evs

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts “And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”  – Murakami   When something comes to an end, we often struggle to find the meaning of what has just happened. Precisely, how we got into it, what was our motivation and expectations, which…Read more
Beyond Eyes – Reflections after Art Residence

Beyond Eyes – Reflections after Art Residence

Beyond Eyes – Reflections after Art Residence Sometimes on your life path you meet people that don’t care about anyone, other than who is making them feel confident. They seems to soften their heart only in specific situations, with specific people. They rather put out your light than find their own. They don’t see beyond their ability to judge who is trying all his efforts to be kind and compassionate. At See Beyond I finally met some people who gave me the feelings of caring for others. People who accept and are sincere…Read more
Uno per tutti, tutti per uno!

Uno per tutti, tutti per uno!

Lviv Eco Club: a story of friendship Often I have spoken about how is it difficult to make friends in Ukraine. This, like many other things in the world,  is partly true. Today, in this article, I want to tell you about a true story of friendship. Here in Ukraine, I have met a young girl who has been fundamental to help me to deal with different kind of situations and challenges I experienced during my EVS in Ukraine: my friend Lidia, or better said Chom Chom. Lidia was the example that people…Read more
YEP: Your Voice Against Human Trafficking

YEP: Your Voice Against Human Trafficking

YEP: Your Voice Against Human Trafficking In this article, I want to speak about my personal project, something I am really attached to since it was my purpose since I came here in Ukraine and I made a lot of effort to realize it. Indeed, through my work here in Ukraine,  I wanted to address a problem that is commonly ignored by many local people: the phenomenon of Human Trafficking that affect young people as well. According to IOM, Forty (40%) per cent of vulnerable minors from 13 to 17 are ready to accept at…Read more
Kiev: the voiceless city

Kiev: the voiceless city

Kiev: the voiceless city Last week-end,  I had the opportunity to go to Kiev to visit my aunty from Ukraine, newest member of my big and crazy Italian family. Soon after starting our reunion with a delicious pizza, we went to the city center for a walk, making slowly our way under a quick and unexpected rain. As soon as I reached the heart of the city, I have been conquered by the majesty and beauty of its buildings and churches. Rus-Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture, colorful frescoes and mosaics, baroque churches, terraced gardens, my…Read more
Photography: a new way of looking at reality

Photography: a new way of looking at reality

Photography: a new way of looking at reality   “A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense and is, thereby, a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety”. Ansel Adams Some weeks ago Anna, our coordinator, came up with the idea of providing us with a Media Workshop. A series of interactive meetings on photography techniques, videomaking strategies and composition basic skills. When I heard this, at first I was perplexed, I am sincere. I like art…Read more
FORUM UNOY “Shaping the narratives”: from Theory to Practice.

FORUM UNOY “Shaping the narratives”: from Theory to Practice.

FORUM UNOY “Shaping the narratives”: from Theory to Practice. Last September, I had the pleasure to participate in the FORUM UNOY Shaping the Narrative that was held in the Hague and organized by the United Network of Young Peace-builders. Indeed, the atmosphere was extremely enriching and positive. The main theme and purpose of the FORUM was to exchange experiences and cooperate on actions to foster peace-building in the world and counter hateful narratives. We, young peace-builders, were gathering together coming from different areas of the world with our unique approach to peace-building. It…Read more
Italy vs. Sweden – Let’s talk about music!

Italy vs. Sweden – Let’s talk about music!

We are finally talking about music! It took me some time to write this article, both because it deals with a very important theme that required deep research and hard work and because I’ve been a bit lazy with this blog lately. Or I should probably say “I’ve been very busy lately and couldn’t find the right amount of time to dedicate to this project”. Sweden is definitely a “musical nation”, one of the most musical countries in Europe. Not to mention ABBA and the like, this country is the 3rd exporter of…Read more
My 10 favorite food places in Stockholm (and more) – A non-posh guide for foodies

My 10 favorite food places in Stockholm (and more) – A non-posh guide for foodies

Aren’t you fed up with travel guides suggesting you the pub near the station or the tourist-crowded pizzeria? Eating out can be a quite expensive and stressful activity in Sthlm, so in this list you’re not going to find hip fancy places where they steal your money without really serving you food …Yes, the headline says “food places” because some of them are not exactly restaurants: you’ll find delivery places, kiosks, a fast food stall and a bakery. Here comes the list! Cafè Eldkvarn – ph: Wikipedia Coffee My favorite coffee place in…Read more
LAGOM, not just Hygge

