Arts Lab 6.0: Salma ElGendy - Month 7

I cannot believe we have reached the end. It’s crazy how time flies.

Honestly, it’s hard to find the right words to describe this experience—it’s been so many things all at once. Scary, exciting, frustrating, enlightening, exhausting, rewarding. It had the good and the bad, the happy and the sad—and at the end of it all, it was so worth it.

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Over these 7 months, I experienced things I probably never would have in my entire life, and it’s been transformative. 

I would say that the most valuable lessons I’ve learned are probably a mix of both personal and professional. Professionally, I’d say learning how to use art to work with such a wide range of individuals—especially young people with diverse needs—has been the highlight of this experience. Personally, I’ve discovered a lot about myself just by seeing how I exist and interact with both people and situations in a completely new environment. I think the real impact of those discoveries will become even clearer as I move forward in life.

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I can probably hands-down say that my most favorite moment during the project is working with clay, it has felt nothing short of magical. After being away from it for years, I had been desperately yearning to return. Creating again, turning ideas into tangible reality… that’s when I feel most alive. And I was so deeply grateful to feel that spark again.

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When I look back at the whole experience, it feels like a tangled bundle of emotions. I’ve gone through all sorts of feelings, but if I had to name the first few that come up, they’d probably be:

Warmth – for the people I’ve met,

Exhaustion – from the amount of work,

Gratefulness – for the opportunity to live it all. 

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If there’s one thing I wish I had known at the beginning of the project, it’s probably Romanian :D That would have definitely been a game changer throughout the project. It would have really made a lot of things easier.

Maybe also how to better keep teenagers entertained and engaged in activities :’)

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Overall, I would totally recommend the project to other people, I actually already have. Yes, it comes with so many difficulties and challenges, but I believe that the final outcome and growth you walk away with from such an experience is far bigger than the tough moments. Getting to contribute something you’re passionate about is such a privilege, and I think everyone should try at least once if they can.

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I always knew I wanted to try volunteering and I feel like this experience solidified that desire and made me want to get even more involved in youthwork. While I am not sure exactly how to stay involved, I am already applying to other volunteering opportunities while brainstorming how I can keep using art to engage communities and help young people explore their creativity.

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This whole journey has been one wild roller coaster ride. There were definitely moments of stress, frustration, and burnout. But at the same time, I’ve met the most wonderful humans, shared space with brilliant artists, and found ways to leave a mark in a place far from home.

I’m incredibly grateful for this experience—from the deepest parts of my heart.

I’ve learned and felt so much. If I managed to leave behind even a small trace of warmth or support—through my words, my art, or even my baking—then this journey has been a success.

7 out of 7 done. 

Arts Lab 6.0, out.

Report written by Salma ElGendy, she's from Egypt and she's one of the 14 volunteers participating in Arts Lab 6.0, a project co-funded by the European Union through the European Solidarity Corps program.