Bonjour, my name is Jordan and bienvenue! I am an artist from the states. If you will be volunteering at La Giruadiere in the near future or are considering it, hopefully I can share some useful insight into the project and experience. The project itself is immensely unique, making the experience a one of kind for each individual. We all have our own personal reasons as to why we are here. For example, I have never been to Europe, nor have I ever traveled independently. I found La Giruadiere, and right away knew it would be the right fit. The project gave me the opportunity to be immersed in France, a place I have always been drawn to. La Giruadiere also allowed me to travel alone in a safe, convenient, and cost-efficient way.  The project itself curates to the individual, meaning that the volunteer work is constructed to play on your personal strengths while strengthening any desired skills. There is something for everyone, and that is another reason why La Giruadiere is special and beneficial to all. I also just recently graduated college and La Giruadiere served as a perfect way to transition into the workforce. I came back from the volunteering with more confidence and clairvoyance. People from all over the world, from every background come together here for a shared purpose. This shared purpose being the opportunity to gain invaluable volunteer experience, exposure to new cultures, and to contribute to projects such as the one approaching, YERRF. What I found to be most cherished of the experience is all the wonderful people you meet along the way. People are constantly arriving and going during your stay, so you are introduced and living with multiple different people, each offering a new perspective and a new story.

Read the rest of my LG story here (A Volunteer’s Voyage Through South West France)