5 months in an eco-village – Bence’s story
Hey! I’m Bence, 28, from Budapest. Last summer I decided to jump into something completely new: I went to Northern Italy to volunteer in an eco-community called Gaia Terra through the ESC program.
I stayed for 5 months and 5 days — and honestly, it gave me way more than I expected.
From the start, I knew this would be my thing. I’ve always been interested in ecological building and community living, so the project instantly caught my attention. Plus, being in an international environment is one of the best ways to learn — languages, cultures, perspectives, all at once.
In the first two months, I tried a bit of everything: gardening, kitchen work, fermentation. Then in the last three months, I focused on construction, since that’s where I had the most experience. At the same time, I was really involved in community life too.
It wasn’t just physical work. I helped organize daily life by creating a big magnetic board for tasks, and I also organized hikes and group activities.
The best moments? Working together and having deep conversations for hours. Or dancing, playing music, and jamming in the evenings. Those moments really stay with you.
The hardest part was finding time alone — especially in winter, since there was only one heated common space, and it was often busy and loud.
Overall though, I’d 100% recommend it. I met amazing, passionate people, made friendships that might last a lifetime, and even learned Italian from scratch. The ESC support made everything feel safe and manageable.
If you’re thinking about it: go for it.
— Bence
From project manager to eco-life – Diana’s story
Hi! I’m Diana, 28, also from Budapest. When I applied for ESC, I was at a turning point in my life. After working for a long time as a project manager, I felt like I needed a change.
Something slower. Closer to nature. More real.
That’s how I ended up at Gaia Terra, where I spent 5 months volunteering.
During that time, I explored a lot: permaculture, vegan cooking, gardening, ecological construction. But the biggest lessons weren’t just practical — they were about living in a community.
And that’s not always easy.
It was inspiring and challenging at the same time. I was surrounded by amazing people and had incredible experiences, but it could also be hard to focus on my own personal projects.
By the end though, things started to fall into place. I found my rhythm, my space, and a way to focus on my own goals too.
What I love about this experience is that it opens a door to a world you might never otherwise see. You can try something completely new without pressure, without risk, and without having to pay for it.
And you learn — not just skills, but life.
Having all expenses covered made a huge difference, because I could fully focus on the experience. The cultural and language exchange was also a big highlight.
I truly believe experiences like this teach you more about life than work or school alone.
If you get the chance: try it.
— Diana
