In all honesty, I never thought I would be living such an experience the moment I clicked on the small “apply” button just three months ago. I could count the weeks I have been with Badminton Europe on the fingers of one hand and yet, I have learnt and experienced so much in such a short period of time.

I have already taken part in two Erasmus+ programmes and had heard fantastic things about the European Solidarity Youth Corps. I browsed their webpage out of curiosity and saw many different types of volunteering positions, but one caught my eye and that was Badminton Europe’s. 

I was working as a content producer and editorial assistant, but I wanted to develop my skills in the field of communication. The fact that I could do so and that it would be learning in the world of badminton sounded like a great choice. Badminton Europe emphasised their willingness to keep on being an inclusive sport for everyone no matter who you are and where you are from. This sounded like something that resonated with values I would love to support.

The process was smooth since the website was easy to use and Badminton Europe made it also uncomplicated, with first an interview and then, upon being selected, all the tedious paperwork process started. Still, all parties were extremely helpful in guiding me through it and I also got to talk with my sender organisation, ‘Yes Europa’, who provided me with a pre-departure training session so I could embark on my new adventure with no hassle. 

The first thing I did whenever I moved to a country on my Erasmus+ programme stays was to explore my new city. I would just hit the town without even unpacking my suitcases, filled with excitement. This time would be different though, as I would have to quarantine for four days before starting my new life. I watched the snowfall from my window and felt like a kid who was grounded at home.

Luckily for me, I tested negative and so was allowed to carry on as normal, or rather start my adventure. Due to the restrictions in Denmark, I would just be allowed to attend the office once or twice a week, and only with those in my department. This would also mean that I would only meet my other colleagues through video meetings, but I kept a positive outlook on how soon we would all be able to go back to the office.

Prior to writing articles, I first needed to get used to all the tools the communication team used. From posting and scheduling on social media to learning how to navigate our website, there was a lot to take in. I also had to start learning player names and remembering their faces, so I got some tips from my colleagues on what sites to check to get all the useful information. I even wrote to some players to ask for quotes right from my second week which was a bit intimidating at first, but seeing the answers coming in and the players taking the time was a great feeling.

We will all be able to start working from the office next week. I believe this will be highly positive for me not just in what concerns the social aspect of working surrounded by people and not alone in my living room, but also to get to know what my fellow colleagues do at Badminton Europe and what role they play in improving and spreading the message of our sport in Europe.

Even before getting to Denmark — and I would even dare to said it was also mentioned in the interview — I heard about how big of a deal the European Championships would be and honestly, it was crazy indeed but in a good way. Nothing could prepare me for what was to come. 

We started strong just a couple of weeks before the event kicked off, writing articles of all sorts in the lead up to the championships. One of my main focus was working on specific players which allowed me the chance to get to know more about them and their badminton careers. On Instagram, I also browsed our homepage for what the players posted before picking one photo to repost. In this way, I got to know not just the players’ rankings and what medals they had, but I would also get a glimpse into their everyday lives.

While the whole Communication team went to Kyiv, I stayed in Copenhagen to support them from home. It was definitely a few hectic days for them onsite. I on the other hand would be sitting in the peace of my home or at the quiet office, but it also got busy really quickly.

Let me tell you, watching those matches with gripping moments while trying to not get absorbed by them, writing the most relevant things of what I was seeing, transcribing quotes from the post-match interviews my colleagues were doing, and then transforming everything into an article is no easy task — or at least for someone like me who is just getting started in this world.

Still, despite the stress of settling down in a new country and workplace while dealing with something as huge as the European Championships, it has been a fantastic month at Badminton Europe which has made me even more excited than I was about what is to come in the upcoming months. If I have already learnt so much in just four weeks from my colleagues and players, I cannot imagine what it will be like in three months’ time, let alone in a whole year. I can’t wait to see what the world of European badminton has in store for me.