My Encounter with Inclusive Education: Through the Eyes of an ESC Volunteer

When I first arrived in Sofia, I did not realize i was not only moving from one country to another, but also from one perspective to another. As a European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteer working in an art therapy-focused school, I came to understand that inclusive education is not just a concept - it is a lived reality.

What Does Inclusion Really Mean?

I had previously volunteered with many children, but here, in this classroom, I was working with a child on the autism spectrum while also trying to support another student struggling with reading. Meanwhile, I noticed the eyes of a student who did not speak any English -- eyes silently saying, 'I am falling behind.' That is when i realized that inclusive education is not just a theory; it is an essential practice.

Every Child Has the Right to Learn

Inclusive education does not mean expecting every student to learn the same way. It means supporting each one on their individual journey. One of the most valuable lessons I learned here was that focusing on a child's potential, not their limitations, makes all the difference. When my student with ADHD and I managed to learn just a few English words each day, the spark in his eyes reminded me exactly why I was there.

Small Steps, Big Changes

Some days we learned just one word. Some days, we simply sat and drew pictures. But I always felt that something was shifting in that classroom. Because Inclusive education is sometimes just about being there, listening patiently, or offering an alternative path.

Teaching Is Learning

This experience did not just teach me about different learning styles, it taught me about my own limits. Patience, empathy, flexibility... Perhaps these human qualities are what make inclusion possible. Sometimes it is not a pedagogical method, but a smile or a hand on a shoulder that makes the real difference.

Education is Beautiful When It is for Everyone

Inclusive education is not about equality, it is about equity. Children sitting side by side in the same classroom may not need the same resources but they all deserve support tailored to their individual needs. And as an ESC volunteer, I saw firsthand: when education is accessible for all, the world becomes a more hopeful place.