The great reflections in life always begin with a question, a why.
I believe that asking ourselves questions is one of the healthiest exercises we can practice, with others and with ourselves.
A question is the beginning of this blog post, but the question itself is not the one you read in the title of this reflection, because we cannot call this an article, you will understand.
The question was, Ane and Ornella, would you be willing to write a collaborative reflection on what we experienced in our last trip? The answer, luckily for me, and for you, was yes.
The experience in question was the last PR ULL , which on this occasion took place in the Isla Baja area (north of Tenerife) and with which we were able to live, the Pueblos Remotos team, with 9 students from the University of La Laguna and with 3 rural entrepreneurs from that area.
Furthermore, I speak in the plural, because what you are about to read is the result of the vision that each of us had, and therefore overflows with personality, vision and feelings in a very personal way.
Delegate with peace of mind (Carlos)
If I had to express in one word what my experience of this last event was like, the word would be tranquility .
As an entrepreneur with a few years under my belt, I can say that one of the most beautiful words, and at the same time one of the most difficult to apply, is the verb: delegate .
As Ane mentioned in her reflection, teamwork, learning to process information, and trusting others can lead to results you could never achieve on your own. Thank you, Ane, for your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm, and all at just 24… just kidding, just 23.
And an experience like this is also, as Ornella so aptly puts it, about taking away little pieces of everyone who participated. Those laughs, that sense of camaraderie, that natural flow, were largely thanks to you, Ornella.
For my part, I can only offer a few thoughts and leave you with what they have written, which I believe is far more interesting than anything I could write:
- In my experiences with young people, I'm getting less young (let's leave it at that) with each one we put into action (thinking that some of the people who participated weren't even born when I was already in my first year of university doesn't help, hahaha)
- Even in times of stress, high workload and multiple fronts open, the right people can help you bring out the best in yourself.
- Yes, when you finish anything, you feel that sense of "emptiness" and images, laughter, and moments come to mind from time to time; it means that what you have done is well done. (For everything else, I wrote a reflection right after the experience entitled: "The Emptiness ," in case you want to take a look.)
Now, I'll leave you with Ane and Ornella's reflections. Enjoy!
It has been an incredible experience, where I've learned so much and made so many wonderful people. I'm so glad I participated and grateful for the opportunity to have had it. – Senior PR Student, ULL – Isla Baja
Three years promoting purposeful immersive experiences in rural areas: lessons learned from ULL Pueblos Remotos (Ane)
A few days ago we wrapped up another edition of Pueblos Remotos ULL, this time in Isla Baja, and I'm still processing everything I experienced.
This is the first of several experiences we have carried out since we began designing this program in conjunction with the University of La Laguna .
I've been fortunate enough to be involved from the design phase through to the implementation , the entire process with the Remote Villages team modeling the project to make it more replicable and sustainable even if the facilitation team changes. This has been one of my greatest satisfactions: ensuring that the accumulated knowledge is not lost .
Each edition has been different, but what excites me is seeing how we have improved with each step , refining the process, better understanding the territory and adapting to each context.
I've learned a lot from this experience, but I especially want to highlight:
- The connection with the participating students , who were carefully selected for their alignment with the project's values, has been invaluable. Many have become friends, and we remain in contact, which has also helped me recognize my talent for talent identification and people management.
- The connection with local entrepreneurs (cheese shops, farms, candy shops, etc.) has made me rethink my consumption habits and deepen my interest in ecotourism and traditional businesses with an impact.
- The power of teamwork , especially in remote villages, where, although we come from backgrounds and generations, we share a clear mission. That shows and is reflected in what we achieve.
- The need to continue these experiences , allowing for further work on the applicability of the solutions developed by the students. The interest to continue is there—on the part of both the students and the entrepreneurs—but time, funding, and facilitators are needed to make it happen.
It has also made me reflect on the specific challenges facing rural areas in the Canary Islands. Unlike other rural areas affected by depopulation, here the challenges are related to gentrification, a lack of demographic diversification , and the urgent need to create real opportunities for young people that foster entrepreneurship and employment in areas with low youth population density.
It has been a transformative experience. Pueblos Remotos not only allowed me to connect with incredible entrepreneurs and communities, but also to rediscover the value of the local and the human. I'm taking away lessons, inspiration, and connections that go beyond the professional. Thank you for creating these spaces where ideas intersect with people and things that truly matter are born. I hope there are more initiatives like this! – Senior PR Student, ULL – Isla Baja
Do we make an impact from remote villages? Yes. Although it may not be immediate or visible, it is real and necessary . Because we achieve:
- Connecting young people aged 18 to 42, with very diverse profiles, creating close-knit teams and lasting friendships.
