"For me, volunteering abroad provides the opportunity to get to know a culture I am really interested in." - Franziska volunteering in Italy Blog

Since I was 15 years old, I knew that after school, I wanted to go abroad. A year in a foreign country sounded like one of the biggest adventures one could experience. And what should I say? I was not disappointed. I chose Italy as my destination because of its versatile culture and to improve my Italian language skills. I got selected for a project at the youth center #Kairos in Pergine Valsugana. In my project, I am working with young adults. Together with my colleagues, I help them with their homework, play games, and engage in sports activities with them. With the team, I also organize various activities and workshops. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I also have the opportunity to work in a library and a kindergarten. As you can tell, my work is never boring. For me, volunteering abroad provides the opportunity to get to know a culture I am really interested in. I especially enjoy connecting with the locals and other volunteers. Trust me, you can gain so much more knowledge and support when you interact with people from different cultures and values. Volunteering also offers the chance to gain more independence and personal experience. In just three months, I have learned much more about myself than in the whole last year. Of course, it's not always easy and fun, but whenever I face problems, I can talk to someone, whether it's friends, colleagues, or the people from Inco. In the end, the challenging times make me stronger. Trust me, no matter how scared you are, give it a chance – it's worth it.