GEAI Past Volunteers stories
This special edition blogpost focuses on previous volunteers of GEAI. First one to reach out to us was Silvia from Italy, who volunteered at GEAI from September 2020 until August 2021. Her reflection from the year:
“It was a tough year because we were still living the covid-related restriction so we couldn’t experience a lot of events and Ireland’s traditions. Still, it was an incredible year and sometimes it feels like a dream. The experience has left me with an increased love for nature, the countryside and small communities that love their home. After that year I went on with my studies and graduated as an ecologist in the Netherlands. I then worked with WWF in Italy (where I’m originally from) and now I’m looking for a new job and considering doing a PhD. We’ll see what the future holds for me.”
Then, not only one, but two people wrote to us at once, Victor and Liv.
About Victor:
“My name’s Victor, I volunteered for GEAI from June 2023 to July 2024. I’m currently an engineer in a cooperative called Energies en Nord Est in Charleville-Mézières, in France, they work on renewable energies. What my volunteering taught me is:
– cultural differences
– social life
– wait for the directors to have an idea of what they want to do before following orders, and make suggestions
– don’t hesitate facing people when they are disrespectful (in a polite way if possible )
– Ireland is a beautiful country
And i also met my girlfriend at GEAI (Erasmus couple is a true thing ) “
About Liv, who volunteered for GEAI from 2023 to 2024:
“I’m from Germany and currently studying geoecology in Tübingen, a small town here. The field is a mix of biology and geography/geosciences and I’m learning a lot about the science behind environmental challenges plus a general scientific background. My works in GEAI haven’t directly led me to study this as I wanted to study it already before coming to Ireland but they rather enforced it. I really loved my volunteering experience in Ireland and still think of it often. I’m most grateful for having met so many nice people, especially within the volunteer group. We were four people back then and spent 8 months together, all of us from different countries. I also loved the countryside life and getting away from school stress. Another great thing was that I met my boyfriend there, he also was a volunteer with me and we’ve been together since 2½ years now.”
Liv and Victor
The fourth person to reach out to us was Arnaud:
“I was a volunteer in 2023, I spent 8 months here and it was a formidable experience. A lot of new encounters, lots of roadtrips and parties. It was so good professionally too, it permitted to realize what I like and dislike at work, have more competences and trust in my abilities. I loved it so much that I wanted to stay in Ireland.
After my return in France I found a job as technician in “entertainment”, so I basically build stages, sound system, lightning for festivals, fashion field, committee, businesses, etc. So unfortunately it’s not in the environment field, even if we are trying to be more environnemental-conscious ^^ “
Arnaud’s job now
Thank you for all previous volunteers for contacting us and if any more of you would like to reach out, don’t hesitate!
