Get to know our ESC volunteers - Sybille

Where are you from?
I am from France! I was born in Paris, but I've lived in different cities, including Rennes in Britanny (my first look-a-like Irish weather experience). For the past few years, I’ve been living in Toulouse, located in the south of France.

What is your training or background in circus or the arts?
I have been practicing dance and theatre improvisation for a while now, but I started my studies in Arts School. I still practice drawing and painting by myself, sometimes for professional projects. When I was around 10 years old, I took a few circus classes. I discovered acrobatics, juggling, balancing, and clowning. Currently, I am still a bit into clowning!

What made you want to volunteer at Galway Community Circus? 
I wanted to spend the year in a rich artistic and cultural environment where I could learn more about inclusivity. In addition, I was searching for a space where I could experiment, share my skills and practice the art of teaching. Ireland is also a land I’ve always wanted to visit for its culture, music, and bright landscapes.

Who is your sending organisation? Tell us about them. 
My sending organisation is Concordia. They support both French and foreign volunteers in participating in voluntary service projects. Their goal is to encourage volunteering and intercultural exchange.

What do you love about working with Galway Community Circus? 
I love having a space to train and experiment whilst being surrounded by nice and open-minded people. I also feel supported by the team to help me achieve my professional and personal projects.

What project or projects are you working on at the Circus and what results do you hope to achieve?
I am working on an inclusive dance workshop for Mayhem. I hope to find the right way to be understood by children in my practice!

What do you love about Ireland? 
I love being surrounded by a very cultural environment. Galway is a lovely city for music, meeting friends and realizing artistic projects, such as theatre or dance performances. The sunsets are also the most gorgeous ones I’ve ever seen! ☼

What are a few important things you have learned or are learning while volunteering with Galway Community Circus?
I see my expectations changing. Meeting the Irish culture and way of being and living here has made me realize that sharing even a little bit of what I’ve learnt during my dance and body-consciousness studies, can already make a big change in a child's life.

I am also learning the trapeze as well as refining my teaching techniques with children in classes.

What is one thing you love about circus in general?
I love the fact that I still don’t know what the limits of circus are.

Why do you think a programme like European Solidarity Corps is important? 
I think the European Solidarity Corps programme is important because it helps young people find a place to be supported in what they love, and gives them a chance to fulfil some of their goals. The programme also makes people realize with what privileges they were born, and helps them to build self-confidence.

Would you recommend that other people apply to volunteer at organisations through the European Solidarity Corps programme? Why?
Yes! I would recommend it because, by meeting our own needs and limits, we learn about autonomy and how to ask for help to find the correct resources. And indeed, living abroad for a long time is challenging. But it also enhances openness, gives you a chance to discover new things, and makes you realize what you like in life.

Also, if you already work, participating in an ESC project allows you to take a longer break from that work routine. That way you can try something different, worry less about your own activity, and enjoy life more!

Learn more about the European Solidarity Corps and discover more about the ESC programme at GCC.

Galway Community Circus's European Solidary Corps programme is supported by Erasmus+ and Léargas.