Finding Nature, Community, and Laughs during my ESC in Bordano

Hello! I’m Laura from Rome, and I want to share my experience with the project Farfalle nella Testa in Bordano (UD), northern Italy.

First of all, a fun fact! One day I noticed some forgotten underwear in the bathroom of the house where we lived with the other volunteers. Days passed, and the underwear was still there. Every time I saw it, I wondered: “How is it still here? Whose is it? Should I write something in the WhatsApp group?” But I always forgot. After two weeks, it was still there, and then I realized — those were mine! I had bought them shortly before departure, so I simply didn’t recognize them. This little episode taught me an important lesson: everyone makes mistakes, even perfectionists like me.

I am 30 years old, an educator in social work, and I really love nature. I chose to join this project to take a break from my usual work and escape city life. At first, I was a little worried about being the oldest in the group and whether I would find time to be alone since we were twelve people divided into two houses. In the end, the group was well-balanced, and there were plenty of nearby spots to walk and enjoy the silence. Being with younger people helped me gain new perspectives and brought a refreshing energy into my life.

The work itself was quite repetitive and not very exciting, but it wasn’t too heavy. I learned interesting things about the biodiversity of the territory and how to recognize different plants and trees. One of the highlights was seeing the many beautiful species of butterflies and insects in the Butterfly House.

We also had extra activities funded by the project, including paragliding, rafting, cycling along a scenic route across Friuli, and cultural activities with locals, such as the final international dinner.

What I enjoyed most about this project was being close to nature and living in a community. This is not the place if you’re looking for city parties, but it’s perfect for those who want to relax by a river or a lake and enjoy outdoor activities. Don’t worry — there were still opportunities to have fun with the group. I even celebrated my 30th birthday there, and we had a great time together.