ARCHELON once more is hosting two incredible EVS volunteers who came in Greece in order to help with the protection of sea turtles. As part of EVS (European Voluntary Service in the context of ERASMUS+) programme they get accommodation, food allowance, pocket money, mentoring but also they have the chance to get to know the Greek culture and language and get experience in the rehabilitation of a threatened species. We asked them why they wanted to do EVS programme and why they chose ARCHELONʼs projects as well as to tell us few words on their experience up to now, and this is what they answered. From ARCHELON point of view we would like to thank them for their continuing interest and help of all these months they have stayed in the project.

Santos Claudia from Luxembourg

After school I didnʼt really know what would be the next step. Of course, going to university was part of my plan but I guess I needed some more time before starting my future studies. Thatʼs how I decided to do a voluntary service and when I heard about the EVS program all my doubts flew away because I didnʼt have to depend financially on my mother since I would be provided with pocket money.

Why Archelon? When I heard about the project I was immediately interested not only because it was about animals but also because it was about sea turtles, the kind of animals that you definitely donʼt get to see in Luxembourg and I always had been interested in the marine environment. The country where I would do my voluntary service didnʼt play such an important role as long as I liked the project. Thatʼs how I ended up in Greece, a country that I barely knew, but I was determined and I still am to get to know it better. Up to now I had a great experience, I didnʼt only learn about the sea turtles but also about life in general and for that I am really thankful. I met so many amazing people who helped me to become the person I am today. This experience definitely changed my life in a positive way and it is probably as a confident young woman that I will leave Greece.

Berglin Victor from Sweden

Why ARCHELON?
My sending organisation asked me if I was interested to go to Greece and work with injured sea turtles. Which I was and it was here I ended up 2 weeks after they asked me.

Why sea turtles?
I just wanted to try something new and different from Sweden as possible plus to get new experience. I also wanted the opportunity to live in another country where you live with people that is from allover the world.

How is your experience up to now?
It has been great, I have learned a lot about turtles. But I have also learned so much from other people that I have lived with which was also something I wanted to do.

Why did you want to participate in EVS?
Mostly to try something new, to live in another country with other people plus to work with animals we donʼt have in my country. Also to make a lot of contacts over the world which I have.

The EVS (European Voluntary Service) of ERASMUS+ is Co-funded by the European Union.