ESC Team 2025 at Ostello Monte Barro in Italy | Carlos, Javier, Leonie and Sara Share Their Experience!

Ciao tutti! Living isolated in the mountain is a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and also with yourself. And that’s how I felt this month in Monte Barro. I did tons of activities I really enjoyed, I did hiking in the mountain so many times, I met amazing people from all over Europe and I even pet some baby goats!  Sometimes in life you find things that you are not really looking for. For me, in this project in Monte Barro I found a new life style that fulfills me. Sustainability, healthy life, stimulating social environment, discovery of new passions… I’m sure that this month that I spent in the mountain will be present forever in my life. And I’m so thankful for it.

Javier’s Testimonial

On March 10th, 2025, I landed in Italy with a suitcase full of excitement, uncertainty, and a Tarta de Santiago. I was about to begin a volunteer experience at the Eco Ostello Parco Monte Barro, thanks to the Joint and Legambiente associations. One month later, that same suitcase returns with me to Spain, now filled with lessons learned, good memories, and pistachio cream. Looking back, when people ask me about this project, I can sum it up as a true dream. A golden opportunity where every day brought something different: building barriers to protect the toad colony, sanding and painting the hostel’s ecological area, carrying out various maintenance tasks, attending engaging workshops, diving into yoga or skateboarding, testing our courage with mountain climbing, unleashing our creativity through painting or paper recycling, learning delicious recipes, reflecting on sustainability, or even visiting a local farm and hugging baby goats. In short, dozens of activities where we learned, pushed our limits, and, above all, had fun. Being able to live for a month in such a setting, far from the rush and noise of the big city, surrounded only by birdsong and the breeze through the trees, was an absolutely incredible experience. A complete immersion in nature, where it’s possible to reconnect with oneself, but at the same time, also explore spectacular nearby places like Lecco, Como, Varenna, and Bellagio. However, what undoubtedly made this month unforgettable was the people. Sharing this time with young people from other countries and cultures is an endless source of learning, filled with laughter and good times. My time at the Eco Ostello Parco Monte Barro has given me people, lessons, and experiences that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. People often talk about stepping out of your comfort zone, but the Eco Ostello was my comfort zone this month. And for that reason, I cannot recommend this experience enough.

Leonie’s Testimonial

When we first arrived at Eco Ostello Parco Monte Barro, spring had not yet made an appearance. Our initial workshops took place indoors, and our first walk outside was accompanied by thick fog and damp weather. Despite the grey skies, our days were full of creative activities: we made recycled paper, crafted wooden notebooks, painted t-shirts, and even attended a fascinating presentation about toads and their migration. That first weekend, we hiked down to Lecco, the nearest town, in the pouring rain. What I quickly came to realize is that once you’re out in nature, even bad weather has its charm. Still, I was relieved when we made it back to the hostel at nightfall — backpacks filled with snacks and legs sore from the hike up. The mood lifted even more the next afternoon when the skies cleared, allowing us to hike to the Vetta — the summit of Monte Barro — for the first time. The panoramic views of surrounding mountains and lakes were simply breathtaking and well worth the wait. With the return of the sun, we began our outdoor conservation work: building fences to protect migrating toads along the shores of Lake Como. The timing couldn’t have been better, and I was thrilled to finally be working outdoors, soaking up the fresh air and sunshine.

Sara’s Testimonial

My name is Sara, I’m 29 years old, and I recently had the opportunity to take part in an environmental project at Monte Barro, at the Eco Ostello, together with the ESC Team. My work involved supporting environmental conservation and management activities. I participated in a variety of tasks such as creative upcycling, maintaining the hostel and its surrounding areas, protecting toads, and helping create an ecological zone. This experience made me more aware of the impact our actions have on the environment. It also gave me the chance to meet people with similar ideas and passions, creating a strong sense of community and shared purpose. In addition, I had the opportunity to explore the surrounding area — the stunning natural beauty of Monte Barro with its mountains and lake views. We also went on trips to local organizations, such as a farm, where we learned a lot about sustainable production. I saw with my own eyes how local production can be more sustainable and how important it is to support local farmers. And of course, there was no shortage of fun! We did sports activities like skateboarding and climbing, which challenged us and strengthened our teamwork. I met many people, and each one brought their own energy and passion, creating an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual respect. We were all different, yet united by a shared passion for nature and the environment — building connections that will last even after the project ends. This experience has definitely helped me grow and become more aware of my passions and choices. I can only encourage anyone to take part in a similar experience!

ESC Teams with the European Solidarity Corps

The special feature of the ESC Teams is its short duration, ranging from 2 weeks to a maximum of 2 months. This aspect makes it accessible also to young people who work or study and cannot dedicate a whole year to travel! Despite the brevity of the projects, Group ESCs offer meaningful and intense life experiences, during which numerous professional skills can be acquired. Moreover, by sharing life and work with a group of people, similar to a community, the participants have the opportunity to create strong bonds even in a short period of time.

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