O Testemunho da Gaia

 

I chose to start an ESC experience at a moment of real confusion: after graduating, I was full of questions and very few answers. I didn’t really know what to do with my future or which direction to take. The only thing I was sure about was my deep interest in the social and volunteering world. That’s why ESC felt like the most honest and natural choice I could make.  Now, just a few months in, I can say it was the right one.

I’m meeting incredible people and discovering beautiful realities, and living all of this in Lisbon, in the middle of summer, makes everything even more intense. The light, the colors, the warmth, the ocean so close, it all slowly gets under your skin. From the very first day, I felt welcomed. My flatmates, who are also Spin volunteers, made me feel at home right away, in a way I had never experienced before during my time abroad. Adapting was surprisingly easy and fast, built through late-night talks, shared laughs, and small daily rituals. We are all young, arriving here with different stories but the same desire to step out of our comfort zones, discover ourselves, and grow. Doing this together makes everything lighter, more real, and deeply human.

The working environment at Spin also struck me from the very beginning. It’s a lively, dynamic office full of energy and movement, where no days are the same. You can really feel the motivation to create, build, and give space to people. I know I’ll learn a lot here, not only practical skills, but also human ones, simply by being part of an organization that truly believes in what it does.

Overall, this experience is giving me something incredibly valuable: time and space to listen to myself. Without pressure or expectations. Sharing everyday life with people from all over the world, who are also trying to do their best for others, constantly pushes me to grow. Every conversation, every story, every difference becomes an opportunity to learn something new, both about others and indirectly also about myself.

For the first time, I’m experiencing the Erasmus+ program from a completely different perspective. Not as a university student benefiting from it, but from inside an organization that works daily on real, concrete projects. This has made me realize how lucky we are, as young people, to have so many opportunities to travel, learn and challenge ourselves.

 

Right now, it feels like things couldn’t be better. The people around me, the work we’re doing together, and the city itself create the perfect setting for all of this. Lisbon, with its slow pace, authenticity, and ability to make you feel at home, is doing the rest. I’m truly happy I made this choice because, without even realizing it, I’ve given myself six months of time to feel truly happy.

I know that many things will change along the way: the volunteers, the work, flatmates and friends. Every day will bring something new but if the beginning has been this welcoming, spontaneous, and exciting, I can’t wait to see what the rest of this journey will bring.

O Testemunho da Jule

 

And just like that, in the blink of an eye, a year of volunteering at Spin passed! 

A wonderful adventure full of rich encounters, fulfilling experiences and reflections on my past, present and future. I love every part of it, I consider myself immensely lucky to have had the chance to live this opportunity, and recommend it to anyone who thinks of doing an ESC. 

The SPIN team took really good care of me and made sure I was always feeling safe and well surrounded. This experience rewarded me with a lot of knowledge about EU financed projects, about their problematics and on how to organize them. I have always been excited to gather people together through their differences and to create a space of reflection and creation. SPIN is a perfect match to allow these moments to happen, and I am honored to have been a part of this! 

As a former student of project management and international cooperation, this experience was really a plus, it allowed me to assert my competences of the field and helped me value myself a lot, I now have a lot of tools for reflecting on how I see my future and on the immense number of opportunities there are for me.

Regarding my personal adventure, I did find a lot of peace in beautiful Lisbon. A lot of new friends from all over the world, a lot of new happy places, a new language that I love, and a lot of cute dogs to pet in my neighbourhood ! Actually I'm still around, and I don't know when I'll leave, I'll see where the wind takes me, feel free to contact me !

Beijinhos Jule!

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.