Inspiring story
Finding community and skills through volunteering
Inspiring story
Finding community and skills through volunteering
About Anastasiia Horliukova
Nationality: Ukrainian
Age: 24 years old
Education: International Relations at AAU in Aalborg
Semester: 4th semester
Volunteering at: Ukraine-Danish Youth House and Aarhus Student House
Getting started with volunteering
Upon arriving in Denmark, Anastasiia sought ways to stay engaged with her community while expanding her network.
"I started volunteering because I wished to help my country and stay connected to my roots, but also because I wanted to meet new people from my community and become a part of something bigger."
Her first volunteering experience was at the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House, where she contributed to cultural and political initiatives aimed at strengthening connections between Ukrainians and Danes. Later on, she also joined the Student House in Aarhus, a move driven by the need to build a social network in a new city.
"I just moved here, and all my old friends and classmates are elsewhere. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and integrate into the local community."
The benefits of volunteering
For Anastasiia, volunteering has been more than just giving back – it has provided valuable skills and experiences:
It’s not just about helping others. It also helps you grow. It strengthens your communication skills, teaches you teamwork, and gives you experience.
She highlights that volunteering is an excellent way for students to develop professional competencies while making a difference. Beyond professional growth, the social aspect of volunteering has been incredibly rewarding:
"When you’re writing your thesis and spending a lot of time alone, it’s refreshing to socialise with other students and to build meaningful connections."
Finding the right volunteering opportunity
For students considering volunteering, she emphasises that the process is easy – especially at the start of a new semester.
"Universities organise student fairs where different organisations present their work. That’s how I found most of my volunteering opportunities – just by walking around and talking to people at these events."
She also reassures students who might be hesitant:
It’s not a lifetime commitment. If you try it and don’t enjoy it, you can simply stop. But at least you’ll have given it a chance.
3 reasons to try out volunteering
- 1
It’s great for your CV
Employers appreciate candidates who are engaged in extracurricular activities and have hands-on experience beyond academics.
- 2
It helps build a social network
Especially for international students, volunteering is an excellent way to meet people and feel more at home in a new country.
- 3
You can always try and step back if needed
Volunteering isn’t a rigid commitment; you can explore different opportunities without pressure.