Amazing Adventure in Italy (European Volunteering Service in Lecce )

Two years ago when I had just finished my studies decided to go for an adventure. After some projects like Training courses and youth exchanges of Erasmus plus I got the opportunity to go for a year in Italy. The European volunteering project was called “Salento Red orange”, held in Lecce a south part of Italy. First of all, why Italy?

It was really hard to take the decision of going or not in this project. One of the reason why I chose Italy was the idea that it is near Albania so I could go easy. It is funny that I had never been in south of Italy, but I was imagining it the same as Albania, specially their culture and traditions. Another reason was the language. I wanted to learn Italian and the best ways for me as a kinesthetic learner was to practice it. I saw some photos about the place (Lecce) and I created my own idea about it.

What was the project about?

Project details:

The main aim of the volunteer’s activities is strengthening and enriching daily activities through the volunteer work and intercultural, artistic, creative activities in the cultural community center Rina Durante.

We think that the volunteer can promote in the best way the European dimension in the cultural community center through artistic and creative interaction with the local people.

Working hours and days off:

5 days per week, 30 hours a week, maximum 6 hours a day (if there is necessity of breaking of this rule because of some urgent circumstances, this will happened with the consent of the volunteer and will be compensated with extra free time), 2 consecutive days off per week and 2 days holiday per month for the duration of the project.

Their timetable will be adapted to the actions they will want to organize. Their missions can also be on week-ends or evenings, depending on the activities. The project and timetable of every volunteer can be changed, according to his motivations & skills; to the actions he will choose to develop; to the needs of the center.

Tasks of volunteer:

The work of the volunteer will include:

Learning Outcomes:

1. Interpersonal, intercultural, social and civic competences

Adaptability and coping with new challenges, team-working with colleagues and partners, sharing responsibility for living together with a multi-national team of volunteers. Improving the personal intercultural sensitivity. Ability to communicate with others (respecting different points of view, non-violent communication, building confidence and empathy in others, willingness to overcome stereotypes and prejudices etc. ) and to keep in touch with local reality. Getting knowledge about community development through intercultural activities & roles and responsibilities of cultural institutions in our society. Establishing the solidarity with local communities.

2. Communication in mother tongue and in foreign languages

Comparing the mother tongue to the foreign languages and developing the conscious attitude towards the mother tongue as well as towards the other foreign languages (Italian, English, polish, Armenian, etc. ). Communicating, socializing and negotiating in a second language (Italian). Understanding the meaning behind the words and the local culture (intercultural understanding).

3. Cultural expression

Understanding the local culture and developing cultural awareness of each other’s needs in a small local community. Developing of the personal creativity and promoting his own culture. Getting knowledge and practical skills about organizing, exchanging and promoting youth culture and cultural event for local community. Getting knowledge and practical skills about web publishing content, information and advertising, public and institutional relations. Getting knowledge about traditional local culture and performing arts.

4. Entrepreneurship

Ability to work as a part of multi-national team, ability to turn ideas into actions, developing the personal qualities as responsibility and flexibility, getting knowledge and practical skills in cultural project management and cultural enterprise.

5. Digital and technical competence

Ability to create, find, use, share information and find contacts through i-net. Ability to use the most popular software for text editing and content management system (CMS), working with sound, pictures and video. Ability to use photo and video camera as well as sound and light equipment.

Crisis management:

The Hosting organization takes the responsibility for raising awareness of risk assessment, risk prevention and high quality pastoral support within the EVS programme, both in project activities and in networking with our partners abroad. The volunteer will be given advice on crisis prevention and management during on-arrival training as well as his whole stay in Italy. He will be also provided with 24 hour emergency phone numbers and mobile phone. The Hosting organization will hold all necessary personal information and emergency contact details for the volunteer.

How was to live with new people?

Well just the idea to live in a new place and far from everything you were used with is a challenge. Imagine how can be living with people from different places, cultures and traditions. As I arrived in Italy, I meet the previous EVS friends which were leaving the house. The first impact I got was WOW … Maybe it will not be as enthusiastic as I thought … Maybe because the place looked too old and small and empty… Then I got to know my flat mates. Everyone was different and so special. Months were passing I was learning more and more about their cultures. Sometimes I was even answering them in their language … Of course with small sentence and a funny accent. Coming from different backgrounds and traditions we had even differences in lifestyle or way of thinking but we could always find a good solution for all of us. I loved the exchange created between us in food and music. I learned a lot of songs and ways of cooking I never thought I would know. Working together was amazing because everyone was good in something. It looked like we could fulfill a mosaic of colors. I have to admit that I am not good at all for painting and I had always someone to help me. I was feeling useful and part of a family.

Party time

My favorite part is the way of organizing party’s in the last moment. You will never imagine how many people can come when you just invite them for a beer and you will find your home full of friends. Games during the party were fantastic. My flat mates were really creative so they had always and idea for a game or activity to do when the atmosphere was going down.

Places

Lecce as a historical place with an amazing infrastructure and an elegant stile will attract your attention. What I love the most is the beach. Torre dell’Orso and Gallipoli were my favorite places in which I would go in every moment. In Torre dell’Orso there is a Great pasticceria with a wonderful view of the bay called Dentoni. The right place to start the day and to end it up. During the summer it is always full and it is cheap actually.

Gallipoli a lovely place for relaxing and parting as well. You can find everything there. There is something for everyone. Full of diversity and life. During the summer it is the center of all entertainment for youth. From the bands playing in the middle of the streets to the big concerts there are a lot of choices and opportunities.

Culture and traditions

To start I will admit I felt in love with Italian culture. I was surprised how people were really friendly and nice. Since the beginning a lot of families were inviting my flat mates and me to go for lunch to them. Hmm It doesn’t happen every day in Albania that people invite you without knowing before and make all the family list :P Something else I noticed was the food. A part that people here give a lot of importance to the food and the way of eating, during the feast they could stay for hours and hours on the table eating and celebrating. Then there is the TIME… If you will have an appointment don’t run if you think you are late cause Italians (at least in Lecce) will always be late. Anyway there are a lot of things different from the culture and traditions. Food Just delicious…I could stay all day talking just about the food in Lecce. It is worthy to try and taste. The tradition way of locals to cook and the important they give to the food is impressive. Pizza, calzoni fritti, pasta and seafood were my favorite. There are a lot of restaurants and nice places to eat in Lecce. They are not expensive but it depends on the budget everyone wants to spend (of course there is always the menu outside to check the prices). The quality is what MATTERS and you will find it in Lecce. About sweets I will mention Pasticciotti. The most delicious typical sweet in Lecce.