ESC Team RISE II with Agriturismo L’Arca in Belvedere Marittimo | Participants’ Testimonies

Darius’ Testimony

My name is Lică Darius Florin, I’m 20 years old, and I come from Romania. From March to May, I participated in a two-month volunteering project under the European Solidarity Corps. The main theme of the project was agricultural work and learning through practical and cultural activities. This experience helped me develop new skills, meet people from different countries, and gain more confidence in working with others.

During the project, we took part in various activities related to farm life. We learnt how to work as a team, take on responsibilities, and adapt to new situations. Besides the farming activities, we had the opportunity to experience many completely new things. One of the most interesting for me was pottery, where we learnt how to make clay objects and express our creativity through art. We also took part in rafting activities, which helped us improve our teamwork, communication, and mutual trust.

Another important part of the project was working with children aged 4 to 8. We organised games, educational activities, and creative workshops for them. Spending time with the children taught me patience, a sense of responsibility, and how to communicate more effectively with little ones.

Over the course of the two months, we also attended several workshops dedicated to topics such as intercultural learning, teamwork, environmental awareness, and personal development. These sessions gave us the opportunity to discuss, exchange ideas, learn from one another, and gain a better understanding of different cultures and perspectives.

This experience was as educational for me as it was important on a personal level. I improved my English, became more independent, and realised just how much solidarity and cooperation are fundamental values in everyday life.

The European Solidarity Corps project was an unforgettable experience that has motivated me to continue participating in international projects and community activities in the future.

Deniz’s Testimony

The L’Arca project wasn’t just a volunteering experience for me; it was also a period during which I managed to find my direction in life again. Before arriving here, I felt rather lost and stuck. I didn’t really know which path my life was taking and, for the first time in a long while, I felt I truly needed a fresh start. I had always dreamed of meeting people from different cultures, discovering new perspectives, and stepping out of the environment I was used to. The idea of living in Italy also seemed exciting and completely new. When I found this project, I instantly got a positive feeling and decided to apply.

Once I arrived, I discovered new sides to myself. Living in a group taught me a massive amount. Sharing the same spaces with people from different countries and backgrounds was challenging at times, but it helped me become more patient, understanding, and open-minded. Everyone had a different story, and I learnt something from every single person. I like to think that everyone was like a different colour, and it was precisely these differences that made the experience even more special.

Living in close contact with nature and working in the fields was also incredibly meaningful to me. Taking part in the harvests, working the land, and seeing the potatoes we had planted grow made me genuinely happy. Watching something grow thanks to the hard work you put into it is a beautiful feeling. At first, waking up very early and doing physical work was difficult because I wasn’t used to it, but over time I adapted. Later on, I realised that getting up early and having a more active lifestyle made me feel better, both mentally and physically.

I also loved meditating immersed in nature. Being surrounded by silence, trees, and fresh air helped me feel calmer and more connected to myself. Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed were the workshops organised during the project. Henna tattoos, making bracelets, basket weaving, and especially pottery have become completely new hobbies for me. I loved experimenting with creative activities I had never tried before, and these experiences made me realise how important it is to create something with your own hands and allow yourself time to slow down.

One of the best memories of the project is definitely the rafting. Being surrounded by nature and having fun all together is something I will never forget. The Italian lessons were also very enjoyable. The games, energisers, and time spent together made learning feel much more natural and fun.

This experience has left me not only with wonderful memories but also with a stronger, more positive outlook on life. I’ve learnt so much and I feel I’ve become a more patient, stronger, and more resilient person. I want to keep bringing many of the habits I acquired here into my daily life: living closer to nature, being more productive, waking up early, and building more authentic relationships with people.

I will truly miss all the people I met during this project and the memories we shared. It was an unforgettable experience that changed me deeply, and definitely for the better.

Ernesto’s Testimony

It’s hard to find the words to describe how much this experience has meant to me. I believe it has completely changed my way of looking at life and, in a way, my life itself. I will do my best to put it into words.

Before arriving here, I felt stuck in my small town, with few opportunities and few connections around me. I had decided to take a gap year from my studies, but the confusion about my future was becoming heavier and heavier. I was looking for a way to get out of my usual environment and break bad habits, meet new people, and better understand my interest in sustainability and environmental projects. This opportunity just seemed perfect.

At the beginning, I was a bit worried about the idea of being away from my family for so long or not being able to form deep bonds with other people. Instead, from the very first days, I felt welcomed into an open and safe environment, as if I had found a second family. Day by day I grew, becoming more independent and gaining greater self-confidence.

Each day was so intense that I still find it hard to believe only two months have passed. From working in the fields to the wonderful workshops and organised activities, right down to the many free moments spent together, every single experience taught me something. I learnt above all thanks to meeting people from cultures and backgrounds completely different from my own.

The most beautiful memories I will always carry with me are all those moments when I felt like a child again: curious to discover everything around me, free to be myself and share every thought, carefree while playing and laughing even at the simplest things.

I am immensely grateful for everything I experienced, but I am also proud of myself. I was inspired by every person I met, and I had the opportunity to know myself more deeply and feel more comfortable expressing my emotions. I have truly started to accept my past and love the person I am a bit more. Today, I feel ready and excited to face whatever the future holds for me.

Lorenzo’s Testimony

I simply wanted to get out of my hometown. After a few years spent drifting between different courses of study and jobs, I decided to take a step back to regain some perspective on my life. While looking for opportunities abroad, I remembered a friend who had participated in a project, so I started exploring the European Youth Portal in search of new experiences. To be honest, I ended up in Belvedere Marittimo because they were the first to get back to me. And I can say with absolute certainty that it was truly worth it.

At first, I was worried that some volunteers might not be able to handle such an intense experience. Two months of physical work in a foreign country can test even the strongest of people. Yet, the weeks flew by and nobody gave up. I learnt a massive amount about willpower and resilience just by observing the other volunteers who, despite the exhaustion, homesickness, language barriers, and living together, kept giving it their all with a smile.

I’ve always considered myself a very independent person, sometimes even a bit detached. This aspect of my character had often prevented me from forming deep bonds with people back home. This experience, however, opened my eyes. Thanks to the protected environment this project managed to create, I was able to face the discomfort I used to feel when sharing my emotions and parts of my personal story. within the safe space we built together, I managed to connect with others on a level I had never experienced before. A special thank you goes to our coordinator, whose dedication created an atmosphere of trust and safety right from the start.

Life here was wonderful. The work-life balance was excellent, allowing us to truly get to know the local area, both during the organised activities and while exploring on our own. Every weekend felt like a little adventure.

I arrived here simply looking for an escape from my daily routine, but I found much more: a greater awareness of myself and others, something I hardly would have achieved had I stayed in my hometown. I leave this project deeply satisfied, with lessons I will carry with me for the rest of my life and memories that have far exceeded all my expectations.

ESC Teams with the European Solidarity Corps

ESC Teams stand out for their short duration: projects can last from 2 weeks up to a maximum of 2 months. For this very reason, they represent an accessible opportunity even for young people who are studying or working and do not have the chance to leave for long periods.

Even though they are shorter compared to other volunteering pathways, group ESCs are intense, dynamic experiences rich in human exchange. In just a few weeks, you can develop practical and transferable skills, live closely with people from different countries, and form authentic bonds through sharing daily life.

For many participants, these projects become a space to step out of their routine, challenge themselves, gain greater independence, and rediscover the value of collaboration and community life.

If you are thinking about going abroad for an experience but cannot commit for months, an ESC Team could be the perfect starting point.