Hello I'm Leandro, thanks to Vulcanicamente I had the opportunity to do a nine month EVS in Athens. So I'd like to tell you about my volunteering experience.
I volunteered from April to December in Hellenic Youth Participation, an organization that stands for intercultural dialogue and non-formal education. Our project aimed for us to understand how a youth organisation works and to get to know non formal education and experience youth work. In order to reach those objectives we supported the needs of the organization by creating online material for their projects in their social media. We also created events where we would invite people in the office to do activities with them such as preparatory meetings, which served to let people be more aware about Erasmus+ by doing energizers and team building activities with them. We also did from time to time the English Language Cafè, which was an occasion for locals to practice their English. I also had the opportunity to attend tandem projects, in which I spoke my mother tongue with Greek people, who wanted to practice their Italian skills. It was a good way for me to reflect and think about the words, to speak slower, to make myself understood by people whose Italian isn't their first language, and to express concepts and thoughts more clearly to them. We did volunteering for other organizations as well such as Greek Forum of Migrants, a network of many communities in Athens. My role there was to create graphic material for events created by the forum and shoot photos and videos for those events. Although it was difficult to meet certain deadlines and feeling under pressure due to them I really liked working there, I felt like my work was understood, appreciated and taken seriously. Living in Athens is an interesting experience for sure, although I'm not sure I'd like to stay there for a longer time. I like the city, but for me it's easier to think about negative things rather than positive things about it, like the traffic and the recycling, which is not common at all in Athens. Still it was nice to experience being abroad for a few months. Athens is a big city, there is a lot of stuff to do and to see. Thanks also to the activities we did during our project, we had the chance to interact with the locals, which in some ways are similar to Italians. In 9 months I've met many volunteers, with my hosting organization I had the opportunity to work with 12 of them, some short term, others long term. And due to the nature of volunteering and Erasmus+ projects, I didn't only interact and made friends with locals, but also from people of other countries. A good thing about meeting many volunteers from around the world is that you're experiencing a new environment and a new challenge at the same time and position as them. From time to time you face problems and difficulties during the project, whether it could be with the organization or the place you're living in, but you're not alone. Especially during trainings you realize that those issues are very common, other EVS volunteers struggle as well with their organizations and their new place. Despite not feeling invested in most of the activities I did and frequent misunderstandings, I overall enjoyed this experiece, I think everyone should do an EVS. If you decide to do one, try to make the most of it. Of course everyone is different and everyone has their own boundaries and comfort zones but you are given an opportunity to live abroad, live and experience the culture of that country and to connect to its people, so you should make the most of this opportunity. Another thing I consider important is, when choosing an EVS, choose one about something that interest you or something that you could be interested. You can't predict the future and if you're not familiar with the organization or the country you're going to live in, you won't know for sure whether you're going to like it or not. But choosing to do something you like, something you want to be invested in gives you a good mentality and helps you to make the most of the opportunity you will be given. It will be hard to enjoy something you really won't feel invested in. Regardless of your background, your country or what you're looking for, everyone can benefit from an EVS and will learn something from it.
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This is a new section where we would like to share the experiences of the Italian volcanic volunteers sent abraod by VulcanicaMente as sending organisation thanks to the Erasmus+ volunteering opportunities. We start with the project "Forest Quest" in Cyprus, made up by short and long term volunteering projects. Here the beautiful words of our guys just come back after 1 month of European volunteering in Cyprus in May with #Erasmusplus, fill our hearts with joy and satisfaction with the work we do. Fabio F. Good morning Sara. Sorry, I wrote down something but I felt so many and so intense emotions that is hard to tell, because what I’ve lived is unspeakable. My expectations have been totally fulfilled: I felt inside me that I had to participate, that I might share concrete things, and that’s by taking part in “Forest Quest” project that I’ve learned, I’ve improved myself and I’ve got excited. Living an experience like this is the best thing you can do, because, despite everything, it becomes a part of you. Local people, that lives in small villages hard to reach without means of transport, were so hospitable, so hearty that they have no equals. Cyprus coffees, cookies and fruits were accompanied by shy smiles and soft hugs. The very last day, 24 hours before leaving, I was about to pay my souvenirs and a man said to me: “Get a girlfriend, get married and stay here!”, and suddenly by chance a beautiful girl came into the shop and started speaking with us. In order to not getting attached to her, I had to leave. Fabio P. I bring with me a wonderful experience with local culture, but at the same time in a multicultural group. I’d do it again and I recommend it to everyone. Camilla: : Cyprus - between May and June - volunteering in the woods. I immediately decided to apply. And now, "at home", a few weeks from the return, I do not even have time to wonder what this experience has left me that Iimmediately felt the warmth of Cypriot hospitality. And of those coffees offered, as an excuse to have a chat in the cool, on the terraces of those white and blue houses. The sun is very comfortable and the sea is very clear. Card games, breathtaking views. The music that accompanied us everywhere. The barbecues. That feeling of being in the right place at the right time that I wish everyone. ♥ And then - dispassionate advice - go to Cyprus! Or do an EVS! Or even better ... make an EVS in Cyprus !! " |
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