31 Jul 2026
Our two ESC long-term volunteers, Maxim and Viràg, are about to finish their project with us in Torrecuso. Let’s ask them how it was and what they did during these 3 and a half months!
Our two ESC long-term volunteers, Maxim and Viràg, are about to finish their project with us in Torrecuso. Let’s ask them how it was and what they did during these 3 and a half months!
It was our second time hosting volunteers via the European Solidarity Corps program, and the first time hosting long-term volunteers! Indeed, Maxim and Virág stayed in Torrecuso for 3 and a half months. During this time, they shared their volunteering and accommodation with other short-term volunteers. At the beginning of their mission, they started with Kuba and Gerard who stayed for two weeks, and then 2 other volunteers arrived, Matt and Danil, for two months.
Virág: “It was my first time living abroad and I was very happy that I had the opportunities to meet new people not just from Italy, but from different countries too.”
Maxim: “I chose to do my first ESC volunteering in Italy because I wanted to discover its culture more deeply, also to learn something new related to nature and to practice my Italian as I’m planning on studying partly in an Italian university.”
During this time they could explore many new activities and places: they helped us in the vineyard work and other manual tasks that they always were interested in. Also they helped our Project manager with the administrative tasks related to Erasmus programmes. From the middle till the end of their volunteering they went everyday to the children's summer camp to play and interact with local kids.
Virág: “This programme gave me an opportunity to try different kinds of things like organic agricultural practices (in the vineyard) and project management. It was also nice that we could participate in CHAIR, Erasmus+ training course.”
Our volunteers could become a real part of our community by simply living with us, by being an active part and also participating in different events.
Virág: “I realized that the real power is in the community and it is very beautiful. We took part in many interesting events (like ’Internationalists’ trail, birdwatching, lake cleaning, poetry and refugee weeks). During these events we could experience kindness from the locals, but also get to know the way they live and work, and the way they interact and care for each other.”
“This experience showed me that you do not have to hide yourself because you can find acceptance among people.”
Maxim: “Now this experience is coming to an end, and I can say that it was a really important step for me, for better self-understanding. I learned a lot, about organic agriculture but also about the real and actual impact of climate change on the farmers and the harvest. I could meet a lot of interesting people, locals and other volunteers that I met during different trainings. I can see how my language skills have been improved, and I became much more confident with speaking.”
Virág: “It was lovely to see that there are many people who would like to give more opportunities to the inhabitants in the local areas (Up&Bascio Festival). I realized that we can make beautiful things with small actions too.”
However, as we all know it - nothing’s perfect, as well as the experience of our volunteers. Torrecuso is a rural area that doesn't have all the services and easy access as in the cities. We tried to make it as less disturbing as possible by adapting the schedule and the programs volunteers participated in.
Maxim: “Torrecuso is a small village. For me it was the first time living in a small village, and actually I wanted to get such an experience. However, it was also hard sometimes. The problems were mainly related to the isolation and scarce transport. But with the cooperation and help from locals, our neighbors, we always managed to get everywhere we needed.”
Virág: “Torrecuso is a very rural area which is beautiful and hard at the same time. Being close to nature can help to slow down and appreciate the little moments. But on the other hand, sometimes it can be very difficult to go to the city without efficient public transport. But Gramigna, our hosting organisation, always tried to help us to get to Benevento.”
Maxim: “Once I got sick and needed to see a doctor and our neighbours helped me get an appointment the same day at the doctor’s, which was really helpful.”
Living in rural areas can also be challenging for people that do not speak the local language. Maxim could speak as he was studying it previously. had some difficulties but by the end of the project, only 3 months later, she could already understand many things in Italian!
Virág : “For me the most difficult part was the language barrier. I came here without knowing the Italian language, but at the end of the project I learnt a lot and I would like to continue when I get back home.”
This volunteering meant a lot for us as an association, but also it meant a lot for our volunteers. It was a real experience of mutual learning and teaching.
Virág: “I learnt a lot about nature and this experience helped me to get to know myself better.”
A huge thank you to Virág and Maxim!
We are getting ready to welcome our new long-term and short-term volunteers at the end of August! Stay tuned!