By Ambre, 28 years old, from France

After several international experiences during and after university thanks to the Erasmus program, I once again felt the desire to go abroad, this time to connect more deeply with nature, community life, and a sustainable lifestyle. This is how I ended up at the Gaia Terra Project, an eco-village in northern Italy, near Udine, where I recently completed a six-month volunteer experience through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC).

I was specifically looking for an opportunity in Italy, in the environmental field. When I came across the proposal from ESC of Gaia Terra, I immediately understood that it was in line with everything I was looking for and, in reality, it offered me even more than I could have imagined.

Gaia Terra isn't just a place to volunteer. It's a lifestyle. A space for experimentation, connection, creativity, and conscious living. It's a place where you don't just do something, but grow, every single day.

Life at Gaia Terra means living in a community of about 25 people, mostly Italian but also with other international volunteers. Every day brings new activities and learning opportunities:

• Gardening, practicing natural farming, and planting trees
• Cooking vegan meals for the community
• Support eco-building projects
• Sharing community life and values ​​on social media
• Help organize events and workshops

And countless other small but significant tasks that shape everyday life.

As a personal project, I also hosted some morning yoga classes for the community, a great way to start the day before breakfast together.

But beyond the practical experience, what I'll truly take with me are the moments of connection: laughing on the couches, dancing and singing together, playing and making music until late at night, biking around town, hiking in the mountains, or simply swimming in the river that flows just a few meters from the house.

More than just a project, Gaia Terra has become a home.
A place where I found friends and a chosen family.
A pace of life that brought me closer to nature and to myself.

This experience reminded me of the beauty of living simply, consciously, and in harmony with others and the Earth.

As my time here draws to a close, I feel profound gratitude for everything I've experienced and learned. Even though I'll be moving on, Gaia Terra and the people I've met here will forever remain in my heart.

If you're looking for a unique, meaningful, and transformative opportunity abroad, I can highly recommend the European Solidarity Corps. It's a chance to contribute to positive change, learn real-life skills, and experience life from a new perspective.

And if your path leads you to Gaia Terra, consider yourself lucky. It's a place that can change you in the most beautiful way.

Thank you so much, Gaia Terra.

Ambre Bauchet