Two countries. Two worlds. One story. Mine.
My name is Olha Oltarzhevska, I am from Kyiv, Ukraine, and two months ago I started my volunteering at Fundació Catalunya Voluntària. I write texts, create pictures for social networks, proofread and edit materials. Basically, anything that makes my eyes burn and gets the job done with a high level of enthusiasm.
Until now, I was educated in Denmark, so today, I would like to share my thoughts on what I like about these two countries and what advantages, as a Ukrainian, I first encounter when living in them.
Denmark pros:
- There is a high level of security. You need not fear walking the city streets at night with a phone in your hand. Here, you can leave a baby stroller on the street without a locker, and no one will take it away.
- Everyone knows English. Once in a Danish village I was lucky enough to chat with a local grandmother (90+ years old) and I was stunned at how perfect her English was.
- The environment is beautiful, and there are so many parks. My favorite park in the city of Odense was Munke Mose, where I lay on the lawn every weekend, read books, and got my dose of copywriting inspiration. There is plenty of greenery, lakes, and an emphasis on healthy living.
- No stray animals. My soul wasn’t torn apart by someone whining under the window about the rain and wanting to eat.
- Outdoor advertising and few signs are controlled. There is no information noise, and the number of posters, advertisements, and banners is regulated so as not to disturb the urban landscape and its aesthetics.
Now… Let’s transfer to the south, where the sun burns not only the skin, but also the heart. Let’s move on to the advantages of Spain:
- Kind and open people who let you into their community without any problems and a great atmosphere. You will always be helped, supported, explained. And even if your dialog lasts only 3 minutes, you will get at least 5 compliments. If you learn 2 words in Spanish, you will be idolized. It really motivates me to try and learn Spanish with more enthusiasm. Probably because the “carrot” method works better on me than the “stick” method of education. In addition, I am inspired by the mild Mediterranean climate. There are about 300 days of sunshine a year, winters are warm and summers are hot but not debilitating.
- First-class food. Everything is fresh, natural, and full of flavor. There is a huge selection of produce. There are no cucumbers in plastic, no moldy tomatoes, and no stale potatoes in a cellophane bag. From shrimp and bread to mangoes, olives, and avocados, the produce is truly insanely delicious.
- Structured, consistent, accountable, people-oriented. We seem to be talking about a “country with a perpetual siesta”. But no. Public transportation arrives on time and trains never arrive late because “it started raining”. Calling a public service doesn’t involve hanging on the line for hours hoping to get a doctor’s appointment. Police officers help from start to finish with filing reports and worry about your problem as if it were their own (and by the way, the police officers here are very nice). And I got my TIE just a month after I applied for it. That’s the paradox of Spain: relaxation combined with fantastic punctuality.
- There is a rich cultural life. There are no “contrived information occasions” here. The country really has something to be proud of, and there is a real buzz of life here. Rich in heritage, it is the perfect place for startups, concerts of world-famous stars, movie premieres, international hubs, and unique museums. And for those who love meditation and solitude, there are mountains and the sea.
I’ll admit, sometimes you need to see the contrast between two countries to realize what your soul wants: different worlds and feelings. Only in Spain, doing my volunteering, do I feel alive and useful, and I know 100% that I am in the right place and at the right time.
I am sure that one day you will find your happiness somewhere between north and south.
And me? I’ve already made my choice. And it smells like the Mediterranean and freedom. It smells like Spain.
