Welcome Lucas!

Grützi everyone! My name is Lucas, but friends also call me Lupo. I am 27 years old and I was born in Cologne in Germany. I would describe myself as an analytical thinker, as I love structure, numbers and finding the so called “facts”, but I also have a strong connection with my heart and values ;) My energy is driven and turbulent when motivated to reach goals and grounded in times of contemplation and rest. Also, I am an outgoing and open-minded person who is interested in meeting people from heart to heart. 

I love exploring the world and seeing all its different beautiful places. It became clear to me that I wanted to do something so that it stays this beautiful. Thus, I decided to study Energy- and Environmental Technologies in Hamburg in order to work in the field of renewable Energy in the future. 

Well to be honest the engineering studies at a conservative university did not really drive my passion. I escaped to go surfing with friends as often as I could. Also, green energy is just not enough to bring a sustainable change, because it is us who really have to reinvent the way we live on this planet.

After my bachelor thesis I took another journey of 8 months to South America to learn Spanish, but mostly to find my purpose again and to learn how to decelerate life and let things fall into place naturally and it worked quite well. I am usually late now and before working there is always time for chats and food ;) By the way the photo was taken in one of the driest spots on Earth, the Atacama dessert. In the rare event of rain it starts blossoming and showing sheer endless patches of flowers.

My Master’s degree in International Management and Engineering is almost finished. The subjects of Project Management and Marketing gave me the opportunity to get to know more proactive topics and to keep in mind the most important factor for me - the people. Recently my best friend told me about euforia and what it stands for. It strongly resonated with my heart and I put all my intentions towards starting an internship here. Really, I was super euforic and I saw it as my escape route out of engineering. Luckily my wishes were heard and a new exciting chapter with this amazing team of changemakers and visionaries has started. I can’t wait to contribute with you!

Welcome Clara!

My name is Clara and I am 25 years old. I grew up in the beautiful city Regensburg, and spent my last five years in Freiburg, Germany, where I finished my Bachelor degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. My study program was really inspiring and mind opening to me in many regards. After graduating I was thus in search for an institution that strives towards making a societal change. It is through a very good friend of mine that I heard of euforia. She participated in the imp!act a few years ago and she still feels enthusiastic about this experience. After attending myself I understand why. So instead of moving closer again to my family, as I anticipated, I decided to come to Zürich instead in order to be able to work in this productive, innovative and optimistic atmosphere. I am so happy to be part of the euforia team as an intern, to learn new things, meet great people, to be open minded and to make an impact myself.

Welcome Diogo!

Hi, I'm Diogo and I'm from Mem Martins, Portugal. I was born in Lisbon, but I have always lived in Mem Martins, near the beautiful town of Sintra.

My greatest passions are music and humor. In my free time I play guitar and drums, I like being with my family & friends and doing long walks alone or accompanied. When I have a lot of energy, I practice kickboxing, and in the most creative moments in which I feel the need to express myself, I like to write humorous texts. This allows me to have different perspectives of the same reality and to be fairer with myself and with others.

This photograph was taken in Cape Verde, in one of my missions in which I had the privilege of participating and meeting simple, warmhearted and happy people. This experience taught me to feel grateful for what I have and to be happy to simply exist. There are days that seem hazy, but there is always a sun behind the clouds to shine. And the sun has shone and I have the opportunity to be part of this beautiful family, to be able to make a difference and to be an actor of change in a world that I love so much!

Welcome Rabea!

I am Rabea 33 years old, born in Jenin - Palestine, grew up in Jordan and I moved for work to Switzerland in 2011. If I have to describe myself in few words, I can say that I am a sociable person who loves meeting people from different cultures, ambitious, and I love traveling.

I got my BA and my first master degree from Jordan when I was working as an assistant branch manager for a  Jordanian bank. My experiences and strong network brought me to work for a Swiss financial company, where I learned a lot and enjoyed developing their businesses in the Middle-East.

Since the company closed its doors for financial reasons, I decided to follow my heart and work for a non-profitable organization. I joined the Heartbeat circle to meet the accountant's needs and to make sure that the financial data is well organized.

I always strive to be a positive changer anywhere and being a part of Euforia will help me to find this opportunity :-)

Welcome Eleonora!

