My three months in Denmark
Everything began a little over a year ago, when by chance I came across an announcement for a Humana People to People scholarship that offered the opportunity to take part in a ten-month international volunteering program.
The first three months of training would take place in Denmark, at an international school called DRH Lindersvold, followed by six months in Africa or India, dedicated to cooperation projects focused on agriculture, health, community empowerment, and education.
The final month, again in Denmark, would be devoted to reflection and to presenting what we had experienced and learned.
I sent in my application almost as a joke, convinced I would hardly receive a reply. And yet… a month later, just like a Christmas present, I received a call from Federica at Humana who, full of joy, told me that I had been selected. I burst into tears of happiness and started jumping around, unable to contain my excitement.
I felt that Africa was getting closer: deep down, I knew I would go there, after so many years spent dreaming about it.
I love traveling, but not as a tourist. I want to live the world, to discover it slowly, and to do something meaningful, contribute to planting seeds of love and kindness to make it a more beautiful place. And love, today more than ever, is essential.
This opportunity felt like the perfect one.
I finished my Erasmus year in Bordeaux, returned home for the summer, and finally reunited with my family. I spent my days in the library writing my thesis: I absolutely had to graduate in the September session in order to leave again in October for Denmark. And I made it!
The adventure could finally begin.
I clearly remember the emotions before leaving: the fear of the cold and dark northern winter, the thousands of questions running through my mind (Will I make friends? What awaits me? Did I make the right choice? Why am I here? Will I feel at home?).
But above all, the adrenaline of new beginnings, when you know you’re throwing yourself into the unknown and are ready to be surprised by what life has in store for you. My heart pounding wildly, that “fear of falling but desire to fly” that Jovanotti sings about, and the feeling of having the whole world in front of me, waiting.
I arrived in Lindersvold, near Faxe, just south of Copenhagen.
It’s a place far from everything, inhabited almost only by animals—quiet and peaceful—very close to the sea and a fjord where you can admire breathtaking sunrises.
It’s surrounded by fields, and the sky, opening up 180 degrees, fills your eyes and your lungs.
I began to meet the people with whom I would share this adventure: we come from different countries, have different ages and stories, but we are united by that something that brought us all here.
The school is huge: we live, sleep, eat, and attend classes here. We also take turns cleaning and cooking.
The days are intense and well structured: lessons, activities, meetings, study tasks, everything runs according to precise schedules.
Ahh, everyone knows it: schedules and I live in completely different galaxies. I even reached the point where my friends woke me up in the morning by tickling my feet, telling me that class had already started.
And yet, over time, I improved… at least a little. Believe it or not, I eventually became the “time management manager” of my group (yes, it sounds like a joke!).
The first weeks in Denmark felt endless, and more than once I thought those months would never end. Besides the change in daily rhythms (in Denmark, dinner is at 6 p.m.!), I felt the lack of sunlight, the shortening of the days, and the sense of not being able to find enough time and space for myself, overwhelmed by constant group activities.
Then, something changed. When we started forming deeper bonds, when I began to feel “at home” and to carve out time for myself, the days started to fly by without me even noticing. Waking up in the morning thinking about seeing my friends again, sharing laughter, and living through even the most boring moments together made the days incredibly more beautiful.
Later on, we formed smaller working groups, and that’s how the Pesci Joe were born: we fit together perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle.
There’s Sofy, the best roommate I could have ever dreamed of, who with her sweetness, care, and warm hugs makes everyone feel welcomed and safe.
Then there’s Samu, with a heart as big as the world, incredibly perceptive and understanding. With him, I laughed so hard I almost peed myself (maybe also because of all the licorice tea we drank together). Ah, what a crazy person!
There’s Dani, often desperately searching for his water bottle, who, just like a gardener with his plants, takes care of all of us through small gestures and kind words. A true gentleman, with an infectious laugh.
Then comes Christian, the hurricane: always ready to leave for extreme adventures, but also always willing to help and give advice. Just like a grandmother, he made sure we all gained weight with his recipes.
