Julia Kolb
J. Kolb - My Greek experience
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Julia Kolb is a Bachelor in Pre-Primary Education student and in her third year of training. She did an internship in Corinth (Greece), at the 'Cheriapsies' project run by Aletheia RCS and two other Non-Governmental Organisations in support of the refugee camps in Corinth and Athens, during the spring semester 2023/2024.
How did your interest in a mobility period come about?
I have always believed that work experiences in other contexts were a source of development for various skills. In this sense, my interest stems from a strong desire to broaden my outlook and allow me to gain meaningful experience for my professional profile. Moreover, I have always nurtured curiosity in coming into contact with realities far removed from my own.
What did you do at the university/host structure?
I worked with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in support of the Corinth refugee camp in Greece. There were a plurality of tasks and services that the organisation offers differing in various aspects; from medical care to recreational and social. In general, the organisation tries to offer services where there is a lack on the part of the camp. People confined to the camp are in a prolonged stalemate. They are thus offered - in addition to the care support aspects - a place where they can learn new languages, where they can spend convivial moments, where they can find some peace of mind away from the place where everything is still and fragile.
What will you particularly remember about this experience?
The strength and resilience of the people I met. I never expected to hear story lines whispering to me about the vulnerability of life, of love, of hope, and to see in the person's eyes all the resilience and strength that allows them to move forward, to claim the right to a life, a love and a hope that is safe and dignified.
Would you recommend this experience to other students and why?
Absolutely, an experience of this kind allows you not only to acquire and develop important intercultural skills - which are necessary today in every field of work - but also to broaden your outlook on the world and in fact to place yourself in this complex dynamic of life and identity.