Hi, my name is Mariann. I'm 25 years old and I'm from Estonia. I recently completed a volunteer project. ESC long-term project lasting 10 months, entitled “Promoting volunteering and youth participation”, with InformaGiovani in Palermo, Italy.
After graduating from university and working for a year in the auditing industry, I realized I needed to do something more meaningful and interesting. Thanks to years of volunteering experience through the YFU youth exchange program, Erasmus+ activities, and volunteer camps, I decided that volunteering was the right thing for me. ESC In the long run, it would have been the most natural next step for me. When I discovered the project of InformaGiovani on the European Youth Portal, I immediately knew it was perfect for me.
This project allowed me to put to good use the skills and knowledge I had acquired working with young people, in international projects, and in volunteering. It also gave me the opportunity to learn a lot about EU-funded projects and international volunteering opportunities.
During the project, I learned about various administrative aspects of EU-funded projects, led workshops in schools and youth centers, helped select and host new short- and long-term volunteers at our partner organizations in Sicily, participated in several community events, hosted a study visit, prepared and helped implement youth exchanges, helped run numerous summer volunteer camps, and much more. For my personal project, I helped young people improve their financial skills by organizing a masterclass on personal finance management.
I am incredibly grateful to my colleagues at InformaGiovani For welcoming me, becoming my friends, and always being there for me. I'm very happy with how much I learned and how much I grew during the project. I particularly appreciated their flexibility in suggesting activities that interested me, while also allowing me to explore and learn new things.
What made my experience ESC The people I met and the memories we created together were truly incredible. In addition to my colleagues, thanks to ESN and the other volunteers on the projects. ESC, I have made friends with some of the most amazing people I have ever met.
I'll never forget the evenings spent dancing to Italian songs in Piazza Sant'Anna, the karaoke nights, the games of scopa with my roommates, or the glasses of wine enjoyed on a panoramic terrace. I'll remember the stunning Sicilian landscapes, the beautiful days at the beach with friends, the incredible Sicilian cuisine, and the countless pizzas we shared.
Thanks to my colleagues, friends, and ESN, I've had the fantastic opportunity to get to know Sicily and even travel to new countries. During this time, I've swam in Cefalù, visited the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, celebrated Carnival in Sciacca, spent the first warm day of spring in Mazara del Vallo, admired the sunset in Marsala, and visited the beautiful Taormina. My adventures have taken me skiing and hiking on Mount Etna, trekking up a volcano in the Aeolian Islands, and seeing lava for the first time in Stromboli. Thanks toESC I also had the opportunity to visit the European Parliament in Brussels, see Rome during the on-arrival training, and discover Tunisia with my ESN friends.
This experience ESC It showed me how important it is to slow down, not take everything too seriously, and enjoy the simple things. It made me realize how important friendships and the bonds you form with new people are. It taught me to be flexible and patient in dealing with difficult situations and to be more understanding of people from different cultures and backgrounds.
After spending 10 months in Sicily, I'm happy to say that this place has become a home for me. I know that my contribution to the project was appreciated, so much so that InformaGiovani offered me the opportunity to continue working with them.
So, let's toast to the next chapter in Sicily!
Project No. 2024-2-IT03-ESC51-VTJ-