And finally, there’s Silvia, our teacher. She is special: she puts passion into everything she does and is kindness personified.
I will always carry with me, wherever I go, a piece of each of them and of all the extraordinary people I met here, people who taught me not to leave anyone behind and to take care of one another. Together, everything becomes more beautiful.
Other things that made my days brighter were the sunsets when the sky seemed to catch fire, leaving me speechless in front of nature, the yoga sessions, and the intense workouts with Roberta that always ended with long conversations in the gym until 11 p.m.
During these months, we also painted classrooms, interviewed people on the streets for social research, visited the Humana People to People headquarters in Denmark and even the one in Milan, where we stayed for five days. There, I recharged my energy thanks to the sun, my family, and my best friend who came to visit me.
There, we also learned more about Humana and its history: in short, it collects second-hand clothes, resells them in its shops, and uses the profits to support projects in agriculture, education, and community development around the world, especially in Africa.
We also had two free weekends, which I used to explore Copenhagen a bit. I loved it in autumn, when the trees turn red and orange and I listened to Red by Taylor Swift in my headphones.
Meanwhile, in November, we finally formed duos and trios and were ready to choose the projects and countries where we would spend six months. The options were Zambia, India, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In my heart, from the moment I discovered that Congo was among the possibilities, I felt that I had to go there, to the heart of Africa, to a country that fascinates and deeply intrigues me. I clearly remember those days of choosing: tension, doubts, long meetings that seemed endless. But in the end, things always turn out the way they’re meant to, and everyone chooses what truly feels right for them.
Tears of joy ran down my face when I realized I would be going to Congo. I would leave with Christian.
I couldn’t believe it: so it’s true, dreams really do come true if you believe in them with all your heart.
The project is called Child Aid Nutrition and focuses on agriculture, nutrition, and hygiene. That very evening, I started studying Lingala, the local language spoken in the region. I was incredibly motivated to start learning a foreign language again.
For the visa, I even flew to the Congolese embassy in Stockholm: every day, I felt closer to departure.
The days passed faster and faster, and the thought of saying goodbye became more and more present.
But the adventure wasn’t over yet. On the second-to-last day, before returning to Turin to celebrate Christmas with my family, Samu and I decided to go watch the sunrise by the sea (the sun never showed up, but the sea is always worth it).
Then we went to play on the trampolines, and while having the time of our lives, I twisted my ankle. A few hours later, my foot swelled up and the pain was intense, it seemed broken. I got around the school in a wheelchair or even being carried in someone’s arms.
The last evening was dedicated to reflection, sharing moments, and reading the little letters we had written to each other. It was a truly special moment.
I kept wondering how we would manage. How I would manage to leave friends who had become essential, who lit up even the darkest days with hugs, crazy laughter, and jokes.
Oh, how many beautiful people there are in the world!
Then came the day of returning home, a true journey of hope: me unable to walk, without crutches, with buses that never seemed to arrive.
But in the end, I made it home!
I spent my first evening at the hospital with my parents (a very alternative first evening together, haha). I always manage to get myself into trouble, after all!
Against all expectations, my foot wasn’t broken, just sprained. I would need to rest for about twenty days, but at least the trip to Congo wasn’t compromised.
After the Christmas holidays at home, surrounded by cuddles and affection, I recharged my energy.
Right now, I’m back in Denmark. It’s snowing, and the school is filled with new people starting their journey and others who have just returned.
All my friends, instead, left yesterday for Zambia and India.
I feel so many emotions all at once: the sadness that comes with closing a chapter, the pain of saying goodbye, but also the adrenaline and happiness that come from knowing that we are all about to live an extraordinary experience. Estamos cumpliendo a pleno nuestro destino!
It’s a whirlwind of emotions that makes me feel ALIVE.
And now, yes I can finally say it: tomorrow I will leave for the Congo, for my beloved Africa.🌻🌍
