Anni’s experience as an ESC volunteer at Oasi LIPU Massaciuccoli

After seven and a half months, I have already reached the end of this amazing experience, made possible by the community in Massaciuccoli.

When I initially applied, I had just finished school and wanted to take a break from studying before going to university. I wanted to use that time to meet new people and learn more about other cultures and lifestyles, while also finding time to relax a bit and recharge. Where could be a better place to do that than in a nature reserve by a village no one pronounces correctly unless you have been in the area?

My main expectations were to meet nice people and to have an overall nice time, but with the amazing community there, those expectations were far exceeded. We often got to spend our free time with other volunteers around the area, who showed us around and spent a lot of time with us, welcoming us into their midst and integrating us into basically every activity.

Furthermore, there was a wide range of activities for our working hours, so we never got bored. The activities ranged from daily chores like cooking and cleaning, to maintenance, to monitoring and caring for birds, to interacting with tourists. Moreover, we learned to ride a boat with an electric motor and got to enjoy sunsets on the lake together. I also learned to speak Italian and how to care for injured birds. Additionally, I would say that I’m a more open person now, since it became easier for me to engage with new people and I became way calmer in big social settings.

In total, it is an amazing project because of the community there. There is always someone to talk to if there are any problems, and they get fixed immediately. Furthermore, people are always open to ideas to improve the place.

Overall, I definitely recommend this experience to people who enjoy being in nature and being part of a big international community.