Natasa, and Katerina from Greece, Panos from Sweden, and Bahaa from Jordan joined a ESC voluntarism project in Ioannina, at our organisation, Youth Center of Epirus. Their main activities were to help to run the youth center, offer montly activities to young adults (18 - 30 years old), plan and manage small scale events (discussion topics, workshops, etc.), and work on creation of online content related to the people and culture of the city and region of Epirus. Below, you can read their testimonies and see photos of their experience in Ioannina!
Hi! I'm Natasa and I'm from Greece. I have been living in Ioannina for the last 5 years due to my studies and now I had the opportunity to see the city from a different perspective. The interaction with people from other cultures has provided me with invaluable experiences and stimulated me to discover myself through different values and mindsets. The intercultural events, my Personal Project, and the daily contact with the other volunteers were a source of inspiration and equipped me with civic skills and emotions. In my free time, I had the opportunity to explore the city and the natural landscapes around it. This place will never cease to inspire me.
These three months of volunteering at YCE went by very fast. With the help of George, Marta, and the rest of the volunteers, we made unique memories and worked creatively and enjoyably. I can't believe how many things I learned during this time and how much this experience helped me in improving my communication skills. I met incredible people, and we shared a lot of great moments. I hope these months with you will be the beginning of a lifetime of travel, new experiences, and volunteering. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.
I have been living in Ioannina for six months and the least I can say is that this experience has been one of the most positive ones in my life. In my first weeks here I was the only volunteer in the office and I had nothing to do outside of office hours. I was also scared that I would get lost in the city and never be found. I actually got lost sometimes but thankfully they found me. But when the other volunteers started coming everything changed.
I got the chance to meet some incredible and unique people, with whom I have shared many experiences. I can even say that I have grown with these people and with some of them, for sure we are going to meet again. The city of Ioannina is for me a hidden gem in this world. It is so alive, sometimes chaotic, but at the same time it can have a positive and calming effect on the soul. Here I have experienced some of the funniest and more surreal moments of my life. This city is now a part of who I am, and I will visit it again (something tells me I will come here many times). Working for YCE has also been amazing. It has given me the chance to learn new stuff and evolve new competences. George and Marta are so good at coordinating. I'm very proud of my personal project and I will never forget the funny moments in here.
I want to thank everyone who contributed to this amazing experience, the other volunteers, the people at YCE and also the amazing locals of Ioannina. Although this experience ended, I prefer to think of it as the beginning of something new.
Hey there! I am Katerina, and I was a local volunteer of the Youth Center of Epirus. My experience in European Solidarity Corps has been so life changing. Thanks to this project I got to meet so many amazing people from all over the world, participated in fun events and activities, travelled around Epirus and made unforgettable memories! I got to see Ioannina from another point of view and made me love it even more, because of its limitless opportunities and the cultural/natural heritage.
Within two months I got to do many interesting things. Thanks to my personal project I got to explore the natural landscapes of Epirus, visit many beautiful villages and shared meals with the lovely local people! I also had the chance to support Erasmus+ projects such as Meet Our Neighbours, to have an amazing time meeting people from many countries and to learn a lot about Balkans culture, traditions, customs, and stereotypes. I will never forget this experience and how it helped me grow as an individual. I am moved by the kindness of the volunteers and stuff members showed me and I want to thank everybody for being a part of my experience and most of all Giorgos who introduced me to this amazing opportunity!
Returning to Ioannina for the second time felt like coming home. I was back at the Youth Center of Epirus, a place that had already given me so many unforgettable memories. This time, I was determined to dive even deeper into the experience, armed with the familiarity of the town, the faces, and the rhythms of life here.
From the moment I arrived, Ioannina welcomed me with its usual charm. The narrow cobbled streets, the serene lake, and the imposing castle walls all seemed to whisper, "Welcome back." But it wasn’t long before I encountered the first of many amusing situations. I decided to impress the locals with my newly learned Greek phrases. Armed with confidence, I walked into a café and ordered a Freddo Espresso Sketo in Greek. I also said "without sugar" in English.
My time in Ioannina was filled with deep, emotional connections. One of the most touching experiences was participating in the "Meet Our Neighbors" event. This gathering brought together people from diverse backgrounds to share stories, food, and traditions. Listening to the heartfelt stories of others and sharing my own journey created a profound sense of unity and understanding. It was a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the bonds we can form despite our differences.
Working at the Youth Center, I found myself taking on more responsibilities and challenges. Organizing events like the "Green Corners" initiative and "Cleanup Day" gave me a sense of purpose. There was something incredibly fulfilling about seeing the tangible impact of our efforts on the community. One memorable day involved cleaning up a local park. Armed with gloves, trash bags, and an unbreakable spirit, our team worked tirelessly. The transformation was incredible, and the gratitude from the locals was heartwarming.
Of course, no adventure is complete without its share of misadventures. During a hike to Smolikas (the second highest mountain in Greece), I confidently started the hike with a group of fellow volunteers, armed with what I thought was a good knowledge of hiking and camping. By midday, it became apparent that my hiking skills were somewhat lacking. I got super tired in the middle of the mountain, with no energy left. But instead of panic, laughter ensued, and the volunteers cheered me up to make it to the top. We went to a river afterward and spent the afternoon swimming and sharing stories. It was an unexpected detour that became one of the most memorable parts of my stay. Sharing the apartment with these people was amazing and really fun. We shared a lot of food, drinks, sweets, stories, and many inside jokes. Everyone was really easygoing and kind-hearted. I want to sincerely thank them from the bottom of my heart for all the moments we shared and for making my stay more interesting.
Coming every day to the Youth Center of Epirus was really fun and full of laughter. I want to take a moment to thank them so much for the support they showed and the confidence they put in me because they already knew me. They gave me another chance to enjoy three months in this great environment. I really want to thank them one by one for the effort they made and for supporting us with everything during our stay. Everyone in the YC Epirus was super helpful and supportive.
As my almost three months in Ioannina drew to a close, I was filled with a mix of emotions. Leaving behind the friends I had made, the places that had become so familiar, and the routines that had shaped my days was difficult. But I also felt a profound sense of gratitude. This second journey had deepened my connection to Ioannina and its people, and it had taught me so much about resilience, community, and the joy of unexpected adventures. Leaving Ioannina, I carried with me not just memories but lessons that would stay with me forever. I had laughed, I had learned, and most importantly, I had grown. As I’m leaving in one week, I know that this isn’t a final goodbye. Ioannina had become a part of me, and I would carry its spirit with me wherever I went. And who knows? Perhaps a third visit awaits, filled with even more laughter, learning, and love.
This project was co-funded by the European Commission.