Céléna’s Testimonial | ESC in Italy With Cooperativa One

Hi, I’m Céléna, I’m from France, and before joining this project I had just finished my Bachelor’s degree. I decided to take some time to have an experience abroad before continuing my studies. I wanted to discover a new country and culture, learn Italian, meet new people and, above all, get out of my comfort zone. Before arriving in Crotone, I expected this experience to help me become more independent and more open to others. I also wanted to improve my Italian enough to communicate with local people. Looking back, I think these expectations were met. After several months in Italy, I’ve become much more comfortable speaking Italian in everyday situations, and I’ve gained confidence in myself!

During the project, I took part in many different activities. I worked at the hostel, where I helped with breakfast, check-ins and check-outs, welcoming guests, stock management and other daily tasks. I also worked on social media and tourism promotion, creating and editing videos about Crotone, the hostel and places to visit. I took part in the MOVE UP project, cultural activities, workshops and social initiatives, such as helping to distribute food to people in need. I also had the opportunity to teach English and French and to prepare some language activities myself.

One of the most important things I learned was how to adapt to a new environment. Living abroad for several months taught me to be more independent, to communicate with people from different backgrounds and to deal with situations outside my usual comfort zone. I was able to learn more about another culture, and that’s what I find really interesting.

Overall, this project was a very positive experience. Of course, there were also difficult moments, but they were part of the experience and helped me grow. My favourite memories are often the simplest ones, especially cooking and eating with the other volunteers, talking about our days and spending time together.

I would recommend this experience to other young people, especially those who want to discover another culture, learn a language, meet new people and challenge themselves. It’s a great opportunity to learn about another country, but also about yourself.