Ciao!
I am Ezgi, from Turkey. I am doing my EVS in Rome, Italy for 6 months. I have been at Rome for a month now and I want to share my experiences with you.
I would like to start with briefly introducing myself, my background and my motivations on deciding to do an EVS;
I was working in art institutions in Turkey. I always wanted to work with NGOs and also to travel the world. I did my first EVS at a small village in Portugal. I had carried out several kinds of activities, which were related to promoting environmental awareness, helping out elderly and disabled people with their daily life, creating art, sport and camping activities for children. My association’s main aim was the education of the young people and thus contribute communities development. The project showed me that youth in the rural areas can and should have the same opportunities that the youth in the urban areas have.
The European Voluntary Service opens doors for friendships, professional networks and unremitting learning. It is a wonderful adventure for those who are looking for positive chances in their lives and lives of others.
I kept looking for new opportunities and I have chosen for a 6 month EVS at Rome. My association at Rome ‘AICEM’ works on youth exchange opportunities, human rights, environmental awareness and related SDG goals. From the first week I have participated in a friendly protest “Fridays for Future”. It was a eye-opening experience to me. Although it is a global act now around world, I was not aware of it until they showed me the manifest.
For those who also don”t know what “Fridays for Future” is I put some information below;
“The school strike for climate is an international movement of school students who are deciding not to attend classes and instead take part in demonstrations to demand action to prevent further global warming and climate change. Publicity and widespread organising began when the climate activist Greta Thunberg staged an action in August 2018 outside the Swedish Riksdag (parliament), holding a sign that read “Skolstrejk för klimatet” (“School strike for the climate”)”
A wonderful opportunity to travel and discover a new culture, learning to take initiative and be independent!
The beginnings in a new place are always challenging. You might have problems with the food, the transportation, the traditions, the bureaucracy, the health, the flatmates… The list can widen even more; however, you develop your communication and conflict management skills, while exploring, discovering and learning how to solve all these problems. The one good thing is that you won’t be alone! Your mentor, supervisor and sending organization are always there to share your concerns and ready to help you. If you look at from the positive side you might not have any problems at all too!
The EVS help you to discover your ambitions, your future plans and to find your own path.
ESC / Erasmus + On-Arrival Training
This was a really fun and a beneficial week. The activities chosen and structured for volunteers to have new skills that are useful in their lives which included the use of radio and video tools but also positive thinking and management skills. We gathered up with 40 other volunteers from different parts of Italy with 17 various nationalities. We became almost a family at the end of the week and learned so much about the opportunities Erasmus + offers for the future.
Overall EVS gives you a chance to get to know new people, culture, a new language and teach you Tolerance, Acceptance, Understanding!
