A new international volunteer, Toni has recently joined Face Club through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme. Over the coming months you will be able to meet him right in the club and at our activities. To help you get to know him better, here are his own words about where he comes from, why he came to Slovakia and what he is looking forward to here.
Who I am and where I come from
Hi! My name is Toni, I am 21 years old and I come from a very small island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea called Menorca, in Spain. I love basketball and really enjoy listening to music. I do outdoor activities, go to the gym, write and read. I like animals and at home I have a very cute grey cat called Nena.
Menorca is a very small island, the easternmost part of Spain, with about 100,000 inhabitants. I live in the small town of Sant Lluís, which has a similar population to Spišská Belá. We have a Mediterranean climate – very hot summers and mild, slightly chilly winters. There is plenty of sun and high humidity all year round. I live only three minutes from the beach, so I spend a lot of time there – whether swimming or admiring the beautiful nature.
Why I decided to come to Slovakia
In April 2025 I decided to study to become a youth worker, and part of the course was a compulsory placement. I did it at the youth centre in Sant Lluís during a summer school. I really enjoyed preparing different activities and working with young people from my town. That is where I learned about the European Solidarity Corps programme and about this volunteering opportunity.
I chose Slovakia because I was enchanted by its beautiful nature, which is completely different from the one I grew up in. I also saw it as a challenge – learning Slovak and getting to know people from a place so far from my home. I decided to go to Spišská Belá because I really liked the organisation's project, and when I spoke to the team I felt that I belonged there and that I wanted to work with them. The proximity of the High Tatras was a bonus, since I love hiking.
My first impressions of Slovakia and Spišská Belá
Honestly, I didn't know much about Slovakia – only that it used to be part of Czechoslovakia and that Slovak is spoken here. The weather surprised me. I didn't expect it to be a warm country, but I definitely didn't expect Spišská Belá to have constant below-zero temperatures and snow everywhere.
Slovakia's geography surprised me a lot too. I had no idea there were so many mountains here and that they are so high. But what amazed me most was that you can see the mountains right from the town and that there is a lake right next to it. It is really very beautiful.
I arrived in the middle of winter, so my first impression was that everything here is white and full of snow. The town has very pretty houses and buildings, especially the churches, and also a beautiful natural lake. All the people I have met so far have been very kind and hospitable. The team at Face Club welcomed me very warmly.
Cultural differences I noticed
The first difference is the daily schedule. In Spain we have lunch around 2:00 – 3:00 pm and dinner only around 9:30 – 10:30 pm. The way of greeting is interesting too – at home it is common to greet each other with two kisses or a hug, whereas in Slovakia contact is much more formal.
I was also very surprised that people in Slovakia take off their shoes as soon as they enter a house. In my first days I walked into a room in my shoes instead of slippers. Now I follow the custom, and I actually really like it – the floor is cleaner.
My role at Face Club and what I am looking forward to
My role is youth work. Together with my colleagues I prepare the club's space and daily activities, and then help to carry them out.
I haven't had time to discover much yet, but I can say that the High Tatras are my favourite place so far. My favourite moment of the day is arriving at Face Club. Even when nobody is there yet, I feel a very positive energy from the place.
I am looking forward to working with young people, building relationships, meeting new people and experiencing Slovakia to the fullest.
A message to finish
If you have made it this far, I want to thank you for taking the time to read about me. I hope I will make lots of new friendships and unforgettable memories here. I look forward to meeting you at Face Club!