- To train them to address real challenges faced by local entrepreneurs, proposing viable solutions that have a direct impact on their businesses.
- To inspire young people to start businesses and discover new professional opportunities in rural areas.
- Building collaborative networks among entrepreneurs who are committed to a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.
Even so, we feel that to continue and scale up these types of initiatives , it is necessary to have more stable and long-term support .
Especially from those institutions already working for the economic and social development of the region. These are the ones with the greatest resources and maintain a direct relationship with the citizens and the specific challenges of rural municipalities.
So far, support through this channel has been limited. Therefore, we simply want to express our willingness to continue the dialogue and build alliances that strengthen these kinds of initiatives.
Because we firmly believe in their value, and we know that they can contribute very positively to transforming realities that need it.
A PR ULL experience with Pueblos Remotos (Ornella)
As a child, I always wanted to have a lemonade stand. But not to sell refreshing drinks. My dream was to offer ideas to anyone who came with a challenge. To listen, imagine, and help.
The experience with the students in the last ULL Pueblos Remotos PR was, in many ways, the realization of that childhood dream. And also a powerful confirmation of my current professional mission.
I felt the first surge of enthusiasm when Carlos wrote to me to co-facilitate this adventure. The proposal was as simple as it was ambitious: 5 days, 1 accommodation, 9 students eager to contribute, 3 local entrepreneurs with real challenges, and 3 facilitators dedicated to learning and impact.
About two months in advance, I joined the planning. I helped organize logistical details (food, materials, profile selection…), but also to shape the intangible aspects: the experience, the connections, and the learning environment.
And almost without realizing it, the first day arrived.
When I stepped onto the hostel floor in Garachico, I realized I'd been so immersed in the preparations that I'd arrived there with complete faith… but without any expectations. And what a gift that was. Sometimes, to truly flow, you need to let go of control. (Although, I must say, washing the car at the last minute was a nice finishing touch).
The room gradually filled with a mix of human voices, accents, tones, and frequencies. As neuroscience tells us, the brain can feel stressed by the unknown. But I believe that, with the right attitude, that uncertainty transforms into a blank canvas brimming with possibilities.
And what a collective work we created!
What we experienced
During those five days, we explored, shared, and created. We connected with Isla Baja, empathized with real entrepreneurs, and brainstormed solutions as a team. We learned from experience and from each person's unique story.
I'm incredibly proud to have helped create a space where everyone felt comfortable. We were a diverse group, yes. But also a harmonious one. With authenticity, respect, and a genuine camaraderie.
I just want to say thank you to my mentors and the organizers in the pueblos remotos. Not only have I improved in applying my knowledge, but I've also grown as a person, gaining far more than I was promised. I never expected that I, and all the other students, would be welcomed with open arms and given the opportunity to develop our skills in our discipline. On the journey to this experience, we students talked about the countless times different professors rejected our ideas in order to follow an institutional path. Here, we've had the freedom to develop in ways different from those conceived in the classroom, not only meeting expectations but also doing excellent work (from what we've been told) – Student of the last PR ULL – Isla Baja
My favorite moments
- Sharing our dreams over sips of morning coffee.
- The clientele of Elisabeth, a local entrepreneur (EVA in the Canary Islands), who decided to stay and listen during the interview.
- We would have missed the most beautiful views of Teno Alto if Alexander (NaturTeno Cheese Factory) had had a relaxed morning.
- The "oohs" and "ahahas" at the farm, due to the sensory discoveries and explanations given to us by Pascal (Finca La Canopea).
- Seeing how ideas became real materials to support entrepreneurs.
- Form circles to think, create, share, eat, play, swim and dance.
- The phrases that became a language of their own.
- Musical car trips.
- Night swims in the sea.
- The improvised plans.
- Discovering everyone's talents and stories, like they were surprise boxes.
- The murmuring and laughter before we fell asleep.
An experience so vivid it still resonates.
A gratitude I feel that will last a long time.
I was once told that everyone around us leaves a little piece of themselves within us. If that's true, then I'm taking pieces of Gara, Copo, Octavio, Inma, Fran, Aday, Gabriela, Nayara, Rubén, Ane, and Carlos with me. Thank you for being part of this journey.
With love and gratitude,
Ornella.
To which I add, Long live Connected Rurality!
A hug,
Ane, Ornella and Carlos.
