Hello,

My name is Matej Ljubičić. I am 25 years old and come from Bosnia and Herzegovina, from a city called Jajce, which is a fabulous place to visit because it is the only city in the world with a waterfall located in the middle of the city itself.

The reason I came to Klagenfurt is that I enjoy taking part in organizational and community groups. Even before this experience, I already had volunteering experience, as I took part in the Weltwärts program in the Federal Republic of Germany.

I arrived in Klagenfurt on 7 April and stayed until 30 May. When I arrived, a volunteer named Antonio from Spain picked me up from the central railway station and took me to the apartment. Since the building is located in the very center of the city, we quickly took a tour around Domplatz, where I spent much of my free time during the service.

IniciativAngola, the organization through which I became an intermediary volunteer, truly proved itself through the opportunity to volunteer with Naturfreunde. My volunteering service with Naturfreunde was as exciting as it could be. Most of the time, I spent traveling from place to place because of public events and festivals. I mostly worked with children in organized climbing classes.

I also visited many small places around Lake Wörthersee. They were so peaceful and relaxing that I came to see them as a sanctuary for the mind - a place where one can rest and regain enthusiasm. Spending time in Klagenfurt was really nice. I truly loved it because the city is not crowded and feels peaceful almost all the time.

Overall, everything I experienced felt like a small mysterious box full of discoveries. It helped me become more connected to my surroundings and to the people around me, whose warmth and spirit are something truly worth sharing.

During these two months of service, I discovered myself as a traveler and as a person who values environmental and cultural awareness. I spent a lot of time surrounded by children, which helped me become more sociable, environmentally aware, and organizationally active.

Overall, what I experienced is that finding oneself in nature really allows a person to breathe and feel peaceful — walking through the woods in groups around Klopeiner See, reaching panoramic viewpoints, and listening to the sounds of birds.

The feeling of going home is emotional and filled with mixed feelings.