ELSA NAUTSCH

I remember signing up for my first session as a delegate solemnly because a friend made me do it and not really knowing if I would even like it. Now, something over ten sessions later and countless hours spent with EYP-related work and so many great friends and great experiences I am glad my friend made me apply.

It has been an intense year. It started of with me being given the opportunity to Head-Organise a regional session in Bern together with my Co-HO Lucy Hoffmann. I don’t think I ever learned as much as I did during these months, from leading a group of young people to being responsible for organising venues, accommodation and food for about 100 people together with that team and getting all the money needed for that together. Although we had some bumps along the way I am extremely proud of what we achieved.

I also was part of the organising team at the NSC Basel 2022. I am still truly amazed by all the people involved in the organising process and what was pulled off by us despite having less time than usual for the session. I met a lot of amazing people that I can’t wait to see what they contribute to EYP CH in the next year.

Apart from my involvement within EYP CH I also went abroad for EYP sessions several times this year. This is an experience I can only recommend so much to every new EYPer out there that haven’t experienced it. It has made me love our organisation even more than before, because I met so many great people, learned a lot about Europe and made some of my favourite memories ever.

But in the end, this year has thought me two important lessons. For one, despite loving this organisation, breaks are sometimes extremely needed and also important. After an intense first half of the year, I decided to take a roughly 5-month break from EYP and it paid off so much. Not only has it given me the opportunity to process all the impressions I have had in the months before.

It also has made me realise that EYP is not only something I like doing in the moment and, so to say, for the thrill of it, but also an organisation that I truly value and want to contribute to.

The second lesson is that there will always be people that want to help you and care about you. Most of my closest friends so far I have met in EYP and they keep adding so much to my life. But I also worked together with so many amazing young individuals in this organisation, that despite doing it voluntarily and not knowing each other all too well, stood up and lent a hand or offered a hug whenever needed.

So thank you to everyone who shared this EYP year with me.