Christina's workplace for the 10 months of her Voluntary Social Year was the Caritas Day Center. It's easy to find facts and figures about the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ). But how did former FSJ participants actually experience their social year? What moved them, what did they doubt, what made them happy? Christina H. is one of the former volunteers who shares her experiences with us.

Matura, what now? What does my future look like afterwards? I asked myself these questions exactly two years ago. While everyone was talking about their dream studies and jobs that they were planning to start after school, I was haphazardly searching for the right course of study for me, but couldn't find anything. Instead, I came across the FSJ Salzburg website on the advice of my mother and was immediately interested. After a short period of consideration, I sent in my application and was invited to an interview in Salzburg. After a morning of discussions, information, presentations and interviews, I was recommended to the Caritas Day Center Mittersill, a creative workshop for people with disabilities. Even though I didn't see myself in this area at first, after the trial day at this facility at the latest, I knew that I wanted to spend the 10 months of my voluntary social year here.

On October 3, 2016, the time had come: my FSJ started with a five-day seminar in Eben in Salzburg. Although I was still a stranger to all the faces at the beginning, friendships developed on the first day and we discovered many similarities and interests. We were divided into small groups, we got to know each other even better and we were introduced to the various professional areas through self-awareness and personal development, specialist introductions and group games. After the first seminar, I started at the Caritas day center and received a very friendly welcome. I quickly got used to the work and got to know new things every day and also got to know the clients better every day.

Ten unforgettable months

My activities were very varied and ranged from care and hygiene to helping with creative work (for example, holding a paintbrush together) and helping in the kitchen. Various excursions (for example a relaxing day at the spa or walks in the village) were also on the program. Regular discussions with my boss as well as team meetings and supervisions accompanied me throughout the year. Regardless of the ups and downs, my colleagues always stood by my side and made 10 unforgettable months possible.

Time flew by and the second and third seminar weeks in January and April were over before they had even begun. We were again accompanied through the two weeks with expert guidance, supervision, self-awareness and personal development and also had the opportunity to take part in workshops on first aid, self-defense and many other exciting topics. The exchange with the other FSJ participants and individual discussions about the placement were also extremely exciting and helpful. In the last seminar at the end of June, we held our final seminar together, reflected on our year and made plans for the future. It was also time to say goodbye to the institution and embark on a new path, which I finally found through my voluntary social year.

My new path

I am currently studying education in Graz and would like to study psychology, for which I will be applying again this summer. The FSJ made me realize that I want to work with people and help them in difficult situations, which is why I chose this path. In general, I have gained a lot of experience from this year and have also learned a lot about myself. I would recommend the FSJ to anyone after leaving school, as it helps you to undergo an important maturing process that allows you to look at many situations in life from a different perspective.

We would like to thank the FSJ - Voluntary Social Year and Christina for the opportunity to publish this report! The photos were taken by the FSJ and Christina.