Giulia Lana, an eighteen-year-old from Sicily, participated this year in two STAR projects: Educational Walking Tours in Serbia and Digital Storytelling in Jordan, both training experiences within the Erasmus+ KA2 project “STAR: Story Tours Alternative Routes”, coordinated by SCI Italia. She shared how these experiences changed her life, reflecting on her travels in both countries.
“When I first saw the Educational Walking Tours project in Serbia, I was immediately intrigued. The idea of an educational walk captivated me, and that’s exactly what I discovered during the training in Serbia. The experience opened my eyes to how much one can learn just by exploring a place. I learned a lot, not only about communities in other countries but also about how to find opportunities in my own reality. This was my first Erasmus+ program, and it taught me the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone. I realized that everything around us can be a source of learning—you just have to be open to it. Coming from a small town in Sicily, where tourism and the economy are not very developed, I started to see how activities like an educational walk could work here as well. An immersive tour could help people discover our local food, culture, artisans, and everyday life. I was so excited about the project! For example, a bike tour could be another great idea. Each participant brought something from their own culture, and we learned a lot from one another.”
Giulia says she is still in touch with the participants she met in Serbia: “We often talk, sharing our cultures and stories. Maybe in the future, we’ll even get to meet again. I hope to visit them in their countries one day.”
The STAR project in Serbia opened the door to another opportunity in Jordan. “I met some amazing people from Jordan during the project in Serbia, and they invited me to join a project in their country. When I saw the theme, I thought: ‘This project is perfect for me!’ I was really interested because I study Political Science and International Relations—it felt like it was made for me. Once I arrived, I realized that Jordan is very different from my home country, but in many ways, it felt familiar. I felt at home. People in Jordan are incredibly hospitable, they cook amazing food, and they make you feel truly welcome. Thanks to the project, I learned the art of storytelling and how to write in a digital format. I also created a short film on femicide to show other women that they are not alone and that they have our support. I was the one who filmed it—it’s such a powerful way to tell a story and deliver a message. Additionally, I was the youngest participant there, and this helped me realize that age doesn’t matter: in a diverse group, there is always something to learn. If you’re the youngest, you can learn a lot from others, and even the oldest person has something to learn from the younger ones.”
Before leaving for Jordan, many people warned her: “Please don’t go; it’s very dangerous.” But Giulia replied: “I know.” Yes, it can be dangerous, but that’s life. In fact, three days after she left, there was an attack from Iran, and she realized that if she had still been there, it could have affected her. “But these things can happen anywhere, even in my own town. Just because you’re in a conflict zone doesn’t mean you’re constantly in danger. You can stay safe, and simply being there can mean a lot to the people. You can spend time with them, talk, exchange cultures, and offer a break from the worries of war. I think that if anyone has the chance to go, they should.”
In Jordan, Giulia discovered a part of herself she didn’t know before. “It was really difficult being there, so close to a conflict. I could see the rockets, feel the tension, and experience what it means to be next to a war. I felt like a local, understanding the emotions of those around me. Many people there have family in Palestine, and you could feel the impact of everything happening—you could see it on their faces, feel it in their emotions. Being in Jordan was the most emotional experience of my life, living with their culture, their people, and seeing the reality of war from my window.”
Giulia also has a message for all young people thinking about volunteering with SCI Italia:
“Do it! Leave home, go somewhere new, and step out of your comfort zone. Discover the world! What excites me most in life is experiencing things bigger than myself. It’s the only way to learn about myself and others. My favorite Italian quote is: Chi non si muove non può rendersi conto delle proprie catene—‘Those who don’t move don’t realize their own chains.’”
Giulia’s experiences in Serbia and Jordan demonstrate the power of volunteering and intercultural projects in shaping young people into conscious individuals capable of facing global challenges. With her determination and curiosity, Giulia embodies the essence of the positive change that volunteering can bring—not only to those who participate but also to the communities they meet along the way. If you, too, want to discover the world, push your limits, and learn from different cultures, international volunteering could be your next step.
What is STAR?
The STAR: Story Tours Alternative Roots project, is a collaborative initiative involving six associations over a period of 30 months. The primary objectives are to enhance organizational and management skills, foster meaningful collaborations between participating countries, create impactful youth programs, and teach participants crucial skills such as budget control, time management, and effective project execution.
The motivation behind STAR stems from the lack of opportunities for young people to engage meaningfully with different cultures and environments. By promoting social inclusion, the program aims to help participants develop leadership skills, understand diverse cultures, and prepare for their future roles. The project enhances partnerships and NGO capacity for impactful youth programs using a digital, inclusive, and sustainable approach. It focuses on developing project management skills, fostering collaboration among partner organizations, researching educational walking tours as a youth development tool, and advocating for policy change.
The associations participating in this project include SCI Italia, SCI Catalunya, Space for Sustainable Development from Jordan, Projekte Vullnetare Nderkombetare from Albania, Center For Intercultural Dialogue Association from North Macedonia, and Volonterski Centar Vojvodine from Serbia.
STAR is funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme and supported by Agenzia Nazionale per i Giovani.