O Testemunho do Xhulio

Hi, my name is Xhulio. I am Albanian and Italian, I am 29 years old, and this is my first ESC experience.

My first weeks in Lisbon have been a total surprise and a positive shock. I come from a small village in Italy, so moving to a big city like Lisbon has given me a completely different perspective of life. Luckily, my first week in Lisbon was not a lonely experience, as I met many people, starting with my wonderful flatmates and then the people who work and volunteer at SPIN.

I chose SPIN because I feel that my values align very well with those of the association. Throughout my life, I have always been curious about new places, so whenever I had the opportunity, I travelled as much as I could.

My first week was, of course, also a time for reflection. For the first time in a long while, I am far from home, and this makes you realise who you miss the most and who remains close to you despite the distance. Another reflection that comes naturally is a philosophical one: you begin to think about who you are and who you want to become. You are starting fresh, and you have the opportunity to reinvent yourself.

On the other hand, going through all of this while volunteering means trying to have a positive impact on your surroundings and on the people around you, while also allowing yourself to be changed by the experience.

O Testemunho da Lucy

Hi! My name is Lucy, and I am from the United States.

I arrived in Lisbon about 3 weeks ago and have been volunteering at Spin for 2 of those weeks. So far, my experience has been nothing short of amazing, exceeding my expectations in several areas, from public transportation efficiency to culture and community. 

Thanks to CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange), I’ve had a seamless transition, immersing myself in the community and creating a routine. Volunteering and working for non-profit organizations are vital parts of my life back in the United States, particularly through weekly excursions to a local elementary school, where I teach ballet to children.

After hearing about CIEE’s partnership opportunities with local NGOs, I was motivated to incorporate a volunteer experience into my semester. 

My Spin placement is very fitting. I am mesmerized by the cross-cultural dynamic, working alongside individuals from around the world in a collaborative environment. Although I haven't worked in an international setting before, I'm ready to take on this unique experience and push myself as a learner and colleague. Even in this short time, I am very excited to build meaningful connections and contribute to the impactful projects that Spin creates. 

I’ve truly found a home in Lisbon in such a short amount of time, and feel so fortunate to have chosen a city that complements my interests and lifestyle. As mentioned before, the public transportation system has made my time here that much more convenient, but the ability to walk everywhere in the city is the cherry on top. Walking to class, the supermarket, or shopping centers is the perfect way to explore daily, taking in scenery I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. Lisbon is such a beautiful city to explore, and its proximity to the beach and other gorgeous green spaces makes it feel spacious and full of opportunities. I’ve even traveled a bit to further regions, including Tomar and Lagos! My favorite spot I’ve visited so far has to be Lagos because of the beautiful beaches and caves in the Algarve. Going to the beach and swimming several times since arriving is such a privilege for someone living in a city. I cannot wait to continue my journey in Portugal and take in all that the country has to offer.

 

O Testemunho do Manuel

 

Hello my name is Manuel.

Taking part in a CES project is something no young person should miss out on. During the six months I lived in Athens, I had the opportunity to meet dozens of people, make friends and broaden my horizons.

By working with Hellenic Youth Participation, I was able to find out a little about the work they have been doing in the field of youth, whether it be activities aimed at students or the international mobility opportunities they offer. Furthermore, I was able to experience a different way of life and gain a better understanding of the world around us. 

Of all the projects we worked on, the time I spent at the Saffron Kitchen Project is particularly close to my heart; it is a community kitchen that prepares hundreds of meals a day, which are distributed both by other organisations and on-site. Anyone who visits this place will realise that it is possible to serve delicious and nutritious food, even in this context.

But life isn’t just about work. Greece is also a wonderful country to explore. Wherever you go – the ruins of ancient Athens, the islands surrounded by blue waters, or the mountains towering above us – there’s always something new to discover. Steeped in history and nature, the country itself is something not to be missed.

