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.

O Testemunho da Emily

 Hi! My name is Emily, and I am from the US! 

I joined as an intern for SPIN through a program called Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), which partnered with my university to offer students international work experience. Once I was set on Lisbon, I began searching for a workplace that embodied the mission and values I am passionate about.

I have always considered myself a lifelong learner, so when I learned that this was a central focus of Spin’s incredible mission, I was immediately drawn to the opportunity. The work they do closely aligns with my own work in the US: supporting and connecting individuals while helping others access lifelong learning opportunities.

My arrival in Lisbon was nothing short of exciting. After landing at the airport, I immediately began exploring the city and learning how to navigate the transportation system, which is unlike anything I have experienced before. I am fortunate to have a host through my program who has already shared so much wisdom about life here.

Doubting Lisbon’s reputation as “the city with seven hills” may have been one of my biggest mistakes, as I quickly found myself on two of the hardest - yet most beautiful - walks of my life! Outside of preparing for work, I have spent time visiting museums, renowned sites, exploring cafés, and enjoying plenty of seafood. 

I am only one week in, but each day I feel more settled and more grateful for this experience. I have already found that around every corner, something beautiful can be discovered in this city.  I am excited to continue exploring here and all that lies beyond during my stay.

O Testemunho da Matilde

Ciao! I’m Matilde and I’m from Tuscany, Italy :)

I have been in Lisbon for a few months already, and at Spin for just slightly less, and now it’s time for me to look back on everything that has happened so far.

When I arrived here in the winter, the weather was rainy and cold, yet I could already feel the warmth of the city, the very same warmth with which Spin’s team welcomed me to the office.

Lisbon is full of surprises that I’ve been discovering little by little: climbing up the steep hills to reach the incredible views of the miradouros, heading down to the beaches for a dip into ice-cold Portuguese waters, or stepping into one of the very many cafés, restaurants, social clubs, and neighborhood quiosques. I fell in love with the melancholic yet joyful energy of the city. You feel it everywhere, welcoming you and inviting you to lose yourself in the maze of tiny calçada streets, only to find your way again when the scenery opens up to a sunlit square.

With that same curiosity, I’ve been discovering everything that Spin and its community have to offer. The association and everyone working or volunteering here are incredibly dynamic, almost no two days ever look the same. I’ve been doing all sorts of tasks, meeting all sorts of people, and learning all sorts of skills. Between navigating projects and picking up new routines, I’m constantly encountering new perspectives that make this whole experience feel like a true shared adventure.

It’s a continuous process of learning and growing, and I can’t wait to see what else this city and this project have in store for me!

O Testemunho do Alvaro

 

Aloha! It’s Alvaro, saying goodbye.

Entering deep in the rhythms of the city, creating my safe space, experiencing sad goodbyes and fresh welcomes, investing time in things that matter, receiving friends' visits, growth personally, professionally and work on self-regulation are some of the best inputs I can mention of volunteering with SPIN.

It was a dreamy combination of new experiences where the human exchange has been the main currency. Not happy and not sad to close this experience but yes with a feeling that i will remember as a sweet phase of my life, where i will come back to from time to time. Ready to go and hoping to come back one day. Lisbon and SPIN showed me the path more clearly where I want to direct my life, but also taught me that it´s not gonna be easy! 

The diversity of this volunteering made me more aware and critical with the different realities that we are living. The people I shared moments with during these months really woke up something inside me. Overall, I just can be grateful for all the support, patience, jokes, hard moments, and shared thoughts that now belong to me somehow. 

I can not finish this without mentioning the inspiration I have received from the SPIN team. I really think that there is something special that I can not describe with words, that's why you should come and experience it by yourself.

Love and gratitude, but overall;

Peace.

Álvaro.