Desislava Dimcheva
How did I decide to make an EVS in Italy? It was an easy decision! J
Having studied European studies for 4 years in Sofia and having participated in many Erasmus and non-Erasmus international projects I knew for sure that I wanted to experience what is it to be a volunteer for a longer period – so I picked the longest possible 12 months. Italy was my first and only choice because the culture and the language had been a passion for me long before I decided to do the project.
I did my research and applied for many projects that were going to take place in Italy. I still remember my interview with YouNet and the good impressions I got from the people I spoke with. Then came the waiting … a few weeks of checking my mail twice a day to see if the project was going to take place or not. At first I had applied for a project taking place in Bologna but then I was told that the one they were considering me for was in Reggio Emilia, a city I had never heard about before. I wasn’t as excited for Reggio at that time but finally decided that it would be great as well. And it really is!!! I arrived in Reggio on a hot day at the beginning of October, still remember the confusion with the trains and my two suitcases, having no more than a blurry idea of what was expecting me there. The first few days flew away so fast – I was meeting new people every day, trying to get to know the city and remember the names of all the people in the office. I don’t remember my first impressions but I was confused all the time. Then slowly I got used to the place and the people around and I had the feeling it was going to be great.
There are so many things I have learned and experienced during the last 10 months in Reggio Emilia. I had the chance to fulfill some of my dreams by visiting different places around and living the Italian life by working and making friends here. At first I was skeptical about working in a smaller office with a smaller number of people but now I have found out something about myself – before I had always thought that I wanted to find a job in a big company, but now after seeing how great it is to work in a small team of friends it has become a dream of mine to find similar environment for my future career life. Although finding a group of people as amazing as this one would be a difficult task.
Another great experience I had here was teaching. I had been giving lessons in English before my arrival here but I found myself in a completely different situation – I had to prepare and deliver English or Italian lessons for Polish students, Polish being a language I have no competences in. It was a bit chaotic and absolutely new for me. I had the opportunity to try different ways of presenting the students with the material and try different ways to communicate with them. I am entirely happy with the experience I have gained in teaching here and I am looking forward to pursue a future in the same field.
So to sum up my voluntary year here has enriched my life and my knowledge so much. There have been awesome and awful moments but they were all worth it. If I had to decide today whether to do an EVS or not, I would immediately say “yes”. This experience gives you the opportunity at the age between 20 and 28 to take a break from your normal life, to take a break from making decisions and plans for your future, take a break from following the “proper way”, to take a breath and think about what exactly you want to do and how you want to continue. All the things that happen to you, all the people you meet and work with give you new ideas and without wanting, even not knowing they help you so much.
Having studied European studies for 4 years in Sofia and having participated in many Erasmus and non-Erasmus international projects I knew for sure that I wanted to experience what is it to be a volunteer for a longer period – so I picked the longest possible 12 months. Italy was my first and only choice because the culture and the language had been a passion for me long before I decided to do the project.
I did my research and applied for many projects that were going to take place in Italy. I still remember my interview with YouNet and the good impressions I got from the people I spoke with. Then came the waiting … a few weeks of checking my mail twice a day to see if the project was going to take place or not. At first I had applied for a project taking place in Bologna but then I was told that the one they were considering me for was in Reggio Emilia, a city I had never heard about before. I wasn’t as excited for Reggio at that time but finally decided that it would be great as well. And it really is!!! I arrived in Reggio on a hot day at the beginning of October, still remember the confusion with the trains and my two suitcases, having no more than a blurry idea of what was expecting me there. The first few days flew away so fast – I was meeting new people every day, trying to get to know the city and remember the names of all the people in the office. I don’t remember my first impressions but I was confused all the time. Then slowly I got used to the place and the people around and I had the feeling it was going to be great.
There are so many things I have learned and experienced during the last 10 months in Reggio Emilia. I had the chance to fulfill some of my dreams by visiting different places around and living the Italian life by working and making friends here. At first I was skeptical about working in a smaller office with a smaller number of people but now I have found out something about myself – before I had always thought that I wanted to find a job in a big company, but now after seeing how great it is to work in a small team of friends it has become a dream of mine to find similar environment for my future career life. Although finding a group of people as amazing as this one would be a difficult task.
Another great experience I had here was teaching. I had been giving lessons in English before my arrival here but I found myself in a completely different situation – I had to prepare and deliver English or Italian lessons for Polish students, Polish being a language I have no competences in. It was a bit chaotic and absolutely new for me. I had the opportunity to try different ways of presenting the students with the material and try different ways to communicate with them. I am entirely happy with the experience I have gained in teaching here and I am looking forward to pursue a future in the same field.
So to sum up my voluntary year here has enriched my life and my knowledge so much. There have been awesome and awful moments but they were all worth it. If I had to decide today whether to do an EVS or not, I would immediately say “yes”. This experience gives you the opportunity at the age between 20 and 28 to take a break from your normal life, to take a break from making decisions and plans for your future, take a break from following the “proper way”, to take a breath and think about what exactly you want to do and how you want to continue. All the things that happen to you, all the people you meet and work with give you new ideas and without wanting, even not knowing they help you so much.