From strangers to a family: life as an ESC volunteer at Fryshuset

Imagine moving in with people you’ve never met, from places you’ve never been, to volunteer in a country you mostly know from Instagram. Now throw in snow, language mix-ups, and enough cinnamon buns to build a small house.

That’s more or less what happened to the ESC (European Solidarity Corps) volunteers at Fryshuset, and somehow, it worked. They arrived with their bags full of dreams, and ended up turning this strange, beautiful corner of the world into something that felt like home.

Welcome to their world: full of growth, awkward moments, and stories worth sharing.

 Arturo, Spain

Arturo came to Sweden with no clear idea of what Fryshuset was, and even less idea of how cold winter could really get. But he was up for an adventure: to grow, help others, and maybe figure out what makes Sweden so…Swedish.

Spoiler: it involves sugar.

“Fryshuset has been a great surprise” he said. “They do an incredible job supporting and empowering young people in Sweden and around the world.”

From the moment he arrived, he felt a sense of warmth and coziness (not quite like what he found outside the walls of the building). Coming from Spain, the Swedish weather was… confusing. “Summer here feels like a cool spring, which is great! But winter? It’s darker and colder than I ever imagined.”

Thankfully, he had fika to warm things up. “It’s not just a coffee break. It’s a ritual here. You can tell Swedes love sweets just by walking into a supermarket and seeing entire aisles dedicated to candy.” But behind the cinnamon buns and snow, Arturo discovered something even sweeter: a new community, a new family.

Would he do it all again? Absolutely.

In three words? “Challenging but fun.”

Anastasiiа, Ukraine

For Anastasiia, volunteering wasn’t just a break from the ordinary, it was a conscious decision to do something meaningful: “I wanted to work with youth-oriented social projects that truly make a difference” she said. Fryshuset caught her eye because of its strong focus on inclusion and talent development. In other words: a place where people grow, together.

And that’s exactly what she found. A space that values empathy just as much as action.

“Volunteering here means being part of a supportive community where everyone’s talents are valued and nurtured. You can be your authentic self while contributing to something bigger.”

She also found herself drawn to the rhythm of Swedish life. “The calm, polite atmosphere. People really know how to slow down and enjoy the simple things.”

Her biggest takeaway though, isn’t something she can put in a suitcase, it’s something she carries within: “every person’s talent matters. Any dream, whether yours or someone else’s, can come true. I’ve learned that by being supportive and open, you can be the reason someone else’s wish becomes reality.”

Her advice to future volunteers?: “Be open to meeting new people and trying new experiences. Be ready to embrace change and accept the unexpected. Keep your heart and mind open to all the opportunities and challenges that come your way.”

Carolina, Portugal

Carolina’s journey started with a simple dream: to live abroad and grow. Sweden wasn’t a random choice, as during a previous stay in Copenhagen she had already fallen for the Nordic way of life. Still, nothing could have prepared her for how much this adventure would have exceeded her expectations.

One small moment, in particular, always makes her smile: “one odd thing for someone from Portugal is people taking off their shoes in the gym and leaving them at the entrance! I have to admit, I’ve now joined the training-in-socks club.” It might seem like a tiny detail, but it captured something bigger: how the little surprises of everyday life slowly turned into routines, and how unfamiliar things started to feel like home.

For Carolina, being at volunteer at Fryshuset wasn’t just an adventure, it was a turning point. “It helped me grow into someone more prepared for working life, and more adaptable in general.” And as she looks ahead, her thoughts are clear: “This experience actually made me think about moving to Sweden for good. I’ll carry everything I’ve learned with me forever.”

And if she had to sum it all up in just three words? “Independence, growth, unforgettable.”

Eleonora, Italy

Eleonora already had a soft spot for Sweden as well. After a previous internship in the country, she knew she wanted to come back, and when she found Fryshuset’s ESC opportunity, it felt like everything aligned: “it matched my passions, interests, and university studies. I didn’t want to lose this chance.”

Therefore, she moved to Sweden at the end of March, just in time to see the cherry trees in full bloom at Kungsträdgården and breathe in the smell of semlor, the typical end-of-winter pastries: “I had missed wandering the streets of Stockholm and getting lost in the old town.”

Fryshuset was a great discovery to her: “I immediately fell in love with the cozy and open-minded atmosphere of the place. I loved how friendly and understanding everyone was from the very beginning.”

And while, during these months, her website and social media management skills improved a lot, the most powerful growth happened inside: “this experience made me realize how much you can evolve when you go beyond your confort zone. I discovered parts of myself I never knew existed, and I will be forever grateful for this chapter of my life.”

In three words? “Challenging, Rewarding, Fun.“

Through their eyes: a gallery of moments

Photos don’t just capture faces, they freeze emotions. Each of our volunteers chose a single image that, for them, represented the heart of their ESC journey.

Arturo’s Photo:

“Without hesitation, the most valuable thing I got from volunteering is the amazing people I met on the way. That’s why I chose this pic.” 

Anastasiia’s Photo:

“I love our group photos, especially this one from our super funny and nice midsommar together”

Carolina’s Photo:

“This photo captures the essence of my journey: finding myself, meeting incredible people, and feeling genuinely happy.”

Eleonora’s Photo:

“This photo says it all to me:  joy, freedom, friendship, and the kind of lightness you only feel when you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.”

Endings that feel like beginnings

Volunteering at Fryshuset through ESC is more than a chapter, it’s a turning point. For each of these young people, Sweden was a mirror, a map, and a launchpad. Yes, there were dark winters and strange habits, but there was also discovery of self, of others, and of what’s possible when you say “yes”.

So, to those considering their own ESC journey: don’t hesitate. Your version of this story is waiting to be written!

Get to know more about ESC

The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is an EU program that gives young people the chance to volunteer, learn, and build solidarity across borders. At Fryshuset, ESC has been part of the story for eight years, with 20 volunteers this year: 14 from Sweden and 6 from abroad. Read more here

Text: Eleonora Ventura