My intense three-week experience in Vienna!

Hi, I'm Ludovica Fraccalvieri, I come from Altamura and I just turned 18.

I had a short term European Solidarity Corps experience. Specifically, I was in Vienna and I participated in a three-week project with the Grenzenlos association, focused on inclusion. The young people in my group not only came from different cultures, but also from completely different ways of life, in fact among us there was a refugee girl and two boys with severe disabilities.

During the three weeks of exchange, we had the exciting task to create a performance aimed at making people understand that diversity often represents a value and an asset, and that differences in real life can be overcome if you really want to.

They were very intense weeks also dedicated to the discovery of the city and the deepening of relationships between the group members. Vienna is a jewel and it really fascinated me, as no other city before.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t learn much German, apart from the usual words of greetings and thanks, both for the short time spent in Austria and because, coming from different countries, we had to communicate only in English.

As for the discovery of local life, fortunately we could get closer to the "Viennese nightlife" mainly attending the Danube area where there were several clubs and a lot of young people; we visited many bars, pubs, typical restaurants, and above all we took a swim in what they call "the pool" that is the Danube. I think those were the best moments in which I was able to really see what the Austrians were like on hot August Sundays, and even have a close encounter with an Austrian swan!

I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and even before the experience ended, I knew I wanted to replicate it as soon as possible for a longer period.

At the end of my studies, or maybe earlier, I really hope to have the chance to actively be an ESC volunteer again and be able to tell many other new stories!

Updated on Tirsdag, 17/02/2026