Coming here my goals are to learn about the Irish culture, admire and discover the beautiful nature, meet and support the communities of County Leitrim, and of course, share experiences and life with amazing my roommates!
Meet the young people that have worked with us over the years
Sustainability
Advocacy
Volunteering
Education
Demat ! Hello everyone!
My name is Chloe. I’m 23 years old, and I’m from Brittany, more specifically from Plouvorn, a small village near Roscoff. Roscoff is well known for its famous Roscoff onions, a local specialty that we are very proud of.
I’m curious and always eager to discover new things. I enjoy practising yoga, going for walks in nature, watching movies, and cooking.
Last year, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Development and Marketing. For some time, I had wanted to live abroad, and Ireland quickly became the obvious choice.
Why Ireland? First of all, to improve my English, but also to develop new skills, discover Irish culture, and experience the Irish way of life.
I chose to join Good Energies Alliance Ireland (GEAI) because I wanted to learn more about environmental issues and the initiatives being implemented to support the energy transition in Ireland.
My journey began in Brest, where I took a flight to Dublin. When I arrived at Dublin Airport, I had to catch a bus, but it was more than thirty minutes late. I was a little stressed because I thought I had missed it.
Fortunately, everything went very well. I was warmly welcomed by Gaia and the other volunteers, which immediately made me feel comfortable.
I arrived at the house around midnight. I was very tired after such a long day of travelling. The people who welcomed me kindly offered me a cup of tea, which I gladly accepted.
I discovered a lovely house located near a lake, surrounded by beautiful scenery. From the moment I arrived, I found the place peaceful and welcoming.
I’m looking forward to the rest of this experience: meeting new people, taking part in the different GEAI projects, and discovering everything this adventure in Ireland will bring me, both personally and professionally.
I’m curious and always eager to discover new things. I enjoy practising yoga, going for walks in nature, watching movies, and cooking.
Last year, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Development and Marketing. For some time, I had wanted to live abroad, and Ireland quickly became the obvious choice.
Why Ireland? First of all, to improve my English, but also to develop new skills, discover Irish culture, and experience the Irish way of life.
I chose to join Good Energies Alliance Ireland (GEAI) because I wanted to learn more about environmental issues and the initiatives being implemented to support the energy transition in Ireland.
My journey began in Brest, where I took a flight to Dublin. When I arrived at Dublin Airport, I had to catch a bus, but it was more than thirty minutes late. I was a little stressed because I thought I had missed it.
Fortunately, everything went very well. I was warmly welcomed by Gaia and the other volunteers, which immediately made me feel comfortable.
I arrived at the house around midnight. I was very tired after such a long day of travelling. The people who welcomed me kindly offered me a cup of tea, which I gladly accepted.
I discovered a lovely house located near a lake, surrounded by beautiful scenery. From the moment I arrived, I found the place peaceful and welcoming.
I’m looking forward to the rest of this experience: meeting new people, taking part in the different GEAI projects, and discovering everything this adventure in Ireland will bring me, both personally and professionally.
Hi! My name is Yegor, and I’m from Kyiv, Ukraine. My city is right in the heart of the country — and it’s also the capital. I really love Kyiv because it has a long, beautiful history. I studied graphic design, and I’ve worked in a design studio on big projects. But volunteering is completely new for me. I was genuinely happy to become part of GEAI, because climate change has mattered to me since I was a kid — I even joined a climate march in Kyiv. Ireland feels like an amazing place to start my volunteering journey in climate action and environmental protection.
I’m a very active person. I enjoy life, try to live in the moment, and I love experimenting with new things. When I was at university, I took part in a lot of student organizations. During those years, I tried many different sports and activities and travelled to lots of cities. I like testing new hobbies, figuring out what really fits me, and learning more about myself. I’ve always been open to new ideas — for example, I’m a fan of Stoic philosophy. In short: if something new appears, I’m usually ready to give it a try.
As someone who believes global problems can only be solved through global cooperation, I see this project as a great chance to grow in that direction. That’s why I’d like to work with organizations that do meaningful work and collaborate to support the transition to a more environmentally sustainable future. At that point, I realized this project could be an amazing learning experience — and also a way for me to make a real contribution. I didn’t come to Ireland alone — I arrived with my twin brother, Hleb. I came to Ireland as a refugee from Ukraine. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of my country, killed many people, and I was forced to leave. I joined GEAI because a friend of my mom once volunteered with GEAI — and now I do too. It still feels a bit surreal.
