The ESC Volunteer Team project named "High Road" was carried out in Italy with 44 participants from all around Europe for a duration of 59 days. The project was structured as a travel-based initiative encompassing various regions of Sicily.
These are: Nicolosi, Corleone, Mussomeli, Milena, Montedoro, Caltanissetta.
Aims of this project:
- Promoting awareness of European programs focused on youth and volunteering,
- Initiating community development initiatives,
- Increasing understanding of the significance of disease prevention over treatment,
- Fostering social inclusion by having volunteers serve as role models for their peers.
Nevra Aynacı
Hello, I am Nevra. I want to tell you a little about Sicily and the beautiful things that volunteering has added to me. We came here as a crowded group of 44 volunteers. During our volunteering, we were divided into groups and visited 5 different small towns in Sicily. From the moment we first arrived, we had the opportunity to meet and communicate with local people. I thought that we would have a difficult time communicating with local people because I don't speak Italian, but it wasn't like the way I thought, the people were so welcoming that we could get along with each other most of the time, even if we didn't speak the same language. Almost every day was full of activities. I have made dozens of friends from 20 different countries here, I have learned to say simple things in many different languages, and I have also tried to teach them my language. I learned not only about the Italian culture, but also about the traditions of my teammates in their own countries. I've had the opportunity to communicate with a lot of people, from young children to people in their seventies. I am very happy that I had such an experience at the age of 20, I know that one day I will visit Sicily again. I would like to thank LIDOSK for giving me the opportunity to participate in this project ?
Sarp Arda
Hello, I am Sarp. I would like to tell you about my 59-day ESC project "High Road", which I was a part of this summer and took place in Italy/Sicily.
It was an incredible experience where I accumulated wonderful memories with a total of 44 participants from 20 different countries, learned a lot from the beginning to the end, and had great moments by getting away from my comfort zone. One of the beautiful points of our project was that it was never static. During this process, we organized various events with our team in 5 different cities and towns and interacted with the local community. In this project, which I went to with big question marks about communication, my lack of knowledge of Italian was never a problem. On the contrary, people were much more friendly and welcoming. In addition to the information I learned from different cultures, I shared the customs and traditions of our country with them and we had a pleasant time. We touched people from ages 7 to 70 with the events we held. Whenever we get the chance, we go to the surrounding cities, villages and towns; It was a wonderful 59 days where we had fun like crazy. During this process, of course, there were times when I wanted my family and friends with me, but I managed those moments very well with good motivation. I would like to thank the LIDOSK Family, who was always with me throughout the project process and gave me this opportunity. I'm so lucky to be a part of them.