KSU student participated in a volunteer project on Gotland island
Ruslan Shaferstov, a 3rd-year student at the Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Sport of Kherson State University, took part in the two-week volunteer project Reblue Gotland, held on the island of Gotland, Sweden.
The main themes of the project were permaculture and eco-friendly living. Working alongside volunteers from various countries, Ruslan helped establish a garden: together, the participants developed its concept, worked with wood, cleared the grounds, painted, sanded, and built raised planter boxes.
An important component of the volunteering was international communication in English, which allowed the student to improve his speaking skills and listening comprehension. In their free time, the participants explored the island of Gotland and the town of Visby, walked along the Baltic Sea coast, went cycling, and spent evenings together.
"When I saw this project, I felt an inner calling to go there. Volunteers with different backgrounds gathered here, united by the goal of protecting our planet. I wanted to see the life of an eco-village from the inside—a place where democracy and mutual support prevail and everything is decided collectively—and, most importantly, to find like-minded people to create new opportunities.
My first impressions were a pleasant surprise: people here have an easygoing attitude toward material things and deep respect for one another. Everyone comes from different parts of the world, yet everyone speaks English freely. Communicating in an English-speaking environment paid off—I started speaking better and understanding more by listening. Everyday life and a healthy lifestyle were clear from day one, so there was no culture shock," Ruslan shared.
Participating in the international volunteer project was an opportunity for the student to gain new experience, improve his language skills, connect with like-minded people from different countries, and learn more about eco-friendly living.
The Reblue Gotland project was funded by the European Union under the European Solidarity Corps program.