This month, our H.A.N.D. project volunteers embarked on an exciting journey to Tuzla, a city rich in history and community spirit. This wasn’t just an ordinary trip, it wasn’t just a touristic trip, it was a study visit designed to connect volunteers with local organizations, explore new perspectives, and deepen their understanding of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s culture.
Why are study visits important for international volunteers?
Study visits like this one play a huge role in volunteering projects, especially projects like H.A.N.D. As mentioned they’re not just about traveling; they’re about learning, sharing, and growing.
During the visit, volunteers met local organizations like Prijateljice, Revolt, and Agora. These meetings gave them insights into how local groups address challenges like youth engagement, political activism, and peace-building.
Volunteers didn’t just listen, but they also actively participated and shared their own experiences and ideas from TRCs in Sarajevo, Elderly Centre “Centar za zdravo starenje” and so on. Apart from the visit traveling to a new city means experiencing its culture, even tho Bosnia and Herzegovina is a small country, many different cultures, customs and religions are living here, so the best place to develop cultural dialogue skills is Bosnia and Herzegovina, and our volunteers took advantage of this, our volunteers interacted with locals, tasted regional food, and learned about Tuzla’s history. They visited memorials and learned about the country’s recent past, which helped them understand the importance of civil society in rebuilding and maintaining stability. Our volunteers spent time together, sharing stories, laughing, and supporting one another, which is of upmost priority, because all volunteers are working together as a team. These shared experiences created stronger connections within the group.
Exploring Bosnia and Herzegovina
This study visit was also a chance to explore and appreciate the host country. “Bosnia and Herzegovina is a land of incredible beauty and history”, as our volunteer Leila said. From the vibrant streets of Tuzla to its peaceful memorial sites, every moment offered something to learn and cherish.
“Meeting locals in Tuzla gave me a better understanding of Bosnian customs and traditions, and I actually didn’t know that Poland and Bosnia are so similar”, as Anna said. They are noted how warm and welcoming the people were and how important it is to respect and understand local cultures. This kind of learning goes beyond books, and its something that you can’t learn through formal education, it’s about experiencing life firsthand.
The Power of Connection
One of the most powerful moments, that volunteers are underlining was seeing how local organizations work tirelessly to create positive change. Groups like Prijateljice, which organizes camps for teenagers from different ethnic backgrounds, showed how civil society can foster peace and understanding. For our volunteers, this was more than inspiring, as after this trip, they made a presentation for other volunteers that were not able to join the study visit. They realized that every small action they take contributes to something much bigger.
Moving Forward
The Tuzla study visit was just the beginning. It gave our volunteers fresh ideas, new skills, and a deeper connection to their mission. They’re already looking forward to more study visits in the future, exploring other cities and continuing to learn from local communities.
Final Thoughts
Study visits remind us that volunteering isn’t just about giving, but it’s about growing as well. Our volunteers open doors to new experiences, new friendships, and new ways of thinking. For our H.A.N.D. volunteers, the trip to Tuzla wasn’t just a journey, it was a step toward understanding Bosnia and world better, one conversation and one connection at a time.
If you ever get the chance to join a study visit, grab it. “It’s not just a trip it’s an adventure that can change the way you see the world”, our volunteer Khaoula says – so make the world wonder.