Sometimes the stories are good because of the characters; maybe some of them are not the same without them. Warsaw, Poland, European Solidarity Corps would not be the same without them too. This story starts with some people that come from different places; that are different because of the age, the culture or religion. But like a good story this not will be focus on the differences if not on the similarities. Because doesn’t matter where you come from, doesn’t matter who you are, what language you speak or how old are you; all of us we came for a reason: Solidarity. Now 5 months after I arrive here, I can say that I’ve met, I’ve done and I’ve known.
I have met people from all over the world. Because this project gives to you the opportunity to meet new people, some of them from places that you could never imagine. Because I’m not sharing only part of my time with them like in the school or the activities that foundation could prepare. I’m living everyday in a culture remix, I’m having everyday a new culture shock and I’m getting something that people with other experiences can offer to you. And it’s amazing how all that people are able to give, to support each other, to create a little community, a crew, a really special one. This project changes lives because all of them we came with a different story behind and now we are all together writing a new one in common. This is how it works.
I can say that I’ve done because during these 5 months I’ve experienced a lot of new things. It was not easy deal with a new country with a different culture, language or weather. It was not easy to leave my home, my family and friends. And of course it was not easy change your language for speak everyday English. This is the first thing that I could say I have done, change my life. Also live with a lot of people can make I did some different activities that maybe I never liked before. Because I’ve never thought that I would do yoga or play volleyball with middle age people. And at the same time I’ve improved the things I like: travelling, playing football, going parties (too many maybe)…We have visited Berlin, Krakow, Wroclaw, exploring Warsaw… Because if one thing I could do in ESC is discover. Discover places, people and also yourself.
Finally and definitely, I’ve known. I’ve known more about Poland, about Europe in general. I’ve known how is to live without sun which for me was really hard. I’ve known history, art, places or countries. But I discovered more about me, about my feelings, about my future’s plans. All these experiences in arrival training, where I met people outside my foundation, were really good to have different impressions about Poland and Europe. But what I’m sure that I learnt is the meaning of solidarity which is not only gives or receives something material. Solidarity is everything. Every moment, story or person. Because this is about give and receive knowledge, culture and love. Because the little details that you live with others make this experience better. Because this story could not exist without the people, the stories, the solidarity.
