O Testemunho do Álvaro

                                           

Aloha! It´s Álvaro and I am still getting used to the city, the rhythms and the tasks, but the people reach me deeply! From the first moment I was able to feel like one more of the group.

                                             

             

The arrival to Portugal was smooth and the environment in the house is amazing. Even if the people are leaving and arriving from time to time, the vibe is keeping quite the same. Living in the heart of Lisbon is bringing a lot of shine to my life!

                                                            

My arrival at SPIN as a volunteer has been like diving into a river and letting myself be carried by the current. I knew where I was getting into, but not where it might take me. I am discovering myself at the same time as I discover incredible landscapes, places, and people. Each passing day reaffirms that being a volunteer is a revealing experience of incalculable value, where human exchange is the main currency.

                                                        

In summary,  I acknowledge that I am where I was looking for, even without knowing exactly what my experience will be like.

                                        

                                                        

O Testemunho da Vanessa e Sofia

 

Some experiences stay with us long after they end due to how they make us feel; what they help us understand about ourselves and the people we meet.

This training course in Shëngjin, Albania, was one of those experiences for us!

Together with diverse participants from Kosovo, Lithuania, Italy, the United States, Albania, Greece, Romania, and Spain, we spent an intense and enriching week exploring self-development, inner strength, purpose, and impact.

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Our days began with movement: morning yoga sessions with our coach Klodi that reminded us of the importance of posture, breathing, balance, habits, and energy. These moments were about mindfulness and reconnecting with the environment, our bodies, and minds. We quickly realised how small morning adjustments to our routine can change the way we show up for the rest of the day and ground us to what is most important.

It quickly became clear that this training wasn’t just about learning, but about rediscovering ourselves, so that we can show up for all the areas of our life with more focus, strenght and engagement.

After the morning yoga sessions and through guided self-development sessions, we were invited to reflect deeply on our future vision and personal goals. Using non-formal education methods, we explored different areas of our lives: career, personal growth, family, friendships, physical and mental health, finances, and fun; and chose one area to focus on more intentionally during this week.

With practical tools like visualization, goal-setting, and action planning, we started shaping our future paths by setting clear step-by-step roadmaps.

One of the most impactful aspects of this experience was the people. Sharing a week with such a culturally diverse group from different backgrounds and ages meant constant sharing of conversations, stories, laughter, and sometimes challenging perspectives and advice.

The cultural and traditional dance nights and open discussions only enriched our exchange more, creating a safe and comfortable place to surround ourselves with. Each unique person brought their own way of seeing the world, and through that diversity, we were able to reflect on our own values, assumptions, and identities.

We were supported throughout the week by our facilitators and coaches: Manoela, Klodi, Gianluca; and host organisational support: Aferdite, and Amerilda from ICSE&Co (International Center for Southern Europe). Their approach guided our introspective path in a non-formal learning experience with indoor and outdoor activities and exercises.

One afternoon took us to Shkodër, where we visited its astonishing castle, shared a dinner and dances at a local traditional restaurant, and connected with the city more deeply by interviewing locals about the meanings behind some Albanian proverbs. This gave us a glimpse into the country’s wisdom, humor, and values, reminding us how much culture lives in language and the knowledge passed down through generations of history.

Overall, this training, hosted by ICSE&Co and supported by our sending organization Spin Europe, was much more than a professional development opportunity. It was a space to pause, reflect, reconnect, and realign, both personally and professionally.

We are returning home with practical tools, deeper self-awareness, and meaningful connections. Most importantly, we leave with the understanding that engaging with others starts with understanding ourselves, recognizing that this is what will help us to create a more meaningful impact in our work with others.

If you’re a youth worker, facilitator, or simply someone searching for growth, we truly encourage you to look for opportunities like this. Sometimes, all it takes is one week, the right people, and the courage to look inward to create lasting impact, for yourself and for the community around you.

O testemunho da Joana

A minha experiência em Almvik com o CES foi muito positiva e enriquecedora. Aprendi bastante com as tarefas que realizei, cresci a nível pessoal e criei boas ligações com as pessoas da comunidade. Apesar de alguns desafios, sinto que aproveitei bem esta oportunidade. 

As minhas tarefas incluíram coisas como fazer agricultura (colheita principalmente); cuidar das vacas, que, honestamente, é uma tarefa bastante terapêutica; fazer as limpezas, sejam estas as do templo ou as da guesthouse (onde habitei) ou da casa da senhora idosa moradora na aldeia. Ainda tinha semanalmente diferentes atividades criativas como os workshops de costura e as reuniões de mentorias em que atendemos a vários eventos culturais.

Estou bastante contente com todos os que conheci em Almvik. De um modo geral, sinto que são uma comunidade aberta e todos demonstram isso com imenso carinho, tentam fazer de Almivk uma casa para mim, através de uma conexão super próxima, mas natural. 

Diverti-me muito nos meus dias livres. Tentei aproveitar o máximo dos eventos culturais que foram acontecendo. E como estava bem localizada ainda consegui visitar a Lapónia Sueca e Gotemburgo.

The testimony of Salvo

After posting so many of your stories on this blog, it’s finally my turn. I’ll start with my usual "resume" line: it was a whole movie.

The beginning in Portugal was a bit of a struggle bus, lowkey. The first few weeks, the homesickness hits different—you miss your routine and your "old" life. But honestly, The plot twist comes fast.

Lisbon is a 10/10 vibe. The city is stunning, there’s always something happening, and the weather is a total win (crucial for a Southern Italian, let’s be real). But the biggest flex? The people who made me feel at home from day one.

