What happens when six young people from five different European countries meet for the first time and find themselves working towards a shared purpose in the same city?
This August, INPRO welcomed six new volunteers to Rzeszow as part of their European Solidarity Corps Journey. Bibi, Vasia, Emma, Lucie, Hannes and Luca – each bringing their own experiences, interests and expectations, and now sharing a workplace, a new city to discover, and five months of memories waiting to unfold.
Emma and Lucie, coming from France, bring their own perspectives from their home country, while Vasia joins the team all the way from Greece. Bibi arrives from Portugal, Hannes from Germany, and Luca from Italy, adding even more languages, cultural and personal touches into the group.
Geographical diversity is only the beginning. Each volunteer has been drawn to this experience for their own reasons – from being interested in the European Union institutions, and intercultural cooperation, to stepping out of their comfort zone and exploring daily life in a different country. Along the way, some are striving to build new friendships and connections, while others hope to find out more about themselves and discover their true passion in life.
Despite their individual reasons that led each of them to choose INPRO, there is something very important which they have in common: a willingness to step into a new environment, meet different people, and learn through experience. What connects all six is the vision of beginning something unfamiliar and growing along the way, working across cultures and gaining experience outside their home countries.
By joining INPRO, our new team will have the chance to get involved in different projects, learn new skills, and explore topics such as youth work, European cooperation and community engagement. But their experience won’t only be about work -- along the way, they’ll also get to know Rzeszów, share ideas, meet new people and create plenty of memories together.