Ciao People! Sono Zeynep.
It has been a long-time dream of mine to take part in an ESC volunteering experience, and I’m truly grateful to have realized it with the amazing Beyond Borders team.
Just a few hours after resigning from the job I had been working at for nearly four years, I found myself on a plane headed to Orta Nova, a small town in the south of Italy. Coming from a big city, adapting to cultural differences such as the siesta tradition initially felt unusual, but I quickly embraced the change. The people in Orta Nova were incredibly warm and welcoming—though I would definitely recommend learning a bit of Italian before arriving! 🙂
After a long journey, I arrived at what would soon become my new home—a shared house full of unique and wonderful volunteers from different backgrounds, all here for the same reason. We cooked, laughed, learned, and grew together. We learned not only how to work as a team but also how to live as one. It was, in one word, a transformative experience.
From the very first day, the Beyond Borders team—Rocco, Maria, and Carmine—provided us with all the necessary information and support we needed. They clearly explained the activity calendar and what to expect, which allowed us to prepare ourselves in advance and feel much more comfortable and confident.
Since I arrived at the end of April, we were just in time for the national Pilgrim event. As Beyond Borders, we took part in the organization by cleaning the area beforehand and distributing snacks to participants during the walk, in collaboration with the local municipality. It was an active and enjoyable way to kick off the experience.
We approached every activity with joy and teamwork, alongside both local and international volunteers. In our “upcycling” event, we had the chance to express our creativity and put a piece of ourselves into the work. At Kyathos, an eco-farm, we harvested vegetables from the garden and donated them to a local charity, helping people in need access fresh organic food.
In May, Youth Exchange projects began. Our first stop was a beautiful project were mental health and social media addiction. During this project, I gave my first-ever yoga class in English—leading a session for 35 people. It was a true milestone in my personal and professional growth.
Throughout the summer, the youth exchanges continued back-to-back. After contributing to two other more different projects, I took a one-week personal break. When I returned, I felt recharged and continued right where I left off. By that time, we volunteers had become much more familiar with our roles, which made everything even more enjoyable. While fulfilling our responsibilities, we also took part in events, connected with others, and explored different cultures.
There are countless unforgettable memories I could share. To summarize, this experience introduced me to non-formal education, deepened my interest in youth work, and gave me space to grow. I discovered more about myself and had the chance to inspire others. And along the way, I built friendships that I know will last a lifetime.
I feel extremely lucky to have met and worked with Rocco, Maria, and Carmine. Sharing my ESC experience with them has been a true privilege. Being part of their ocean of knowledge, experience, and kindness—even if only for 2.5 months—was like discovering a treasure. Their exceptional communication skills and constant support made us feel safe and valued every step of the way. I would like to sincerely thank for their support, guidance, trust and encouragement throughout this volunteering journey and their dedication to youth work.
I am also deeply grateful to the local and international volunteers I had the chance to work and live with—your presence turned this experience into an unforgettable memory.
Finally, I extend my thanks to the European Solidarity Corps and all those involved in making this program possible. It has been an incredibly valuable opportunity for both personal and professional development.
Grateful for you all—grateful for Beyond Borders!