I hope that through my time at GEAI I’ll meet wonderful new friends, improve myself in many ways, and collect a lot of good memories.
Hello! My name is Gleb, I’m 23 years old, and I come from Ukraine.
When I think about what has shaped me the most, the first thing that comes to mind is people — their stories, their struggles, and their incredible ability to keep going even when life feels overwhelming. Understanding this strength has always fascinated me, and that curiosity is what led me to psychology.
I chose this field not only as a career, but as a way of seeing the world. I studied psychology at university and had the opportunity to work in this field back home in Ukraine. During this time, I learned how deeply emotions, relationships, and life experiences influence who we are. Every conversation, every client, every story taught me something new about empathy and resilience. The more I learned, the more I realized that psychology is not just about theory — it’s about real human connection.
I have always been interested in how people cope with difficult life situations. How do they find the strength to move forward? What helps them heal? And how can simple support change someone’s life?
These questions slowly brought me closer to volunteering.
At some point, I understood that I didn’t want my knowledge to stay only within textbooks or offices — I wanted to use it to make a practical difference. For me, being useful, supporting others, and contributing to positive change became something deeply personal. Outside of psychology, I’m passionate about self-development, observing people, and exploring topics related to mental health and society. I believe that even small actions can create meaningful change, especially when they come from care and compassion. Joining the GEAI project became a natural next step for me.
It gave me the chance to step outside my comfort zone, meet people from different cultures, improve my English, and develop both professionally and socially. Most importantly, it allowed me to become part of a team that shares the same values — kindness, support, and the desire to make the world a little better.
This experience feels like the beginning of a new chapter in my life — one where I continue learning, growing, and helping others along the way.
And honestly, I can’t wait to see where this journey will take me next.
My name is Arwen, I’m 20 years old, and I’ve always traveled a lot. I was born in France, in Saint-Grégoire, and just after my birth my parents took me to live in Ireland for three years. We lived very close to where I am now, and it feels surreal to come back here 17 years later with no memories of that time.
After those three years in Ireland, I spent 15 years in New Caledonia, a little piece of French paradise in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I had some wonderful years there and met people who became more than just friends – they became family.
After all that time, I wanted to see something new, to discover the world and its many cultures, different ways of thinking, and languages. I talked about it with my mum, who wanted to return to France, since we were 17,000 km away from the family I barely knew. So, on February 17, 2023, we moved back to France, and a new life began. I felt a bit lost, but still young, and my thirst for experiences and my need to give meaning to my life pushed me forward. I’ve always had a dream: to become an air traffic controller. When I arrived in France, I started to learn more about my family and discovered that two of them had served
in the French Navy. While doing some research, I came across something interesting: a one year program where, every weekend, I could experience military life. I applied, went through interviews, and suddenly – there I was, in the military for a year! And I loved it. At the same time, I was finishing high school. I had chosen scientific subjects – mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology – because I’ve always had a strong passion for science in all its forms, whether environmental, medical, or technological. Later, I decided to specialize in naval aviation, and in a way, all my travels only strengthened that choice. One thing I have always loved, whether on a boat, on a plane, or even from the window of a car, is looking at the ocean. It has always fascinated me – vast, powerful, and mysterious – and it has been a constant presence throughout my life. I think that’s why both science and the environment have always attracted me, even when I didn’t fully realize it. But still, something was missing: English. I spoke to my dad, and he told me: “Go to Ireland!” That was it. After passing my final exams (and succeeding!), I packed up all my stuff – my car, my endless “girl things,” and a ferry ticket for me and my car – and set off for Ireland, a country I already knew… or so I thought!
So here I am now in Ballinaglera, working at GEAI, living an experience I’ll never forget. I was welcomed by two lovely Italian girls who showed me the house we live in, gave me a tour of the office, and explained the projects we’re working on. I’m now discovering the world of environmental work, part of an incredible team with different cultures, languages, and ideas. That’s the beauty of it: every day you learn from others, from yourself, and from projects I never imagined I’d be involved in.
For years, I dreamed of living abroad, and I finally took the big leap after graduating. I found myself searching for something without a clear direction, but deep down, I knew exactly what I wanted: total immersion in the English language, a country full of opportunities, and the chance to deepen my theoretical knowledge.
This is where Ireland and GEAI came into play. I wanted to improve my skills in politics and social media, exploring topics that are very close to my heart, like environmental policies and sustainable development.
