SC Team RISE II with Farfalle nella Testa in Bordano | Participants’ testimonials

The ESC Team project “RISE II”, funded by the European Solidarity Corps programme and run by Associazione Joint in collaboration with Farfalle nella Testa in Bordano, has come to an end!

We asked the participants to share their testimonials.

Alexandru’s testimonial

Hi, my name is Iacob Alexandru, I’m from Romania and I’m 23 years old. I’m currently in the final year of my master’s degree. During my university years I had never thought about taking part in an international project, until some friends told me about their Erasmus+ experiences. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to go on Erasmus, so I looked for other opportunities for the summer. That’s how I discovered ESC and Casa delle Farfalle.

After being accepted into the project I felt a huge range of emotions. In the days before departure I was terrified, I even wanted to back out, even though I knew I’d regret it. There were too many new things to deal with: living in another country for 2 months, travelling alone, speaking only English, living in the same house with strangers. I usually don’t like having expectations, because it’s easier not to be disappointed.

Luckily everything went perfectly: the other volunteers are fantastic, funny and caring, our coordinator Rossela is the happiest “walking encyclopedia” there is, the village is surrounded by beautiful mountains, and the activities we did were unique.

Over these two months I learned a great deal, both about myself and about the people around me. I learned to live with people from different backgrounds and cultures, to communicate better, to be more proactive and to step out of my comfort zone. I also realised how important teamwork, patience and understanding are when you live and work with people who have different personalities and ways of thinking.

As for the activities, our main focus was work in nature. During the first month of the project we looked after a small forest: we collected litter, removed invasive and unwanted plants and restored the trails. During the second month we worked in the paragliding area, a popular meeting place for locals. We took care of the trees, cleared areas where unwanted plants were growing and dug an irrigation trench.

Besides the physical work, we also took part in various cultural activities. One was a visit to Casa delle Farfalle, a special place that brings the whole community together thanks to its beautiful butterfly collection. We also visited the Tiere Motus museum in Venzone, which tells the story of the 1976 earthquake, a tragedy that deeply affected the people of Friuli. Another memorable experience was meeting the elders of Bordano, who told us what life here used to be like.

Alongside the cultural activities, we also had the chance to enjoy some outdoor adventures, such as rafting on the Tagliamento, a paragliding flight from Monte San Simeone, a bike ride along the Alpe Adria cycle route from Treviso to Gemona del Friuli, and yoga classes surrounded by nature.

On my days off I chose to travel and explore the region and its surroundings. I discovered a small part of Italy and it made me incredibly happy. I visited charming towns in Friuli Venezia Giulia, such as Venzone, Gemona, Cividale del Friuli and Grado, but also bigger and more famous cities like Udine, Trieste, Ljubljana, Venice, Padua and Cortina d’Ampezzo. I also got to admire the breathtaking landscapes of the Dolomites and the Julian Prealps.

The only problem I have with this project is that it was too short, or rather, it felt too short. These were two incredible months that changed me and opened my eyes to so many things. I feel that a lot of what I learned here will be useful to me in the future, when I go back home. I would recommend this kind of project to anyone, at any time! I believe ESC projects are the perfect way to explore the world, meet people from different countries and cultures, make international friends, discover new perspectives and get to know yourself better. And, of course, they’re also a great way to have fun, try new things and create unforgettable memories. If you’re looking for an experience that combines personal growth, adventure, friendship and lots of fun, I can only recommend it!

Adrian’s testimonial

Before coming to Italy I had a lot of thoughts and doubts about taking part in the ESC project.

I had always wanted to travel abroad, meet new people and live in another country, but I had never really known how to make it happen. When I got the opportunity to take part in this project, I saw it as a chance to do something different.

At the same time, though, I was afraid. I feared I wouldn’t get along with the other volunteers, that I’d have trouble communicating, or simply that I wouldn’t find my place in the group. Looking back, I’m really happy I decided to take the risk.

Lola’s testimonial

My name is Lola, I’m 18 and I’m from Gran Canaria, Spain. After finishing school I found myself at the start of a new chapter, wondering what was waiting for me out there. I knew I wanted something different: instead of university, something that would take me away from what I knew and let me discover not only new places, but also new parts of myself. Then I found this project. The idea of living in a quiet little village, surrounded by nature and butterflies, felt like an invitation to slow down, breathe and live life in a different way. I didn’t know it then, but I was about to begin an adventure that would mean far more to me than I could have imagined.

Before arriving I felt a mix of excitement, curiosity and a lot of fear. I hoped to make new friends, create beautiful memories and maybe meet someone who would leave a mark on my life. I imagined it would all be lovely, but I could never have predicted how special it would become. At first, taking the leap scared me. Everything was new, I was afraid of meeting people from all over the world and I didn’t know what to expect. But sometimes the most beautiful things are born from a bit of uncertainty. Little by little the fear faded, and the place that at first seemed new began to feel like home.

During this experience I learned much more than how to work with plants and care for nature. I learned from the people around me, from their stories, their cultures and the different paths that led us all to this little corner of the world. Every conversation gave me a new perspective, reminding me that there is so much to discover beyond the life we know. I learned to appreciate the small things, to have a more open mind and to understand that sometimes the most meaningful lessons come simply from sharing your time with others. I’m truly grateful to everyone I met in this project.

My days here were full of nature and of discovering Italy. I explored new places, travelled through beautiful landscapes and took part in unforgettable activities, from rafting to cycling to ceramics. But when I think back on it all, I know the best memories aren’t only about the places I visited or the things I did. They’re about the laughter, the shared moments and the people who made even the most ordinary days extraordinary. Those are the memories that will stay with me long after the journey ends.

This project exceeded every expectation and touched me in ways I never would have imagined. What surprises me most is how quickly this place became important to me. Already in the second week I was sad at the thought of leaving, even though the end was still far away. Somehow, without realising it, I had grown attached to the people, the atmosphere and the life we were building together. I arrived expecting an experience, but I found a sense of belonging I didn’t know I was looking for.

Would I recommend it to other young people? Absolutely, without a second thought. I believe everyone deserves the chance to step out of their familiar world and discover what life can offer when you dare to say yes to something new. You may arrive with doubts, but you’ll leave with friendships, unforgettable memories and a different understanding of yourself. This project reminded me that life isn’t made only of big milestones, but also of the people we meet and the moments we share. In four days I’ll leave this village, but a part of me will always stay here, among the butterflies, the laughter and the memories of a small adventure that has become a piece of my heart. The farewell will certainly be hard, but as they say, when it’s hard to say goodbye to an experience, it means it was wonderful.

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 makes them an accessible opportunity for young people who study or work and can’t go away 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, test themselves, gain more independence and rediscover the value of collaboration and community life.

If you’re thinking about going abroad but can’t commit for months, an ESC Team could be the perfect starting point.