This is Eleonora, our new team member:

"I am Eleonora, 32 years old, born in Switzerland from Italian-Brazilian ascendence and obsessed with food and dancing. I describe myself as an Hyperactive Dreamer: I am deeply idealistic, have plenty of new project ideas popping out of my brain like popcorn and use my passion and energy to make them come true. After working for several years as a scientist in a multinational corporation, I have decided to listen to my heart and leave that career path in 2015. Since then, I have completed a nutrition certification, co-founded an oriental dance school and done an interniship at Ashoka, which got me to know about euforia. I am very happy and excited to be part of euforia's amazing team!"

Welcome Marlène!

Hello you!

My name is Marlène and since today I’am officially part of the euforia team.

I’m 22 years old and I come from Cap-Verde (a small country in Africa), I’m born in Romont (also a small city in Fribourg).

If I had to describe my self quickly I would say that I'm open minded, I tend to be optimistic most of the time and that I love traveling.

Since 2015, I’m a student at the HEG (Haute Ecole de Gestion) in the International Business Management departement. When I started my studies, I was an employee in a shop, but after almost two years working there I felt like I needed some changes, I needed something new and releated to my studies. After reading through Euforia’s add for volunteers I didn’t understand what was the organisation doing exactly but I thought "Hey! That sounds exciting, I can be useful! This might be for me". And now here I am ready to start this new adventure with you!

Welcome Matt!

That's me on the left.  The others are my three favorite people in the world: My wife of 31 years, Nancy, and our sons Patrick and Chris.  We are from the state of Minnesota in the United States, but moved here to Geneva 3 years ago when Nancy took a job with the International Labour Organization, a branch of the United Nations. Patrick and Chris are college students back in Minnesota, but we manage to visit each other often.

I love living in Geneva, and we take every opportunity to travel and experience as much of the European continent and culture as possible.  In my free time, I enjoy hiking in the mountains (including race-hiking, my new favorite athletic activity), swimming, cooking, wine tasting (which I know nothing about, but like to do anyway) and writing in my blog, SwissSojourner.com.

Most of my professional career has been spent in the area of transportation policy and financing, in both the public and private sectors.  Working for the Minnesota State Department of Transportation, I created and then managed a state grant program designed to support public-private partnerships in which private sector beneficiaries of public transportation infrastructure projects (road and bridge improvements, mostly) support public financing through their own contributions of funds or land donations.  This program continues to flourish today.  I am continuing to work in the public policy arena here in Geneva through my own 1-man consulting business.

I am excited to be volunteering at euforia, because I believe strongly in the cause. And as an American citizen, I feel especially driven to contribute in my own small way to an organization that promotes collaboration to “imagine, design, and implement bold solutions to today’s most pressing social, environmental and economic challenges.”

Get to know Karima

Carpe Diem - enjoy the present & live the life you love...

It’s my motto forever !!!! Enjoy every moment as if it was the last and without worrying about  tomorrow! So I follow my heart and build my life step by step, without plan or big (long term) project! Just me and my feelings!

I grew up in Paris where I did a mathematics’ bachelor degree. Then, I went to Marseille to do a Management and Communication Master, with sustainable development option!!! I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, but I wanted to be useful and work with values.

I have always done what I’m passionate about whether it be doing animations for children age 3 to 17, creating/calculating carbon footprint and giving advice for SD, taking care of people with disabilities,  managing various teams or organizing projects and events.

Fun, Love & Smile!

I’ve traveled a lot, but always seek for more! I was a volunteer in India, danced salsa in Cuba, took english lessons in Dublin, ate vegan in Berlin, discover Sicily living in a  car and more!!!!

I’ve followed my heart and love brought me to Marseille where I lived for 6 years. I then went back to my family in Paris. Only 2 years ago, I discovered the mountains and Switzerland!

In Geneva, I’ve discovered euforia and the step into action project ! 2 volunteering years later, to develop the project I have become an employee for step Geneva :).  I am also happy to work  for euforia to help them with administration work!

12 moves and 9 years since I left my parents house, it means a lot of homes, lives, friends, experiences, life sortings and discoveries!!!

Take time & Relax...

This year I have decided to stay in the same place the longest possible! After 10 years of  madness and hard work, I choose to take time for myself, and work part-time. I’m lucky to be part of Euforia, where  finally the values I defend are present in my work.

Can’t wait to meet you euforic euforia community <3