My name is Tetiana Pavlova, I am 22 years old, and I come from Kharkiv, Ukraine. I love engaging in various forms of art: drawing, film, photography, knitting… I am very creative, and this is one of the reasons that prompted me to try volunteering at Sunce.
Have you had any ESC experience before Sunce?
No, this is my first time with ESC, but I have worked with other organizations.
What motivated you to come to Split and Sunce? Why did you choose to come here?
I heard about Split from a friend who told me I had to visit it because it is very beautiful, and then I saw the ad for Sunce. It was a perfect match! I chose Sunce because I have wanted to work in the field of ecology for a long time, and here I had the opportunity to work and progress in my areas of interest, which are art and design. In Ukraine, we don’t have the option to separate waste; you really have to make an effort if you want to separate waste, and I don’t like that because I care about the environment and I want to contribute to a better future.
How do you like the working atmosphere and programs at Sunce? What do you like the most?
I really enjoy working there. The location is great – every time I work, I enjoy the most beautiful view. Colleagues are very friendly and communicative, but sometimes it can be crowded, so it is harder to concentrate on work. I like that we always have new projects and workshops, so it’s never boring. Sometimes I am in the office, and sometimes I participate in outdoor activities – it is never routine. My favorite activities are the clean-up actions, especially beach clean-ups.
What do you like the most and the least about Split?
Nature is definitely at the top of the list – I mean, the sea surrounded by mountains, wow! The architecture in the old part of the city is really cool. I love the “polako” and “pomalo” mentality. I need that now in my life, and it’s actually one of the reasons I am here. What I don’t like is the conservatism of some people, but I try to avoid that by surrounding myself with people who suit me. Also, I notice that people here don’t care enough about the environment, and I think that mass tourism influences that the most. And I don’t like that people smoke in cafes, restaurants, and clubs.
How do you like the lifestyle in Split?
I like it for the most of the time, but I think people can sometimes be reserved, which can make it harder to approach new people and make friends, especially in clubs.
What do you do in your free time? Have you discovered any new hobbies?
Here, I discovered that I really like tennis. Sometimes I go to various art workshops such as screen printing on clothes at Club Kocka, where I also like to go out on weekends occasionally. I also design posters and event announcements for them.
What do you miss the most from your homeland?
My parents, of course, but besides that, I really miss my gouache paints and materials, which I couldn’t bring here, and they are too expensive to buy them again. I also miss the food from Ukraine.
Do you think you could permanently move here?
That is a really tough question. Right now, I really like it here and I am starting to feel like this is my second home, but I think, for now, I wouldn’t be ready to move here permanently.
Do you have any advice for new volunteers?
Just be flexible, open, and go with the flow. If you like strict rules and organization, this might not be for you. Don’t be discouraged if things don’t go as you planned because you will certainly encounter problems. However, it’s all part of your growth, and volunteering is a great opportunity for personal development and progress. Also, be aware of your skills and strengths and learn how you can use them in different situations. And most importantly, have fun!
The project “Solidarity for Green Dalmatia 2023” is funded by the European Union through the European Solidarity Corps program. Learn more about the European Solidarity Corps program here.
