Volunteer Interview: Lorraine Besnier

Lorraine Besnier is originally from France. She moved to the Netherlands at 19 to come study here. Early on in her life in the Hague she found the Volunteer The Hague platform to get more involved in the community. Life is a little busier now than it was then, but she still tries to find some time to get involved in cool projects like a French Taaldorp at a Dutch High school that she applied for through the VTH website.

Which organisation do you volunteer for? What is their mission?

The ‘Taaldorp’ or ‘language village’ at the Veurs lyceum is a French speaking assignment where students rotate between stalls which all recreate authentic situations that students might encounter in France (for instance a shop, a restaurant, a coffee chat with a friend etc). All stalls are held by French speakers, which helps put the students skills into practice. Together with the students' French teacher, volunteers assign a grade for this oral exam.

 Photo credit: Karin Majoor, Veurs Lyceum

What volunteer role do you have and what tasks do you perform?

I volunteered at the Taaldrop this year and plan to go again next year. There, I held one of the stalls and assessed the student’s French speaking skills. I have been involved in different organisations in the past and always keep my eyes open for other opportunities where I can be helpful. I particularly enjoy working with education and with animals. 

What were your goals when you started volunteering for them? 

At first, I wanted to get involved in the community of the Hague and expand my network. Now I look for opportunities where I can give back some of my time and skills while having some genuine connections with people.  

What do you currently enjoy about volunteering?

I enjoy meeting new people who are passionate about their projects and discovering all the wonderful things happening in the city. It’s inspiring to see how many people are working to make a positive difference in their communities. During the Taaldorp, I particularly enjoyed connecting with my fellow volunteers, learning their stories and their motivations, as well as with the student who was assisting me in assessing the exercise. 

What do you find challenging?

For me, the biggest challenge is finding the time. It can be difficult to fit volunteering into an already busy schedule and there are so many interesting projects and causes I would like to get involved with, but I also have to be realistic about what I can commit to. 

I’ve learnt that volunteering doesn’t necessarily have to mean making a huge commitment. Finding an opportunity that fits into my life allows me to keep contributing without taking on more than I can manage. 

What is typical of your own culture (values, mindset) that you bring to your volunteer role? 

Being French gives me the opportunity to share not only my language but also a little of the culture behind it. I enjoy being able to help bring the language to life and give students a chance to use what they have learnt in a practical setting. I think activities like Taaldorp are a lovely reminder that learning a language is also a way to discover another culture and connect with people.

Anything that pleasantly surprised you about how things are done by your Dutch colleagues or recipients of your volunteer services?

How easy it was once you look for it. There are so many things happening around the city and the country, and always a place for extra helping hands.  

Have you ever learnt something from volunteering that became useful for your studies or paid work? 

I work in education, so I value any opportunity to get close to the classroom and learn how education colleagues take on the challenges of teaching, learning and assessing. 

Photo credit: Lorraine Besnier

What piece of advice would you give to people who are considering volunteering?

My advice would be to start small. You don’t need to commit to volunteering every week or devote huge amounts of time to make a difference. Even a few hours spent helping with a project can be valuable, both for the organisation and for you.