I have always dreamt of going to numerous volunteering events. Not because of any specific personal gain, but because I've always loved helping people. I’d give my all just to make a person happy. Any person, really. My friend, my relative, my neighbour, or even a stranger. And when I discovered that I could do it and get a certificate for it, I was all in.

It all started in late autumn, when a classmate asked if I wanted to join the Christmas Fair volunteering event from our city with her. I said yes after many questions about the event. I then asked my parents about it. Slowly but surely, this first-time volunteering event started sparking a flame in me. A new passion.

After that, I aimed for the big fish. The international theater festival. It was a big risk as I had no experience whatsoever, but I had to take it. It was a dream come true: I was finally of age to be able to participate and I had permission from my parents. So I filled in the form.

2 months later, I got an email saying that I had been accepted. That is when my new passion became a weekly hobby.

I started going to more and more volunteering events. Now, as I am waiting for the international theatre festival to begin, I am reviewing all that I have learned in my volunteering practice.

For you to be a certified volunteer, you must go to practice sessions before the event, about five months prior. Each session is about communicating and about the responsibilities that we have.

The last session: Emergency situations. Image: Professional photographer for the FITS festival.

M. C. a volunteer at the International Theatre Festival from Sibiu explains that “going to the sessions is a bit stressful as you have to take an exam to see if you can become an actual volunteer or not. Thankfully, I passed and I cant wait for it to begin.”

Every session you get the chance to learn something new. After approximately 5 sessions, you get assigned a date when the entry exam will be taken. It's a short test with 10 questions about topics discussed during the sessions and the history of the festival. After you pass that exam, you get to choose the department you wish to be in.

In the end, all you have to do is sign some papers and you will be a new member of the volunteering community.

In conclusion, volunteering is a great way to start your social work life. It's unique and it definitely prepares you for the future. Also, the International Theatre Festival from Sibiu is one of the greatest volunteering events in my city and for sure one that gives the most experience.