Dolce vita in southern Italy Blog dei volontari

My name is Luca, I am 21 years old and come from Austria. I studied economics in Austria and also spent some time in Asia for a semester abroad. After all these great experiences I did not have enough and wanted to go abroad again to get to know a new culture and people and to learn a new language. Through a good friend I became aware of the EVS. I quickly found a job in Molfetta, in the south of Italy as an assistant teacher at a High School for 10 months. This job sounded like it was made for me and so I sat in an airplane to Italy at the beginning of September 2018.

The town where I worked and spent the next 10 months was called Molfetta. A very small and cosy town. Besides me there were 12 other volunteers from all over Europe in Molfetta which made the everyday life even more interesting. My task was to help the teachers at two High Schools with different tasks. This included the preparation of teaching materials for the students, as well as organizing events at the schools like an open day, but also my own German course for interested students, led by me. A typical day included assisting the teachers from morning till noon. In the afternoons I mostly gave my German course and in addition the local organization often offered very exciting courses for afternoons such as a tango course or a diving course which you could attend. Most of my free time I spent by far in the typical southern Italian coffees in the city. There you could relax and drink a cappuccino for 1€! Drinking a cappuccino and experiencing Italian life up close, for example when the older Italians discussed football and politics loudly at the next table was an amazing experience. The daily conclusion was a walk at the harbour to see the sunset on the horizon of the sea.

The experiences and moments I experienced during these 10 months are unforgettable and had a great influence on my personal growth. Not only have I been able to live in one of the most beautiful regions of Europe, but I have also experienced the work experience in such a country as Italy. Travelling to different countries in Europe like Italy might give you a little insight into the Dolce Vita of Italy, but to get it right you just have to live and work there for a longer time. I was also able to learn a new, beautiful language, meet friends from all over the world and eat as much original Italian pizza as I wanted! A better stay abroad is hardly possible.

I recommend the opportunity to make an EVS to anyone who has always wanted to get out of their own comfort zone and experience a complete change of scenery. The time in a new country is not always easy, especially at the beginning, but if you get involved it can become an unforgettable, beautiful time that you will never forget.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator