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!
Natalia’s Testimonial
Before joining this project, I was in my gap year and unsure of what direction I wanted to take. After living in Krakow for four years, I felt a strong need for change. I wanted to reconnect with nature, focus on myself, travel, and experience something meaningful. When I discovered this volunteering opportunity, I immediately felt that it was exactly what I needed. Italy had always been the country I dreamed of visiting for a long-term stay, so I applied without big expectations and simply waited for the answer. When I finally arrived, I was excited about everything: the place, the nature, and the people I was going to live with. At the same time, I felt a bit stressed and insecure about my English. However, everyone was incredibly kind, open, and supportive. Because of that, I quickly overcame my fears, became more confident, and soon felt completely myself. Living and working in such an international environment helped me improve not only my English but also my communication skills in general. Throughout the project, I learned a lot about myself, Italian culture, and different ways of living. I guided yoga classes, joined various workshops, and discovered the basics of farming, which was a completely new experience for me. The project also allowed me to visit many beautiful places, enjoy delicious local food (especially pasta!), and share countless moments of laughter with other volunteers. Looking back, I can say that this project has been one of the best experiences of my life. It was not only about working and speaking English—it was a deep, personal journey that helped me grow in many ways. I learned how to live more mindfully, appreciate small things, and stay open to new people and experiences. I would absolutely recommend this opportunity to every young person. If you are looking for a chance to explore the world, learn about yourself, and contribute to something meaningful, this project is a perfect choice.
Michele’s Testimonial
I’ve had the opportunity to live an unforgettable experience volunteering at L’Arca, an organic farm in Belvedere Marittimo, Calabria. For two months, I worked and lived with 17 other volunteers from across Europe, sharing experiences and knowledge. The project involved working 24 hours a week, divided into 4 days, from 6:30 to 12:30. We worked hard, learning to sow, harvest, and maintain the fields, as well as taking care of the daily activities of the farm. But work wasn’t everything! After hours, we had free time to relax, socialize, and pursue our interests. Some of us played music, others exercised, watched movies, or simply rested. On weekends and Wednesdays, we had free days to travel and explore the beautiful surroundings. We went rafting, tried ceramics, and learned to make baskets with local artisans. We also participated in workshops organized by fellow volunteers and Italian language lessons. This experience was incredibly positive for me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to meet amazing people from Europe, learning about their languages, cultures, and traditions. I gained valuable skills in farm work and, most importantly, made lifelong friendships. I’m grateful for this experience and highly recommend it to anyone looking to discover themselves, explore the world, and experience the beauty of southern Italy!
Marta’s Testimonial
My name is Marta, I’m 26 and last year I did a long-term ESC. This year, I wanted to try being part of an ESC team to live with others and have a different kind of experience. I’ve always loved nature, but a few years ago I realized that gardening was something I genuinely enjoyed and that it helped my mental well‑being. That’s why I decided to join this type of ESC team. Before joining, I had a lot of expectations, especially about learning how to live and work in a team and in a community, and gaining more experience with agricultural work. I discovered that I really enjoy living with other people, and I also liked working hours all together. I learned a lot about agriculture, but even more about other people and their cultures. I also learned new things about myself like improving how I handle constructive discussions, how to live with other people and understanding how to act in a team. During these two months, we did all kinds of tasks that are usually part of managing large areas of land. We cleared fields from weeds and old plantations, planted many vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, and onions, and dug and hoed to build channels and fertilize trees. We also did different manual activities, like learning basket weaving and working with ceramics. But the most memorable workshops were definitely the ones created by the volunteers themselves: seeing how everyone contributed by sharing their knowledge and passions, which then became part of our relaxed evenings—knitting, embroidery, making bracelets, or cooking. Organizing activities together outside of work was also a big part of the project. We went climbing, explored new cities, went to concerts and planned outings together, which helped us get to know each other beyond the working context and build stronger friendships. I recommend group projects in general because even in a short time, being in direct contact with other young people helps you grow quickly, learn a lot, and open up to new languages and cultures. But I especially recommend this project because it combines agricultural work (a slow and precise kind of work, very different from today’s fast‑paced life) with community living, where you share daily activities with others. On top of that, the wide variety of workshops lets you explore different hobbies and discover what you want to take home from this experience. It’s definitely an experience that leaves lasting memories and valuable lessons.
Luca’s Testimonial
My name is Luca, I’m from Torino, Italy, and I have a degree in Computer Science. Before joining this project, I was working as a software developer, a job that I really enjoyed but that also left me wondering whether the path I had chosen was truly the right one for me. For this reason, I decided to take a gap year and apply for the ESC project, hoping to step out of my comfort zone and explore something completely different. Before arriving in l’Arca, my main expectation was to learn how to manage and grow plants and to understand what work in the field really means. I wanted a hands-on experience that had nothing to do with my usual digital world. I’m happy to say that the project fully met most of the expectations. From the first days, I found myself deeply involved in agricultural work and surrounded by people who were eager to help and share their own knowledge. These two months have been an incredible opportunity for growth. On a personal level, I improved my English, learned how to live with more than twenty people, and even shared a room with other volunteers, something entirely new for me. Living in such a big international group taught me patience, adaptability, and communication. I also learned how to take responsibility and lead others. Many times it was my job to translate instructions from Anna from Italian to English, coordinating the tasks with the rest of the volunteers. It was a wonderful chance to develop leadership skills in a natural and practical way. Our daily activities were simple and deeply connected to nature. We planted salad, beans, and other vegetables, we cleaned the donkey area, and we learned how to take care of the garden throughout the different stages of growth. We also had the chance to join beautiful workshops. One was a pottery workshop, where we shaped our own ceramic pieces, and another one was on basket weaving. These moments added a special touch to the experience, giving us time to express ourselves and learn traditional crafts. Overall, these two months have been an extremely positive experience. Living in nature, disconnecting from my routine, and sharing my days with amazing people from all over Europe helped me reflect, breathe, and understand what I truly want. I absolutely recommend the ESC program to young people, especially those who have just finished school or find themselves in a transitional moment in life. It’s a unique opportunity to slow down, discover yourself, and learn in ways that no classroom can offer. This project gave me clarity, friendships, new skills, and unforgettable memories.
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.