I lived in Casa B, and that room is officially a core memory. The vibes were immaculate—so much support and friendly energy. Huge shoutout to Nacho, Alice, Giorgia, and Flavia. You guys were the best roomies I could’ve asked for.

My work journey at the Spin office was.. a journey. Surely I expected a different kind of grind and daily tasks, but it is what it is. Dealing with the hostel tasks, the social media management, and all those projects over the months was definitely a learning curve, sometimes challenging. I’m grateful to the whole Spin team for the warm welcome and for keeping the hustle going every day.

Now for the best part: the squad. You guys were the highlight of the entire experience. We went through it all: beach days, almost breaking our ankles, clubbing until sunrise, late-night pastéis, our sunsets togheter and that wild 24-hour in Seville. If our paths crossed, it was definitely meant to be. I couldn’t be happier.

Lisbon, you were home. I’m 100% sure you’ll be home for all the future interns and volunteers too.

Much love,

Salvo.

O testemunho No.2 da Gohar

 It took me a while to gather my thoughts and put my experience in Lisbon into words. My arrival came with its own set of challenges, but looking back now, I can genuinely say it was all worth it. I met incredible people, friends for life and felt emotions I don’t think I could have experienced anywhere else. What I’m taking home with me are the bright, inspiring people I met, the laughs, the endless inside jokes, the sunny and rainy days (both literally and metaphorically), joy of having really cheap coffee around every corner, a newfound love for tremoços, and just an overall wave of good vibes.

I lived in Anjos, and what started as a group of strangers quickly became a family. This flat was warm, adventurous, supportive, and simply beautiful in every sense. We had our ups and downs like any group of people living closely together, but at the end of each day, everyone cared enough to sort things out and not carry unresolved issues into tomorrow. I built deep connections with my flatmates, with friends outside the project, and maybe most surprisingly with Lisbon itself. I now know the city better than the one I’ve lived in for 30 years. Lisbon became home: cozy, welcoming, and full of life, with parties, jam sessions, live music, and festivals always around the corner.

My work experience, however, was more complicated. Communication with my association was sometimes challenging, and the lack of clarity left a bit of a bitter aftertaste. I truly hope things will improve, because mutual respect, support, and honest communication are essential especially in an experience like this. I met expectations, exceeded them at times, and failed at others. All of that shaped me and taught me valuable lessons. While I arrived feeling supported, the departure felt heavier and lonelier from my association’s side. I never fully understood what shifted halfway through, despite trying my best, which left me with some uncertainty.

Still, I want to highlight that the people in my association are wonderful, talented and full of good energy. I shared great moments with them, and I’m grateful for that. Despite the challenges, I’m thankful to everyone, to Portugal, and to SPIN for giving me this opportunity. All the memories I’m taking home will stay in the warmest and coziest corner of my heart.

With lots of love and longing 

O testemunho No.1 da Gohar

 

Finally made it to Lisbon! 

My journey with SPIN started a few months ago when I first applied for a volunteering opportunity. I was thrilled to be selected, but life had other plans, and I couldn’t join at the time. Luckily, a second chance came knocking just two months later and this time, I was all in!

For me, this adventure was all about stepping out of my comfort zone. As an introvert, it was a bold move to say yes to something so different, but I wanted to challenge myself, grow, and pick up new skills along the way.

Now... let’s talk about getting to Portugal, because WOW, that was a journey in itself!

It started with a visa process that tested all my patience. It took nearly two months to get approved, and just when I thought the hard part was over, chaos hit again. I was supposed to arrive in Lisbon, enjoy a concert on April 30, and start my volunteering project with SPIN on May 1. Instead, my flight got caught up in a massive power outage, leading to cancellations, rebookings, and SPOILER ALERT!!! I missed the concert and arrived five days late.

Despite the rocky start, I couldn’t be more grateful for the support I got from the SPIN team, especially Catarina, who was incredibly kind and kept me going through it all. And my fellow volunteers? Absolute gems! Each of them brings something special to the table, and it already feels like a little community.

Now that I’m finally here, I’m hoping for smoother days ahead. I’m excited to dive deeper into the project, soak up the experience, and make the most of this amazing opportunity.

O testemunho No.1 da Alice (Crescer a Cores)

 

I arrived in Lisbon on September 7th. I remember that the first week here was very difficult: I was confused and disoriented, I didn’t really know why I had decided to leave and abandon my comfort zone, and I was scared of not finding anyone I could truly connect with and of being in a place I didn’t consider my home.

Little by little, however, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and met many wonderful people. I created my own group of friends to go out and have fun with, and together we try to see as many places in Portugal as possible. I’ve visited cities like Porto and Braga, I went to the Azores, and I did a two-day hike in the Algarve.

Beyond all this, I now consider them an integral part of this experience, and without them, being here wouldn’t be the same.

As for my project, I work in a nursery school called “Crescer a Cores.” When I arrived, I didn’t have many expectations about the service or the educational staff, but after these first months here, I can absolutely say that it is one of the most welcoming and stimulating places I have ever worked in.

Everyone speaks Portuguese, and I am slowly trying to learn it. Despite this language barrier, the educators are all so kind and have always tried in every way to make me feel like part of their family (because it truly feels like one). I remember that during one of my first weeks here, a colleague announced that she was pregnant and told me as if I were an old friend. She hugged me as if she had known me for a lifetime, and that was one of the first moments when I realized that the people there are truly special. It’s a place where you can feel such a strong sense of family that it makes me forget I am far from Italy.

To sum up these first months in Lisbon, I can definitely say that I feel really good, free, and light. I can’t wait to discover what the future holds for this experience.