ESC Team 2025 with Fattoria L’Arca in Italy | Volunteers Share Their Experience!
The ESC Team project “Team for Healthy Life 3 – T4HL3”, financed by the European Solidarity Corps programme and run by Associazione Joint in cooperation with Fattoria L’Arca in Italy, has come to an end!
The overall objective of the project, in accordance with the priorities set for 2021, was to promote well-being and a healthy lifestyle for the volunteers and local communities. It was an opportunity for participants to reclaim a space to socialise in a healthy and safe manner, while engaging in volunteer activities that promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups, health and wellbeing in communities.
Project activities touched on specific themes, in accordance with the host organisation and the needs of the local community:
- nature and outdoor life
- mental health
- health prevention/health promotion
- conscious nutrition
Let’s see what participants have to say about it!
Nat’s Testimonial
Ciao! My name is Nat, I’m from New Zealand and here in Italy on a 12 month working holiday visa. Prior to coming to L’Arca, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I hadn’t been so far south in Italy before, and had never done an ESC project before either. However, I knew from the photos and the google reviews of L’Arca that the environment was gorgeous. I was ready to work on the land, meet other young people, and live in a close-knit community again. This experience cleared my expectations easily. The nature here is spectacular, the work was often difficult, but also enjoyable and stimulating. And the volunteers were incredible people, and I hope I will be able to meet many of them again, wherever we are in the world! I’ve learned the value of disconnecting from my phone, of eating meals with people whenever I can, taking time with simple work and appreciating every sunrise and sunset. My ultimate learning from this experience is to say ‘yes’ to opportunities, plans, and people, whenever you can. And you can, more often than you might expect! In general, I worked a lot in the greenhouses, helping the tomatoes to grow well, and also weeding and tilling fields. We all took turns to collect chicken eggs in the evening, and set the table and clear away dishes after dinner. In terms of using your free time, there are so many possibilities; the beach is only a 40 min away, the old city has a wonderful gelato spot and incredible views, and if you have time, go up the mountains to the refugio! I really adored this experience, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to live in harmony with nature and others (and doesn’t mind the early mornings of farmwork!)
Iris’s Testimonial
Ciao, I’m Iris, and I’m currently taking a gap year between the two years of my Master’s degree. During the first semester, I did an internship, and for the second part of the year, I wanted to have a different kind of experience. I’m passionate about the environment, food, and ecological farming systems. While I’ve already studied these topics academically, I wanted to explore them in a more hands-on, practical way. I heard about the ESC volunteering program, and this kind of project sounded perfect to me—it involves being part of a group, and it’s free of charge. I started looking for a project related to ecological farming and found this one in Belvedere. I applied immediately—finding a farm by the sea and the mountains was a huge bonus! I didn’t have many expectations. I simply wanted to slow down from the city pace, reconnect with nature, and learn more about farming. The rhythm here is great: working in the morning, with afternoons free to rest, do arts and crafts, go to the sea, and talk, talk, talk with people. It’s been amazing to disconnect from city life. We follow the rhythm of the sun, and the farm is so peaceful (apart from the dogs and the peacocks!). I’ve learned so much—not only about agriculture, but especially about living together with many different people. It’s not always easy to live with 20 people with such diverse personalities, but it’s beautiful to see how it can work when everyone is willing to make it work. I’ve also picked up a bit of Italian and learned new skills in ceramics, basket weaving, and even how to make tortellini! We worked on the farm during the week, with one workshop day each week. Weekends and afternoons were free, giving us plenty of time to enjoy, explore the area, play games, and get to know each other better. I truly loved this experience—it was a real pause from my fast-paced routine. I feel rested, I made meaningful friendships, and I got to know Italian culture better (we ate a lot of pasta!!). I’m deeply grateful to have been part of this project. L’Arca is a beautiful place, and Anna is truly admirable. I’d definitely recommend this experience to anyone who wants to slow down, work with their hands, live in community, and reconnect with nature and animals. It was so special to meet people from all over the world, with different backgrounds and life plans. I’ll carry these memories and friendships with me forever.
