IVY at Central Baltic

Our Interreg Volunteer Sofia has been working here at the JS since 11 September. Sofia has been getting to know our projects, writing about them (stay tuned for content!) and also partaking in our European Cooperation Day celebrations and Annual Event. But who is she? Read her answers in the following chapters :)
 
Where does Sofia Castoldi come from?
I’m from an Italian town between Milan and Lake Como, called Mariano Comense.
 
How did you end up here?
I found out about the Interreg Volunteer Youth project and I soon got interested. I studied Political Science and I am very keen on the European dimension, so participating in the project seemed to me a great opportunity to experience cross-border cooperation in person and work towards stronger cohesion in the EU. The Central Baltic Programme’s one was among the placement offers, I chose it because of my interest in the Programme itself and in the possibility of discovering more about Northern European countries. And so…now I am here!
 
The most interesting fact you have learned about Central Baltic?
Åland Islands and their government, I have to say. Before coming here I had never heard of Åland and it was surprising to learn about them and their special status (and to have the chance to visit them also)!
Then I have to mention the differences about work, the idea of coffee breaks first; it’s always worth it to experience how work is organized in a new country.
 
What's the last song you listened to?
I admit I had to check, but it is a song by a Brazilian band that moved to Italy called Selton.
 
What will you be taking home with you?
The experience of living and working in a foreign country, getting to know Finnish culture and people. And working with Central Baltic Programme’s projects gave me the possibility to feel the connection that exists between the different regions in the area as well.