How Volunteering Opened the Door to Lifelong Learning

When people think about volunteering, they usually think about giving back to the community. Some do it to gain experience, others simply want to be part of something meaningful. I was no different. When I signed up as a volunteer, I wasn't expecting rewards, career opportunities, or anything beyond the experience itself.

Looking back, that simple decision became the starting point of a journey I could never have planned.

It Started in Jakarta

In 2018, Indonesia hosted the 18th Asian Games Jakarta–Palembang, one of the largest sporting events ever held in the country. I was fortunate to be selected as a Venue Volunteer at the Aquatic Centre, Gelora Bung Karno.

For nearly two weeks, my daily shift ran from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., supporting the venue throughout the competition. There wasn't a fixed assignment. Depending on operational needs, I could be welcoming spectators at the entrance gates, directing visitors to their seating sections, or helping manage the flow of people inside the venue.

Although the responsibilities were straightforward, the environment was unlike anything I had experienced before. Thousands of spectators, athletes, officials, and volunteers all shared the same space, and keeping everything running smoothly required constant communication and teamwork.

When the Games came to an end, I returned to my normal routine believing that I had simply completed one of the most memorable volunteer experiences of my life.

I didn't realize it was only the beginning.

Saying Yes Again

A few months later, I came across another volunteer opportunity—this time for the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

Unlike my previous experience, this was an international event held in another country. Applying meant stepping far outside my comfort zone. Everything felt bigger: a different culture, different people, and a completely unfamiliar environment.

When I received the acceptance email, I was excited, but I also had plenty of questions.

Would I fit in?

Would I be able to communicate well enough?

Would I be able to contribute in an international event?

The only way to find out was to go.

More Than Just Another Event

The Special Olympics World Games was different from any sporting event I had experienced before.

It wasn't only about competition. It was about inclusion, respect, and creating opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to perform on the world stage.

Working alongside volunteers from different countries gave me a new perspective. Despite our different languages and backgrounds, everyone shared the same objective: helping the event run successfully.

That experience reminded me that teamwork doesn't depend on speaking the same language perfectly. It depends on having the same purpose.

When the event ended, I packed my bags, returned home, and thought the journey was over.

Again, I was wrong.

The Email I Almost Ignored

Several months later, an email appeared in my inbox from the Abu Dhabi School of Government.

At first glance, it looked like another newsletter. I almost skipped it.

Fortunately, I opened it.

The email explained that, as part of the Emirati Marshals volunteer community, I had been granted complimentary access to Coursera.

I read it twice.

Not because I didn't understand it.

Because I genuinely wasn't expecting it.

When I applied to become a volunteer, free access to one of the world's largest online learning platforms had never crossed my mind.

A Different Kind of Reward

Most people expect volunteering to leave them with memories, friendships, and perhaps a certificate.

For me, it also opened the door to continuous learning.

After activating my Coursera account, I started exploring courses that matched both my curiosity and my career goals.

Some of the learning paths that caught my attention included:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Python Programming
• Data Analytics
• Cloud Computing
• Project Management
• Leadership
• Software Engineering
• Communication Skills
• Prompt Engineering for Generative AI

Some courses helped me directly in my work. Others simply broadened the way I think about solving problems.

More importantly, they reminded me that learning doesn't have to stop after university or depend entirely on employer-sponsored training.

Sometimes, all it takes is access—and the willingness to keep learning.

Looking Back

When I think about both volunteering experiences today, I rarely remember the long shifts or the hours spent standing inside the venue.

Instead, I remember the doors they quietly opened.

The Asian Games gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities beyond my own country.

The Special Olympics World Games introduced me to an international volunteer community.

And somewhere along that journey, an unexpected email encouraged me to keep learning long after the closing ceremony had ended.

None of those outcomes appeared on the volunteer application form.

Yet they became some of the most meaningful parts of the experience.

One Small Decision

People often ask how opportunities happen.

Looking back, I don't think they usually arrive all at once.

They build on top of one another.

Applying for the Asian Games led me to Abu Dhabi.

Volunteering in Abu Dhabi introduced me to Emirati Marshals.

Joining that community eventually led me to Coursera.

And the habit of continuous learning has stayed with me ever since.

If there's one lesson I've taken from this journey, it's this:

You don't always need to know where an opportunity will lead. Sometimes, saying "yes" is enough to begin a journey that unfolds in ways you never expected.