O Testemunho da Irene

Hi My name is Irene.

I've been here in Lisbon for about two months now, and it's time to write my first testimonial.

From day one, Spin and ANFR made me feel truly welcome. I set out right away to explore the city and its surroundings, and I found so much to discover and be fascinated by.

Even though Italy isn't so far away, adapting turned out to be harder than I expected, especially when it came to the language. But I found kind, supportive people both at home and within the association, and that has made all the difference.

I'm coming to realize that this experience has a lot to teach me about myself, because it's often in facing difficulties that we discover something new.

O Testemunho da Julia

Hello! My name is Julia, and I am studying abroad in Lisbon for the next three months! My first week in Lisbon has been so much fun, meeting so many new people from around the world, learning about exciting topics in my CIEE courses, and exploring the beautiful city of Lisbon! Here’s a look into some of the things I have been up to.

I have loved getting lost in the streets of Lisbon: Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Pastéis de Belem, Praça do Comércio, and Sé de Lisboa have been some of the highlights of my time here so far. One of my favorite spots that I stumbled upon is Lisbon’s Tiles in Alfama! I have loved exploring all of the beautiful handmade ceramics and tiles here and have already bought several dishes for my apartment. I love learning about the rich culture and history in Portugal!

Over the weekend, I was able to take two day-trips from Lisbon- Cascais and Sintra. Being from Miami, my expectations for beaches are quite high, and Cascais certainly met them! The scenery was beautiful, and the water was so refreshing! I was also impressed with how easy it was to get to Cascais. I have loved taking public transportation all around the Lisbon metropolitan area.

Palácio Nacional da Pena in Sintra was unlike anything I had ever seen before! The castle looked straight out of a Disney movie with its grandeur and fun colors. This was an incredible day-trip, and I hope to go back soon to explore some of the other castles and pieces of history in Sintra!

I have loved my time in Lisbon so far, and I am so excited for all that is to come this semester. I am also so excited to work with Spin and enrich my study-abroad experience. The staff at Spin has been so welcoming and I cannot wait to learn more about this incredible organization and do my part in carrying out its mission. I am feeling inspired, optimistic, and ready for the next few months!

O Testemunho da Evelyn

The last two months in Skiathos have been a lovely experience! I’ve learned so much about sustainable building and met so many amazing people — from playing with children and hosting scout camps to beach hopping with fellow volunteers. It’s fascinating to have a programme like this on such a small, intimate and beautiful island.”

Spin accompanies Evelyn throughout her ESC journey, from preparation to follow-up and reflection on her learning experience. 💙

O Testemunho da Daniella

Hi, my name is Daniella! I just arrived in Lisbon a little over a week ago and have really enjoyed my time here so far. The weather has been the perfect mix of sunny during the day, and cool winds at night, removing me from the rough weather we have been experiencing in the Northeast of the US recently.

I am originally from New York City, so coming to Lisbon was a big change for me, but one I was super excited about. Growing up in New York provided me with years of experience taking the subway around the city and exploring neighborhoods unfamiliar to me. Public transportation has always been a huge part of my life, so I was pleasantly surprised to see how easy and accessible everything is in Lisbon. I have enjoyed learning and exploring different parts of the city (and even places outside of Lisbon) by simply using a metro, train, or bus. I am eager to take advantage of these forms of transportation throughout the duration of my stay!

My first trip outside of Lisbon was to Sintra. Getting to see some history and an area outside of the city where I live and work was incredible. It was just another reminder how much Portugal has to offer, and that I should do my best to see as much as I can in the time I am here. The moment I walked into Spin’s office, everyone was incredibly welcoming and seemingly eager to get to know me. I am enjoying getting used to what it means to be a part of an office, what my job as an intern entails, and the best ways I can help assist given my past experiences. Ultimately, I am beyond excited to see where this journey takes me over the next two months through exploring new opportunities, building meaningful connections, and continuing to grow both personally and professionally.