Plus, the chance to explore new places and build genuine connections with people who share my values made this opportunity simply perfect.
My journey was long but smooth.
On August 27th, I took a flight from Turin to Dublin, then waited for the bus that took me to Carrick-on-Shannon. Waiting for me there was a car, and with it, the first real sign that this new life was really beginning: someone was driving me “home.”
I wasn’t sure if I was more excited about the landscape or the fact that I didn’t have to drag my suitcase all the way to the village!
I arrived at my new home (OMG! It feels so strange to write that) when it was already dark. I was exhausted, but the person who would become my first roommate welcomed me in the sweetest and warmest way possible.
This first week has been full of firsts: first time moving to a new city, first time living outside Italy, first week of this brand-new life of mine! Isn’t it crazy how much things can change in such a short time?
I still can’t get over how the kindness and beauty of this place manage to surprise me every day.
Here I am: immensely grateful, perpetually confused by the weather, but somehow exactly where I’m supposed to be.
And if this first week is just the trailer, I can’t wait to see what the full movie looks like… Stay tuned!
Ciao! My name is Gaia, I grew up in a small town near Padova, called Montegrotto Terme, in the North East of Italy, one of the things that I love the most about my hometown are the Colli Euganei, a group of hills of volcanic origin where I used to go with my grandpa for long hikes.
My language of expression is creativity and I am very passionate about art and sociology because I think both are good tools to understand the human nature and how societies work.
My deep love for Cinema led me to get a Bachelor’s degree in Art, Music and Performance Disciplines at the University of Padova, which was founded in 1222 and is among the oldest Universities in the world.
Later I understood that the right path for me should combine creativity with the digital world, so in 2024 I graduated in 3D Art for Videogames.
After that I started an Intership as a graphic and tecnical designer for custom forniture in a small company, but inside me the desire of experience new realities and to broaden my horizons began to take hold.
And here comes Geai: I wanted to develop my skills in research, graphic design and social media, and to deepen my knowledge on causes that are very important to me, such as climate activism, biodiversity, and sustainable energy. All of this, combined with the opportunity to travel and create meaningful connections with people who share my values, felt like the perfect opportunity for me at that moment in my life.
Hello ! Bonjour !
My name is Aurélie, I’m from France, the country of cheese, wine and bread !
I come from a little village next to a small town in the northwest of France called : Angers ! This city is famous for its amazing castle next to the Maine and the Loire rivers !
I graduated in Tourism, and just recently got a bachelor degree. I decided to step back from my studies to travel, discover the world and the different cultures around me.
It all started during my gap year, three years ago, when I volunteered for 9 months at the “House of Europe”. That’s where I first discovered the ESC program, and the amount of possibilities to volunteer abroad with the European Union.
Naturally, after my studies I did an ESC program of 2 months in Romania ! I really enjoyed living with 14 others international volunteers, working together, sharing experiences, and meeting the locals communities. So, after returning to my hometown, I knew I had to go abroad again! That’s where GEAI and the Ireland appeared to me !
My journey to Ireland started very early because, unfortunately, there is no airport in my town. I had to travel an hour and a half by car to the nearest airport.
I flew from Nantes, and landed harshly but safely at Dublin airport. Then, I took an “express bus” to finally arrive in Carrick-on-Shannon at 3pm.
My first impression and thought of Ireland was “Oh yes, they drive on the left!” and being scared at every single roundabouts !
Arriving in Carrick, My lovely future roommates picked me up, and we went to eat at the Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo! First taste of the Irish life !
Coming here my goals are to learn about the Irish culture, admire and discover the beautiful nature, meet and support the communities of County Leitrim, and of course, share experiences and life with amazing my roommates!
I love asking questions – one of my favorites has to be: If you could go anywhere right now, where would you go? Interestingly enough, Ireland has always been at the top of my list. Having grown up in rural Germany and later getting the chance to call the Black Forest and the Adirondacks my home, nature has always been a big part of my life. Well, until I moved to Vienna, which, against popular belief, is, in fact, not a very green city. However, I’m sure there’s a universal consensus on the beauty of the city, and I was happy to call Vienna home during my studies in political science.
After my studies, I knew that I wanted to take some time to apply the newly acquired knowledge in the field – which eventually led me to now sit in the community center of Ballinaglera (I must admit: I still have to Google how to spell this place) to work with GEAI. During my time here, I am particularly interested in environmental policy and sustainable development, while always making sure to pack my hiking boots wherever I go in case of spontaneous hiking opportunities.
