European Voluntary Service Case Studies

Tobias Kauer
Austrian
2017-2018 One year placement

'I feel really excited! I hope to meet a lot of new interesting people from all over the world, improve my Spanish, get a lot of experience in film-making and explore the beauty of the Canary islands.'
I coordinated the Creative Media work and my personal brief included the following:
  • Digital Photo Book
  • Filming - Documentary Films & Shorts
  • Photography
  • Marketing
  • Branding
  • Graphics
  • Content for Induction Pack
Nioise Higgins
Irish  
2017-2018  One year placement

'This is a great adventure for me! I feel inspired, full of energy and optimism and looking forward to learning a great deal. I would like  to try as many new things as i can,  including new food, a new language, new experiences and new activities. I want to inspire the people that will visit us throughout the year.  I will be co-ordinating Tenerife’ eco-tourism projects and affecting tourism events in Dublin, Helsinki, Birmingham and Utrecht.'
​I coordinated all volunteer activities on the island. Responsibilities as Eco Tourism Coordinator:
  • Web content
  • Activity Coordinator
  • Promotion of Tenerife eco-tourism opportunities through events across Europe
  • Developing tourist ‘giving back’ day to promote to tour operators
  • Street theatre workshops to promote conservation issues through the ‘Dolphin Gang’ 
  • Presentations in hotels
  • Children’s conservation workshops 
Seanagh Carton
Irish 
​2017-2018  one year placement

'For me, this is a once in a Lifetime experience- thrilling, extraordinary, ambitious and courageous all at the same time. It will really bring the best out of me and I am looking forward to working with animals and managing the volunteers coming through on our animal projects.'
My responsibilities included:
  • Coordinating all volunteer activity with animal based hands-on experience
  • Introducing more healthy eating habits through veganism
  • Developing induction sessions
  • Therapy programmes based around depression, special needs, mentally disadvantaged etc
  • Coordinating with activity providers through a variety of medium- music, art, dolphin, animal etc.
  • Documentary film making on animal abuse
  • Canarian cooking
Alex Gunn
English
2017-2018  One year placement

'I am truly excited by this opportunity and am looking forward to enjoying thoroughly the experience
I hope to gain a lot through helping out this year, with all things from correct data collection to running the programme. I expect to learn a new language to a high level and have a new understanding of the work it takes to organise a volunteering programme. I also expect to have an amazing time in a different country and make new lifelong friends.'
I coordinated research and social media work and helped build our network of cetacean projects across the Atlantic Oceans. Responsibilities:
  • AOCN - Development & Implementation
  • Research
  • Supervised team
  • Linked with incoming volunteers
  • ECS Networking
  • Social Media
  • Presented AWdF programs in hotels
  • Promotions through talks in UK schools