By Anna Kharlanova 

ESC volunteering with Märchenkoffer e.V. / Sprachhelden in Hannover was a very dynamic and rewarding six-month experience. As part of a bilingual Russian-German children’s centre, no two days were the same. Each day involved creative activities and close interaction with children and families from diverse linguistic backgrounds. 

My role included supporting a wide range of activities focused on language development and community building. I worked with children in interactive workshops, helped run holiday programmes such as coding camps using Scratch and Pixels, and supported after-school sessions that combined play, storytelling, and bilingual learning. 

One of the highlights of my placement was helping to organise a city-wide family quest — a scavenger-hunt-style activity that brought children and parents together to explore history, culture, and the city of Hannover. We also took part in family activity days, conversation activities, and creative projects. 

Board games, music, books, and group activities were part of the daily routine, creating natural opportunities for children to practice languages, build confidence, and communicate in a relaxed and supportive environment. A strong focus on multilingualism allowed children to use their home languages freely, supporting language preservation and cultural identity. 

As part of the ESC programme, I also participated in two intensive seminars organised by the German National Agency, which focused on intercultural learning, personal development, and reflection on the volunteering experience. These seminars provided valuable space to exchange experiences with volunteers from different countries and better understand the broader social and educational context of ESC projects. 

Volunteering in Hannover also allowed time to travel and explore the region on weekends, which added to the overall experience. 

ESC volunteering is a unique opportunity for personal growth, learning new skills, and gaining insight into how people live, communicate, and see the world in another culture and language. I would recommend it to anyone looking for meaningful international volunteering experience.