveals you, and enriches you far beyond the professional sphere. If you’re reluctant to take the plunge because you’re shy, introverted or a loner… give it a try. You’ll be surprised at what you’re capable of.