Eloise, Laurine, and Hasan

In April, I started a new chapter of my life as a volunteer at the Youth Center of Epirus, and I did not really know what to expect. During these past four months, my role was to organise activities for unaccompanied minor asylum seekers, offering them not just engagement, but also a sense of belonging in a world that hadn’t always been kind to them.

And while I’m reflecting on this adventure, I still recall the overwhelming sense of peace I felt while the ferry approached Greece's shores, announcing the beautiful journey ahead and confirming the decision I had made by coming here. It was as if Greece itself was welcoming me with open arms, inviting me into the adventure ahead.

From the very first day, the warm welcome I received from the team, but also the locals made Ioannina feel like home almost immediately, and I was more than ready to start this volunteering. 

Working with the young asylum seekers changed me way more than what I had anticipated. These teenagers, despite the unimaginable hardships they had gone through, possessed a resilience and a spirit that were so inspiring to me. Through their laughter, their creativity, and their determination, they taught me about the power of hope and the human capacity to overcome adversity. Each interaction with them was a reminder of the strength that lies within us all, and of the importance of offering kindness, support, and understanding to those who need it most. They reminded me that even in the darkest times, there is always light to be found, especially when we come together to support one another. They will forever remain a huge source of inspiration to me.

On another aspect, weekends were often spent hiking through the beauty of the Epirus region, where each mountain was more impressive than the other one, or relaxing by the peaceful beaches or even exploring a new city. It’s a country that will forever fascinate me, and the connection I felt with nature here was unlike anything I had experienced before. 

But what’s an experience without the people you share it with? My memories of this time are so much richer because of the incredible people I met along the way. The other volunteers, who started as roommates and coworkers, soon became close friends, and eventually, they felt like family. Together, we laughed, we learned, and we supported each other through the challenges of our work but also through personal highs and lows. Each person brought something unique to the table, and I am so proud of us for everything we achieved together. I also made meaningful connections with locals who became close friends, with whom, around a glass of tsipouro, taught me more about Greek culture.

I cannot express how grateful I am. This experience has left a lasting mark on my heart. It has taught me about compassion, resilience, and the importance of human connection. Every moment, every lesson, and every person made this journey so unforgettable. 

This chapter of my life will always hold a special place in my soul, not just for the beauty of Greece, but for the profound impact and inspiration this experience and the people I met along the way has had on me.

Greece, I’m sure that I’ll see you soon.

My name is Laurine, and for the past 3 months, I volunteered for the Youth Center of Epirus. Here's what I'd like to share with you about this experience:

When I told my mother I was going to Greece for 3 months, she didn't believe me. It was the first time I'd planned to spend so much time abroad. She was scared, but I was convinced it was the right choice. And I was right. The time I've spent here over the last three months has been wonderful.

When I arrived on the first day, I remember sitting on a bench by the lake and saying "what am I going to do here for 3 months?". The city seemed calm to me. I was afraid of getting bored. That fear quickly went away. Thanks in part to the other volunteers who were with me. I really had a wonderful time with them. We went hiking in the mountains. We went to the seaside several times. We visited cities like Thessaloniki, Athens and Istanbul. And I remember that we planned all this one day by opening the notes application on our phone. The note was called "bucket list". We wrote a lot of things in that list. I quickly realised that 3 months would be a short time with the list we'd written.

I'm very grateful for all the time spent with the other volunteers, and for all the collective energy we had in wanting to move around and discover as much as possible. As far as the mission is concerned, it was very rewarding and beautiful. I organised non-formal education activities in a facility for unaccompanied minors near the city. I met some teenagers with whom I shared some moments that I won't soon forget. I really learnt a lot from them. These are teenagers who show great resilience, and who, with strength of spirit, are fighting to build a life, their life. And going to see them every day for 3 hours to share a game of football and laughter, that was a real highlight.  When I arrived, I couldn't have imagined how much it would mean to them to see us and share these moments with us. So I enjoyed organising these activities, and I really felt useful going there every day. Because I've seen how much our daily presence does them good. When one of us wasn't there, he could see it straight away. They'd say: "where is he/she?", and then they'd ask the question: "is he/she coming tomorrow?". There are some faces I'll never forget. They'll stay in my head for a very long time.

What I can say in conclusion is that it's been a lovely 3 months. I'm proud to have taken the plunge and put my trust to myself to come here. I'm also proud to see that with the other volunteers we have taken this bucket list seriously. We ended up ticking a lot of boxes! And I think when I tell my mum all about this experience when I get home she'll be proud that I've gone.

I came from Izmir, Turkey, and worked as a volunteer in Ioannina for 5 months to provide non-formal social and cultural educational activities to unaccompanied minors. This experience has been an unforgettable adventure for me and has added a lot to me both personally and professionally.

The adaptation process in Ioannina was a bit challenging at first. I was faced with a different language and culture. But thanks to the warmth and helpfulness of the local people, I got through this process quickly. I also met a great team at the Youth Center of Epirus where I worked as a volunteer. Together, we organized various educational activities with unaccompanied minors, established art workshops, and organized sports events. Thanks to these activities, I had the opportunity to establish close relationships with young people and better understand their difficulties.

During the 5 months I spent in Ioannina, I not only volunteered but also enjoyed the city. I visited historical and cultural places, tried local flavors, and met new people. I was fascinated by the natural beauties of Ioannina. This experience I had in Ioannina added a lot to me. I learned to empathize with a different culture, improved my communication skills, and understood the importance of teamwork. I also saw better the difficulties and dreams of refugee young people. This experience made me a more sensitive and responsible person.

My emotions were mixed when I left Ioannina. I was both sad and happy. The reason I was sad was leaving this beautiful city and wonderful people. The reason I was happy was that I learned a lot and improved myself from this experience. This experience in Ioannina changed my life forever. Thanks to this experience, I got to know myself better and started to look at the world from a different perspective. I would definitely recommend Ioannina to anyone who wants to volunteer. I am sure that you will have an unforgettable experience in this city and make a significant difference in your life.

This project was co-funded by the European Commission.