Iceland Through Dominik's Eyes: Five Months That Felt Like a Dream
Dominik strávil päť mesiacov na Islande ako dobrovoľník programu Európsky zbor solidarity v organizácii SEEDS Iceland, kde pôsobil ako Photography Camp Coordinator. Počas svojho pobytu získal množstvo nových skúseností, spoznal ľudí z celého sveta a objavil krajinu, ktorá ho očarila svojou jedinečnou prírodou, kultúrou aj životným štýlom.
Here is how Dominik describes his volunteering experience:
"The opportunity to go to Iceland doesn't come every day. This dream destination often seems inaccessible or too far away, but thanks to the SEEDS Iceland project and the European Solidarity Corps, my dream came true.
I worked as a long-term volunteer and Photography Camp Coordinator. For five months, I met new people every week who were enthusiastic about learning photography and discovering more about the environment. Surrounded by volunteers from different parts of Europe, I experienced new traditions, cultures, and cuisines, while also having the opportunity to share my own knowledge with people who were discovering their passion.
Time passes differently in Iceland. You spend three months there, but it feels like only two weeks. Every day brings something new, every week introduces new people, and every month there are three more hours of daylight. At the beginning of the year, I was working in the dark, and now I almost fall asleep while the sun is still shining.
At SEEDS, I truly felt at home. We spent most of our time together. Whether it was Oscar, our coordinator, the office staff, or the rest of the volunteers, I never felt any hierarchy between us. It felt like a safe place—a space where I could grow personally, face unique challenges, and always count on the support of the people around me.
The greatest thing I'm taking home from Iceland is not only the photographs of its breathtaking landscapes. I'm taking home dozens of friendships and contacts from all over the world, unforgettable memories with amazing people, and photographs of nature that you simply can't find anywhere else.
Those five months passed in the blink of an eye. Every month felt like just one week. Ten days in a camp felt like only three. And the moment I returned home, the whole experience felt like an unforgettable dream."
For Dominik, the European Solidarity Corps volunteering project was an opportunity to step outside his comfort zone, develop his photography, communication, and organizational skills, discover a new country, and become part of an international community united by volunteering, environmental protection, and intercultural learning.
We would like to thank Dominik for being an excellent ambassador of CONNECTUS during his volunteering experience in Iceland. We wish him every success in his future adventures and hope this experience will stay with him for a lifetime.
This project was supported by the European Solidarity Corps programme.
