Volunteering in 3 different places

Petra became part of 3 volunteering initiative while she was studying at AAU.

“Being in a project called International Network of Green Agents taught me a lot about Aalborg and what sustainable initiatives are happening in the city. They gave me the opportunity to work with passionate and amazing people who tought me how to be dedicated to a field and how to work tirelessly on solving sustainable issues that seem without a solution. They basically taught me not to give up and that any problem has a solution.”

Besides being part a Green Agent, Petra also joined Young Professionals in Denmark programme, in which she had the opportunity to expand her network and improve her job search skills.

Lastly, she started volunteering at AIESEC. Here, she learnt how to work more closely with others, while at the same time developing a stronger sense of her own abilities.

 

"Volunteering taught me a lot of things"

"I had not experienced working with so many international people before volunteering there. I also learned that people are different but that the human-ness in us is what helps us connect and understand each other. We are the same because we are human, no matter from what part of the world we come from."

"I learned to be patient with people, and I learned that people have different reasons for behaving in specific ways and that I need to always find ways to communicate with people in order to be connected. I learned that people give you so much and you can also learn about yourself and be more self-conscious by helping people and solving something with other people. Also, I learned that putting the effort into solving a problem is always worth it."

"Self-development and being self-conscious made more sense when I was connected with other people and when I worked with them. I also think I developed a lot of my social skills while being there with internationals and learning about other cultures, other ways of living and understanding the world.”

Even though her volunteer experience were not related to her academic field, Petra points out the valuable skills she gained;