Jacopo and Clara

"Hi, I am Jacopo, a 26 years old guy from Italy. Volunteering at YCE has been an incredibly meaningful experience, both personally and socially. I built strong and genuine connections with the teenagers we worked with, learning how to communicate beyond words—through empathy, presence, and a lot of non-verbal understanding. This journey taught me the value of patience, human connection, and resilience, while also helping me improve my English and keep my French alive.

Living and working alongside other international volunteers gave me not just teammates, but real friends—with whom I shared dinners, laughs, and spontaneous adventures. Above all, YCE reminded me how powerful small moments can be when they’re built on care, trust, and shared humanity.

This experience was particularly enriching for me as a Law graduate with a focus on international law and human rights. Being directly involved in a project supporting unaccompanied minors gave me the opportunity to observe firsthand how the European reception system works, as well as its many limitations. It allowed me to move beyond academic theory and engage with the real-life impact of policies, bureaucracy, and human resilience.

However, what I carry with me the most is not just the professional insight, but the profound human enrichment that came from being present, day after day, in the lives of young people. It taught me to listen with more than just my ears, to connect beyond cultural or linguistic barriers, and to approach every interaction with empathy, humility, and openness. This deepened my understanding of what it truly means to support someone—not by solving their problems, but by standing beside them with genuine care.

Living in Ioannina, in the northwestern part of Greece, was an adventure in itself. The city, nestled between mountains and lake, offered the perfect balance between nature and culture. During my free time, I had the chance to explore the region—visiting traditional villages, hiking through beautiful landscapes, and taking short trips to the sea. The Greek lifestyle, full of warmth and simplicity, made me feel welcome from the start. I discovered incredible food, from souvlaki to spanakopita, and experienced a way of life deeply connected to community and hospitality. Greece gave me not only a place to volunteer, but also a place to grow, rest, and feel inspired."

"Hi everyone! I am Clara, from Spain, and I spent my last three months in the beautiful city of Ioannina working closely with teenagers living in the Agios Athanasios Facility. Our main objective was to offer them a fun, safe and educational space, where they could feel welcomed and respected while developing their creativity and personal qualities (that are a lot!). 

Although time passed by really quick during these months, the opportunity has been really interesting and a gift in many ways. Being in touch with these teenagers and knowing first-hand their stories, as well as being part of their daily lives, has helped me put into perspective the opportunities and privileges I have, a blow of reality that, in my opinion, is really necessary in today's society.

Furthermore, life in a country with a different culture, as well as the team work developed with the rest of the volunteers and with the workers of the center and the organisation, have been a constant source of learning and good times that gave me the opportunity to grow both professionally and, above all, personally.

I wish I had more time to further explore the beauty of Greece, especially of this region of Epirus, but I am very happy I was able to grasp a nice idea of the culture, language, and hospitality of the Greek people. I am also incredibly thankful for the opportunity this experience gave me of coming across beautiful people with whom I could share not only a house but also great and fun memories and common interests and views on what really matters in life. 

Hope to see you again, Greece!"

This project was co-funded by the European Commission.