Hi all!

I first visited San Patrignano on October 24th, 2014. I was 19 years old at the time, and was only able to visit for about half a day. I'd gone after reading an article about San Patrignano's unconventional business and substance abuse counseling model, and though my visit was brief, I was profoundly influenced. I was amazed by the people I met, their stories, but also the grounds themselves – their sheer size, as well as the careful attention to detail (like with the grape-leaf emblazoned ceilings in the wine cellars, see picture) and the genuine disposition of everyone I seemed to encounter.

Now... I'm going back!

I am choosing to return to San Patrignano (located in Rimini, Italy) in order to attent their 8th International workshop, which "has been developed to respond to the large number of request for visits and internships at San Patrignano, to share our expertise and offer a unique experience of our community."  

This is meaningful for me because my initial visit to SP was the reason I first joined WWOOF USA and involved myself in over two seasons worth of farm and eco-hospitality work in NW Montana, and also the reason I departed my Comparative Literature studies at Boston University in favor of the more hands-on approach to be found at The Evergreen State College. Since arriving at Evergreen in September of 2016, I have studied indigenous relations (focusing on wellness and substance abuse), and sustainability in business and accounting. I am currently working on a furniture design course (focusing on sustainability in woodworking), Eastern psychology (focusing on destructive emotion and mindfulness), and continuing my Russian language studies. Anybody who knows me at all knows these were big (and important!) changes for me.

Attending the 8th International workshop at San Patrignano will hopefully impact my education and career by further developing my sense of personal direction, and by providing me with a newfound understanding of an "economic model that serves society and promotes the growth of responsibility, sustainability and inclusivity advancements in social issues" i.e. combining my two main professional interests: profit and sustainability. Plus, ever since my visit in 2014, I vowed to one day return for the workshop. So, here we are. 

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Day 1: Full-day Positive Economy Forum. Organzined in cooperation with Positive Planet.
Day 2: Lectures on the role and dynamics of admission: with a focus on the assessment of motivational elements, alternative sentencing measures, and preparing for admission. 
Day 3: Lectures on pre-admission requirements, incl. medical check-ups for drug-related diseases, and introduction to the community program. 
Day 4: Preliminary tour of the grounds; experiencing the labs (vocational training).
Day 5: Lectures on job training (including how to nurture individuals' talents, and how sports + leisure time support the complex process of recovery) as well as addressing age/gender/parenting issues. 
Day 6: Lectures focusing on understanding San Patrignano's organizational and economic model, as well as the challenge of sustainability and social reintegration; assigned vocational training workshops.
Day 7: Full-day experience of daily community life.
Day 8: Introduction to the The WeFree Project, which focuses on preventative action; + a Q&A covering the replicability of the San Patrignano model.
Lodging and daily meals with the residents are also included - mealtime being a crucial component of San Patrignano life.

As to why I'm using FundMyTravel: logistics. I didn't realize until early January this year (2017) that I'd accumulated enough credits in order to forego my spring quarter at Evergreen before returning in Fall 2017 and attend this workshop (March 30-April 7). By the time I submitted my application to San Patrigano, received my acceptance, not as much time was left to apply for independent educational travel grants and fellowships as I'd initially hoped. So, I'm reaching out -  every little bit helps. All the money raised will go exclusively to the program costs (~1250 euro).

Relevant links are included below.

Thanks for taking the time to read! :)

-Yazmin