LAGOM, not just Hygge

Lagom, is this untranslatable Swedish word the new Scandinavian trend? In a similar way as hygge, it is a word that describes an important part of the “Scandinavian way of life”.  The Danish hygge, the feeling of well-being that derives from coziness and little pleasures in life, became one of the most popular words last year. So, what does Lagom mean? It can be described as “not too little, not too much, just right”. And it can be used to describe everything: from coffee to apartments, from food to clothes. Some say the…Read more
6 Museums I Love In Stockholm. And 2 I don’t

6 Museums I Love In Stockholm. And 2 I don’t

Since I lived in this city for some 9 months now, I visited many museums and places in Stockholm and its surroundings. It’s worth noticing that many of them are free, or have free entrance days. Enjoy my list! Moderna museet. Some people turn their noses up when it comes to modern art. Well, they could use a visit to Moderna Museet. Its collection includes many different artists and styles, from impressionism and expressionism (19th-20th centuries) to the latest avant-gardes and conceptual art. My three favourite rooms are the one dedicated to Russian…Read more
The end of a beautiful experience

The end of a beautiful experience

My EVS project has reached the finish line. While I look back on these six months, I think there are not enough words to describe the emotions I felt. It is not my first experience abroad, but it is certainly the first experience in which I find myself for such a long period away from home, from relatives and friends, from everyday life. The EVS project was the perfect opportunity to break the mold, and an experience where you put yourself on the line and you can (re)discover yourself.During the last English lesson,…Read more
My trip to UPPSALA – Vikings vs. Reality

My trip to UPPSALA – Vikings vs. Reality

I used to be a big fan of the tv series Vikings (History channel). With time, my appreciation of the show changed very much: I loved the first two seasons, didn’t particularly like the third and literally hated the fourth. Then I stopped watching it. But the fascination with Viking history and culture is still alive in me. So I would like to tell you about a day I spent in Uppsala last month. How are these two things related? In the series -as in real history- Uppsala is depicted as an important religious,…Read more
My Semla Obsession

My Semla Obsession

Tomorrow will be Fat Tuesday (or Shrove Tuesday) and that means you must do two things: 1. Have a semla! 2. Have more semlor (plural form). Semla is a Swedish cream-filled bun traditionally consumed in January-February, around Carnival period. In Finnish is called laskiaispulla and it is popular all over Scandinavia and Baltic region. The bun has its top cut off, and is then filled with almond paste and topped with whipped cream. Here is a video (in Swedish) about the best places to have a semla in Stockholm. Although I am personally one…Read more
An Unexpected Statue

An Unexpected Statue

Last week I went to Nizhnij Novgorod for a training course for the EVS project (training which involved several volunteers, where we discussed various issues relating to the project and the volunteer’s integration in the society of the host Country from many points of view). Coming back from “hot” Nizhnij Novgorod, I found myself again in Krasnoyarsk with an average temperature of -26°. It’s not the only surprise. On the contrary, should not even be. “Federica, you’re in Siberia. What do you expect?”Sure, I did not expect to return to work the following…Read more
Cultural Differences: Italy VS Russia

Cultural Differences: Italy VS Russia

It has been more than three months that I live in Krasnoyarsk and, in the past time, I have been twice in St. Petersburg and once in Moscow. Take what follows as a personal observation, due to a variety of trips and daily life spent in the greatest Country in the world. The first question they asked me when arrived in Krasnoyarsk: have you felt any kind of cultural shock? My answer, in general, is no. Maybe because I already lived in Russia, I know the traditions, and I know exactly what to…Read more
My first months in Krasnoyarsk

My first months in Krasnoyarsk

It is two months I am in Krasnoyarsk, and I am enjoying the city, people and my work so much! At the beginning of July, I have been with my host Aygul and her family to dacha. That was a great experience! For those who do not know, dacha is not a simple country house. Russian people go there both to escape the city, both to work. The culture of dachas is a kind of compensation to a city dweller for the cramped living conditions… There, in the embrace of nature, people enjoy…Read more
Siberia, here I am!

Siberia, here I am!

