La testimonianza di Lati
When I applied for this volunteering project, I was attracted by the opportunity to discover Italy, meet new people and work together. I also liked that the project included sports activities and cycling. Before coming, I wanted to improve my English, learn Italian, travel and meet people from different cultures. Looking back, I feel that I achieved many of these goals. I visited new places, met amazing people and made friendships that I hope will last.
I also improved my English and Italian. Since Italian is similar to Spanish and Catalan, I could already understand some things, but during the project I learned new words and expressions. One of the most important things I learned was how to live and work with people from different cultures and personalities. This made me more open-minded, patient and flexible, and taught me the importance of teamwork.
I also tried new activities, especially artistic ones. I learned how to paint walls and transform a bottle into a glass, which are experiences I will remember. Overall, I had a very positive experience. I learned, travelled, stepped out of my comfort zone and, most importantly, made new friends and unforgettable memories.
La testimonianza di Luca
My name is Luca, I’m from Turin, and before starting my European Solidarity Corps journey I worked as a software developer.
This was not my first ESC experience. I had already taken part in an ESC team project in the past, and after that experience I knew that I wanted to have another opportunity to live and work together with people from different countries. This time, I wanted to do something meaningful during the summer, spend some time in nature, and learn something completely different from my usual professional environment.
Before arriving, I had a clear expectation: I wanted to learn how to recycle and reuse old furniture and other materials instead of simply throwing them away. I was interested in discovering how old or unused objects could be given a new life through practical work and creativity.
During the experience, we painted walls, renovated old furniture and helped maintain the surrounding area by cleaning paths and removing trees, branches and grass. It was very different from the kind of work I was used to doing as a software developer, but that’s exactly what made the experience so interesting.
We also had the opportunity to discover different aspects of the local environment. We visited an apiculture center, where we learned more about beekeeping and the importance of bees, and we spent a day working in a vineyard.
These activities allowed us to experience different types of work and learn more about the relationship between people, nature and the local environment.
One of the things I improved the most was my English. Since we were an international group, English was our main way of communicating, both during the activities and in our free time.
I also learned something that I definitely didn’t expect: how to cook for more than twenty people! Preparing meals for such a large group was a completely new challenge for me and taught me how important organization and teamwork are.
Living together with other people was another important part of the experience. Sharing a room and everyday life with an international group requires flexibility, patience and the ability to understand different habits and personalities.
Overall, this ESC experience was extremely positive. Spending one and a half months living in nature, working with my hands and sharing everyday life with people from all over Europe gave me the opportunity to step away from my usual routine and experience something completely different.
I would definitely recommend this kind of experience to young people, especially those who have just finished school or university, or who are going through a transitional period in their lives. I think ESC projects are particularly valuable during these moments because they give you the opportunity to try something new without having to know exactly what comes next. You can learn practical skills, improve your language abilities, become more independent and, perhaps most importantly, meet people from all over Europe and create friendships that you might never have had the chance to make otherwise.
La testimonianza di Maryna
My name is Maryna, I’m 18 years old, and this summer I decided to step outside my comfort zone and join an ESC project at Cascina EUtopia in Italy.
I came with a few goals: to practice renovation skills, gain hands-on experience related to architecture, improve my English, travel and meet new people. But I think I was also looking for something more: an experience that would challenge me and help me discover something new about myself.
Before coming to Italy, I was excited but also nervous. It was my first time travelling abroad, so everything felt new. In the end, it became an experience much better than I had imagined.
As an architecture student, I really enjoyed working with my hands and seeing how our work could transform a real place. We worked on the farmhouse, taking part in renovation, green maintenance and upcycling. Some tasks were new and sometimes challenging, but I learned by trying, making mistakes and working together with others.
The most special part of the project, however, was the people. We came from different countries and backgrounds, but very quickly we became much more than just a group of volunteers. We cooked together, laughed together, went swimming, played sports, explored nature and shared our everyday lives. Somehow, in just one month, these people became like a little family to me. I felt supported, comfortable and never alone, and that is something I will carry with me long after the project ends.
Living and working in an international environment also helped me become more confident with English. I stopped being afraid of making mistakes and simply started speaking.
This experience taught me that travelling is not only about discovering new places. It is also about discovering yourself, becoming more independent and opening yourself to people and experiences you would never have at home. I came to Italy wanting to learn practical skills and improve my English, but I am leaving with much more: beautiful memories, new friendships, new perspectives and a little family that I found far from home.
I would definitely recommend an ESC project to other young people. Sometimes the best experiences begin when you decide to take a step into the unknown.
La testimonianza di Sydney
My name is Sidney, I am 20 years old, originally from Zimbabwe and currently living in Portugal, where I study Tourism at ESHTE. I decided to apply for the European Solidarity Corps because I wanted to experience something completely different from my normal life, meet people from different countries and challenge myself by living in a new environment.
Before coming to Italy, I was excited but also a little nervous. I didn’t really know what to expect from living for 45 days with people I had never met before, especially in a rural area. Looking back now, I can say that the experience was even better than I expected.
During the project at Cascina Eutopia, we took part in many different activities. We worked on renovating the farmhouse, did upcycling activities, maintained the green areas around the property, cooked together and organised sports and outdoor activities. However, some of my favourite moments were not necessarily the activities themselves, but the time we spent together as a group. Playing games with the other participants, joking around and simply spending time together created some of my best memories from the project.
Another great part of the experience was having the opportunity to explore Italy. During and around the project, I got to visit places such as Genoa, Milan, Rome and Turin. Each place was different, and being able to discover new cities, cultures and ways of life made the whole experience even more memorable.
The biggest thing I learned was how much I can adapt to new situations and people. I became more independent, patient and open-minded. I also learned that sometimes the best experiences come from simply being present and enjoying the moment.
I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to take part in this project. It was an experience that gave me new memories, friendships and a better understanding of myself. I would definitely recommend an ESC experience to other young people, because you get the chance to discover another country, meet people from different backgrounds, learn new skills and grow as a person.
La testimonianza di Yuri
I am a nineteen-year-old student from Ukraine, and I recently took part in a volunteering project at Cascina Eutopia. The project lasted for 45 days and was full of new experiences, memorable moments, and great people.
During the project, our team did a lot of work to improve Cascina Eutopia. We cleaned the areas around the buildings, creatively renovated some furniture, painted walls, and took care of many other smaller tasks.
Besides the practical work, we were taught different painting techniques, especially various types of lettering. We also had Italian classes, which were highly interesting, and learned about glass recycling. In our free time, we travelled a lot, discovering new cities, landscapes, and aspects of Italian culture. Together, we explored the landscapes around our village, went to the river, visited a bee farm, and took part in other activities.
This experience was very useful in terms of intercultural communication, self-reflection, and understanding different perspectives. I am deeply convinced that such projects are one of the best ways to build European solidarity and unity.
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. This is precisely why they represent an accessible opportunity even for young people who study or work and can’t leave for long periods.
Although shorter than other volunteering paths, group ESC projects are intense, dynamic experiences full of human exchange. In just a few weeks you can develop practical and transversal skills, live in close contact with people from different countries and build authentic bonds by sharing everyday life.
For many participants, these projects become a space to break out of routine, challenge themselves, gain greater autonomy and rediscover the value of collaboration and community life.
If you’re thinking of going abroad but can’t commit for months, an ESC Team might be the perfect starting point.