Since my joining GEAI was rather spontaneous, my travels have been equally dynamic… I arrived at Dublin Airport around 8 am, needing to wait a few more hours for the bus that would take me to Carrick-on-Shannon. I tried hard to stay awake during the bus ride, mesmerized by the roaring fields and still slightly confused about the direction of travel.
To our surprise, the sun greeted me in Carrick-on-Shannon, and my first lunch introduced me to some bits of Irish culture, such as talking to strangers about the weather. Since I, too, love chatting with strangers, I’m excited about my time here – hoping to engage in as many of those conversations as possible. Indeed, most of those chats will include: “I haven’t seen the sun in a while” – which my fellow volunteers and I are documenting through a tally in our kitchen.
The house we live in already feels like home – we have a fantastic view of Lough Allen and plenty of space to call our own. So, within our four walls, it will always feel like summer, as the other volunteers are not only my colleagues but also my friends and my family for my time in Ireland (and certainly beyond).
I’m Icía, and my journey has brought me to Ireland. Although this isn’t my first move to a new city, it is my first time living outside of Spain—an exciting challenge I eagerly embrace.
I was born in Ourense, a small city in northern Galicia with a unique charm. Later, I moved to Madrid to study Chemical Engineering, and that period deeply marked me, not only for what I learned but also for the friendships I made.
In the end, morriña (homesickness in Galician) brought me back to Galicia. After spending time in Santiago de Compostela, I moved to Vigo, where I first experienced coastal city life. I would definitely consider returning there someday.
For years, I had been dreaming of living abroad, and I finally took the leap. Why Ireland? I wanted full immersion in English, which I had been seeking. I had also visited the country a few years ago, and what impressed me the most was how friendly the people are.
Despite its reputation, I don’t find the weather that bad. I’ve adapted quite well. I also can’t forget to mention the breathtaking natural surroundings: green landscapes, cliffs, mountains… It’s a paradise for anyone who loves nature.
And why GEAI? With my background in sustainable environmental solutions for industry, this project offers the perfect opportunity to gain hands-on experience, explore new ways of working, and contribute to a cause that truly matters.
On February 1st, I had an early start. I woke up at 4:30 AM to begin a long journey, which involved two flights and a bus ride. Fortunately, the trip went smoothly, and nothing unusual happened, which made the long travel day a bit easier.
When I arrived at Dublin Airport, one thing immediately stood out: all the signs were written first in Irish and then in English. It clearly showed how important the Irish culture is to the country.
The bus trip was long, but it gave me my first real experience of local customs. I had read that in Ireland, it’s common for passengers to thank the driver when getting off the bus. Watching everyone do it so naturally was a lovely detail. During the journey, I admired the iconic green landscapes of Ireland—vast fields, scattered houses, and a grey sky always threatening rain.
By the afternoon, I finally arrived in Carrick-On-Shannon, where Aedin was waiting for me. Despite my exhaustion, seeing a familiar face made me feel instantly more at ease. Around 3 or 4 PM, we went to eat at Honestly. Over lunch, she told me about the chaos caused by Storm Éowyn in the area.
This storm had been one of the strongest in recent years, with winds reaching up to 183 km/h near Galway—breaking records that had stood since 1945. Over a million homes and businesses lost electricity. So, my arrival didn’t exactly come at the best time!
Once I got home, I was lucky enough to take the best room since no other volunteers had arrived yet. The house has a spectacular view of the lake, and I loved it from the first moment. It’s spacious, cozy, and has an open kitchen-living area that will surely become our gathering spot. The next day, I explored the surroundings and found the perfect running path for someday.
That night, I had dinner with some members of GEAI, and I got to try a traditional Christmas dish: Roast Stuffed Turkey & Ham. It’s roasted turkey with a classic stuffing made of breadcrumbs, onion, celery, and herbs like parsley. A hearty and comforting meal—perfect for a chilly evening. It was a great opportunity to get to know everyone better and start adapting to my new environment.
On Monday, I went to The Hall, where several neighbors gathered to charge their devices, warm up, and chat. One thing I’ve already noticed is that people here love to talk and are genuinely interested in getting to know your background.
My arrival didn’t go exactly as I had imagined, but I’m sure the next few months will bring plenty of learning, adventures, and new friendships.