Vincenzo’s Testimonial
My name is Vincenzo, I’m 24 years old, and I come from Naples, Italy. When I applied for this volunteer project, my goal was simple but profound: to step away from the chaos of everyday life and immerse myself in nature. I craved a break from my routine, the chance to connect with new people, and the opportunity to reflect on myself in a completely different setting. Living and working in nature brought me a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time. The people I met—each from different countries and backgrounds—added color and depth to the experience. So one of the most meaningful parts of this experience was the deep connection I built with my new friends. We shared stories, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Speaking English every day really helped me improve, and hearing about their lives gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges people face in other countries. It opened my eyes and made me more empathetic and aware. Together, we laughed, worked, and supported each other like a family. I can’t wait to see them again. One memory I’ll always carry with me is from our first group trip. We watched the sunset, some of us even cried from the beauty of the moment, and we shared our hopes for the weeks ahead. I’ll also remember our early mornings, music in the fields, and the joy of simple tasks done together. During this experience I came to understand my own value and the importance of taking time for myself. My little clay turtle, made during a pottery workshop, now sits on my shelf at home—reminding me to live at my own pace. To anyone thinking about volunteering: just go. On the other side of your doubts, something beautiful is waiting.
Kevin’s Testimonial
Some months before the project I graduated from Highschool and wanted to go abroad to experience something I never experienced before. I was looking for an opportunity to live abroad for some time and learn something useful at the same time. That’s when I stumbled across the project „ESC T4HL 3 in L‘Arca“. I did not have any expectations, because I did not know what was coming at me. That is what makes life fun, right? But even if I would have had many expectations, they would have all been met. On the one hand, the project had the intention to bring us closer to agricultural work and it worked for sure. I learned many things about taking care of the plants and harvesting. On the other hand, the time here taught me many things about myself. I was able to experience how it is to live with many people together and see them all the time. And now, they all feel like a true family for me. Over the past two months i worked many hours at the farm. From taking care of the tomatoes to painting the gate or cracking eggs for the kitchen. Everyday was different and enjoyable, even though the work was hard sometimes. On the free days we had different workshops like rafting, doing ceramics or basket weaving. And sometimes we decided to explore a new city or just spend the whole day at the beach. The project overall was an experience I will never forget. I met many lovely people who shared the time here with me and I am very grateful for that. Furthermore, the project made me have a break from real life and it felt amazing. So overall I really have to say that the project was an „once in a lifetime“ experience. I would definitely recommend other young people to do something like that as well, because you are not just helping other people with your work. You learn things about yourself, make new very close friends from all around the world, listen to stories that open your eyes. If you find the time for that you should definitely do it. Thank you for that wonderful experience. It was a good run. I will miss it.
Nataly’s Testimonial
Ciao, tutti. My name is Nataly, I’m 22 years old and I’m from Ukraine. When I applied to this project I didn’t have high expectations. I just wanted one more time to visit Italy, to feel there more than a tourist, or in other words, to pretend to be a local. Also since childhood I have had a romanticism of hard physical work – manual labor, getting a tan, calluses on your hands, tired, but with your craft and the completed task. That was a reason, why I decided to try myself in agriculture – to leave your familiar environment and comfort zone and head into the unknown. Allora, what did I encounter? I met people who became more than friends, from the very first day our organizers created a family atmosphere, that we could not perceive our connection in any other way. Joint breakfasts, lunches, dinners at one big table and discussing everything in this world, working as a real team, when one for the other, and everyone helps as they can, and often even beyond their own strength. Traveling around Italy, finding new hobbies, teaching each other what we know and can do. Our 2 months were filled with all these. These people and the project taught me to be myself, opened to new things and grab any opportunity. Not afraid of changes and facing difficulties with your head held high. Live not in a hurry, take your time and everything will come. Also, working on the farm showed how much time, human and natural resources are needed to grow one plant or tree, and we must be more responsible in the issue of mindless consumption. A beach clean-up workshop and meetings with other volunteer organizations showed how rewarding it can be to give back to the society. I will carry this knowledge and experience throughout my entire life. I’m very grateful for this opportunity to be a participant in such a project. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I know that what I experienced was life-changing. I strongly encourage every young person not to hesitate and just to go. Overcome your fears, because life is too short to be afraid of everything new. Apply and you will discover that this world has been waiting exactly for you.
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.