Hello everyone! My name is Federica and I am the new EVS volunteer at Interra NGO in Krasnoyarsk. I am from Valenza Po, a small town in Piedmont, in the North of Italy. Valenza is an international goldsmith centre, specialized in jewellery production, cradle of the secular handcraft tradition I studied Foreign Languages at the University of Pavia, a town in Lombardy, not so far from Milan. I am specialized in English, French and Russian. I have always been interested in Russian culture, which is why I chose to study that language. This…Read more
LVIV Model UN

LVIV Model UN

LVIV Model UN (MUN) From 13th to 15th of April we had the pleasure to be involved in LVIV Model UN, held at the Ukrainian Catholic University. What is it exactly Model UN about? It is a simulation of the United Nations where delegates take on the roles of diplomats and ambassadors, and discuss how to address some of the world’s most pressing issues. It constitutes a unique opportunity for young people to obtain a multilateral view on world affairs, enhance their conflict resolution capabilities and develop their public speaking skills.   Indeed,…Read more
Caminante, no hay camino

Caminante, no hay camino

Caminante, no hay camino: se hace camino al andar. Walker, there is no path, you make the path as you go. Antonio Machado It has been a week since my first arrival in Lviv and during this time, I have been experiencing a mix of opposing emotions. My flight lasted only two hours, but I felt like I have been thrown into the plot of one of my favorite movies, the lives of others. The district where I am currently living, CИХІV represents my very first approach to this new city. Very old…Read more
Come find me in Stockholm!

Come find me in Stockholm!

Hi! My name is Lorenzo, I am from Italy. I’ve been working in Stockholm at More Mosaic NGO as an EVS volunteer. I studied Languages and International Relations in Turin, my city. Suddenly I felt like I was tired of studying and I wanted to have a learning-by-doing experience before starting a job or any other adventure. So, when a friend told me about this opportunity I seized it immediately. I wanted to work in a multicultural environment and challenge myself. I am interested in European cooperation and most of all… I love…Read more
Hitta mig i Eken!

Hitta mig i Eken!

Over the years, a city gets several different nicknames, such as a person. I was intrigued by Stockholm’s names. Some were just created to attract foreign tourists, such as the Venice of the North. I don't like it because every city is unique. The actual reason for it is that Ragnar Östbergs’ work was influenced by Venice’s buildings such as Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and St. Mark’s Church and he is best known for designing Stockholm City Hall. Stockholm is also called “the Capital of Scandinavia”, but I don’t want to irritate anyone…Read more
Italy vs. Sweden – What do we have in common?

Italy vs. Sweden – What do we have in common?

Let’s get straight to the point: everyone can tell the obviously visible differences between Italy and Sweden. I mean, you don't need my blog to learn how bitter is snus - a deadly combination between a nicotine patch and a tea bag (seriously, how can you become addicted to this?!). But knowing the little similarities …that’s a whole another story. Strangely enough we may have shared a couple of Viking kings when the Normans invaded Southern Italy (but who didn't at that time?) and we have more things in common then you may…Read more
Visiting Stockholms Stadsbibliotek

Visiting Stockholms Stadsbibliotek

I’ve always been kind of an architecture enthusiast and I can assure that this city never disappoints you when it comes to architecture and design. The Stockholm Public Library literally amazed me. It is located near Odenplan metro station, in a very cool and stylish neighbourhood that perfectly fits this architectural jewel. It is called the Stadsbiblioteket and was designed by the mostly reknown representative of Nordic Classicism and Modernism of the 1920s, Erik Gunnar Asplund. If putting together the words Classicism and Modernism might sound strange to your ear, that’s what this…Read more
SWEDEN… let’s talk about holidays!

SWEDEN… let’s talk about holidays!

If you have worked in Sweden or with Swedes for some reasons, from time to time you might have received an automatic response similar to this one: “Hej! I will be on holiday from the 20th of June to the 29th of August. During this time I will not be able to check my email regularly …but if it’s important, you can tweet me using #YOUAREINTERRUPTINGMYVACATION” (or some other comments considered to be funny). Usually it happens when you have just sent a very important email that took you an average of an…Read more
The Path to Integration in Södertälje

The Path to Integration in Södertälje

This interview is part of my research on migration, integration and extremism in Sweden, within the frame of the project SCOPE – ‘Strengthening Youth Capacity for Conflict Management and Peace-Building’, implemented by More Mosaic NGO and co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. I discovered the Syriac Orthodox Church in Sweden by chance: living in and commuting from Södertälje, it’s almost impossible not to see the two big churches of the community and not to meet anyone who has Syrian origins. This lead me to speak with the archbishop – Mor…Read more
Ukraine and Peru : not too far apart

Ukraine and Peru : not too far apart

Ukraine and Peru : not too far apart Ukraine and Peru might suggest complete different countries, as they are at the  opposite side of the world, but they have some similarities. At least from my point of view. Let’s have a look at them! # Ukrainian Mamitas My favorite ones: elderly women selling informally their products on the streets. It’s plenty of Peruvian mamitas here in Ukraine as well. They might have different outfit but same scope and objectives:  taking care of your health and make you wake up with a smile every…Read more