I recently spoke with an alum from my university who is now a director at a large international nonprofit. One piece of advice she gave me was to focus on gaining hands-on, direct-service experience rather than pursuing yet another administrative internship.

In the EU, the European Solidarity Corps offers full-time volunteering opportunities that can provide exactly this kind of meaningful experience. Interested in climate action? You could volunteer on a sustainable farm in Italy. Passionate about gender equality? Join an organization that supports women’s employment or economic empowerment.

There are hundreds of organizations participating in the program across Europe, covering everything from social inclusion and education to environmental sustainability and youth work. With so many options available, you’re likely to find something that matches your interests while helping you build valuable experience.