Youth Exchange “The Edge Effect"

 

We asked our participants from the youth exchange “The Edge Effect” organized by ICSE & Co. between the 20th and 26th of July in Florence, Italy, how their feedback regarding this experience was. Here is what they had to say:

Maria Inés:

I will always cherish my experience in the “The Edge Effect” exchange program! The topic was one I didn’t feel comfortable with at first, but that’s exactly why I embarked on this experience, full of curiosity and of a desire to learn. I’m very grateful for the work of everyone involved because I think it was a super interesting and dynamic program, something I believe is essential to the learning process!

Thanks to this project, I had the opportunity to learn about new realities and sustainable practices, in addition to developing my critical thinking skills regarding these topics. I also had the chance to meet several people who contributed to this project and to our shared learning experience. I hope to have similar experiences in the future! 

Joana: 

The one week exchange program was wonderful, we had the chance to deeply explore the concepts of permaculture and how to build a permaculture project while being immersed in a multicultural environment, which enriched the program immensely. Villa Morghen was also beautiful and I loved its different spaces, from a game tavern and a library to a beautiful garden.

I especially liked how varied the activities were. We were able to express our ideas not only through words but through drawing, sculpting and even acting, which I felt reflects the out of the box creative nature of permaculture projects. The visit to the community center Lumen was very helpful in demonstrating how one of these projects can come to life and enrich its community.

Overall it was a wonderful week and I hope the “The Edge Effect” program can continue for other future attendees to enjoy.

Guilherme:

My experience on this youth exchange program exceeded my expectations.

It was an intense week, I got to spend time with a group of people from four different countries, share my culture and learn about theirs.

I also decided to make the whole journey by train to use more sustainable transportation, which in itself was a unique experience. The trip took four days and I used 13 different modes of transportation, which allowed me to understand the overland route and the gradual changes in the landscapes and architecture.

This experience taught me that we can do a lot with very little and that we all have so much in common, even though we come from different cultures and places, an important lesson in a world where the rhetoric is increasingly focusing on division and differences.

I really enjoyed learning about the principles of permaculture and seeing them put into practice at a cultural/community space in Florence.

I also had the chance to talk about sustainability projects in Portugal that I’ve been involved in and to learn about various projects undertaken by the participants.

I feel privileged to have been able to participate in this youth exchange and to have met such unique people with whom I hope to stay in touch.

Inés:

During a memorable week, I had the privilege of participating in a transformative project in Italy called “The Edge Effect,” which focused on the intersection of permaculture and sustainability. This project was more than just a training session; we delved deeply into the topic through a dynamic approach that combined games and moments of reflection.

We attended presentations from various countries that allowed us to cross borders without leaving our seats, learning about examples of how sustainability is being implemented in other European countries. We were also challenged to conceptualize and structure our own projects, moving from theory to action and designing sustainable solutions for the future.

We were introduced to Lumen, a cultural space that perfectly exemplifies successful urban regeneration, demonstrating how it is possible to transform a site and return it to the community, creating a true haven of culture and harmony with the surrounding environment.

In addition to the rich thematic content, we also had the opportunity to visit the city of Florence. The city’s art, history, and architecture served as a backdrop for the true essence of this project: human relationships. These cultural exchanges allowed us to forge friendships without borders that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Mariana N:

It’s amazing how just one week can bring together so much learning, sharing, and friendship. The Edge Effect was an experience that made me not only look at cities, sustainability, and communities in a different way but also at the importance of learning from others.

One of the things I enjoyed most was the way the activities were facilitated. I never felt that there were right or wrong answers, or that our creativity had any limits. On the contrary, we were always encouraged to share ideas, ask questions, experiment, and build solutions together. That atmosphere was also reflected in the group. Although we came from different countries and not everyone had the same level of English, I never felt any pressure to speak perfectly. The important thing was to communicate, listen, and participate. A space was created where everyone felt comfortable contributing, regardless of their experience or confidence in the language, and that made all the difference.

Throughout the week, it was also very inspiring to learn about the P’orto project. Hearing the story behind that space and seeing the impact the facilitators were able to create in the community made me realize that permaculture goes far beyond theory. It’s a way of looking at places, at people, and at the potential that exists even in the most overlooked spaces.

On top of all this, I also had the opportunity to explore Florence, making this experience even more special. I’m returning home with new perspectives, friendships I’ll carry with me, and the certainty that small ideas, when nurtured together, can lead to truly meaningful change.

Mariana R:

For a week, I had the opportunity to experience a unique project in Italy about permaculture and sustainability. We immersed ourselves in the subject through games, reflections, national presentations that allowed us to learn practical examples from other countries, and we even had the chance to devise our own sustainable projects. Our exploration of the topic culminated in a visit to Lumen, a cultural space that, through an urban regeneration project, provides the community with a place to meet and socialize.

Visiting the city of Florence was another highlight of the project, as well as the human connections that were created and the friends I made across borders who I will never forget.

The "The Edge Effect" project was special from the very first moment and will remain forever etched in my heart.

O Testemunho da Beatriz

Hi, I am Beatriz. The last four months I’ve spent in Zagreb, Croatia, have been full of new learning experiences, friendships, and travels. Two years after participating in the Erasmus project, the city welcomed me back with open arms, just like everyone
who is part of the organization.

It’s great to be back in a place I love so much and to see the streets and people who were part of such an important phase of my life. This time, I’ve come with more responsibilities and a

different mindset, ready for new challenges.

My tasks mainly consist of teaching Portuguese to young

Croatians, participating in capoeira training sessions with children, and facilitating workshops in

schools. 

It’s been interesting to see my own growth, both professionally and

personally, as I’ve taken on these roles. 

I feel more comfortable teaching and

leading groups—something that wasn’t part of my previous plans.

Outside of work, I’ve met so many people from different countries, including

locals and volunteers from other organizations throughout Croatia. 

It’s these relationships that make me realize I can also have a family miles away and

that truly make me feel at home.

Unlike Lisbon, Zagreb is far from the sea, but whenever I get the

chance, I take the opportunity to take a few trips to the coast (which, by the way, is one of the

most beautiful I’ve ever seen ☺️). Split and Pula were cities I really loved, with

crystal-clear waters, fantastic scenery, and plenty of activities to enjoy.

It’s been an unforgettable experience, and I’m excited to continue this

adventure, meet people from other countries, learn more Croatian, and enjoy the

warm weather that’s on its way.

O Testemunho da Inka

Now that I’m halfway through my volunteering project in Lisbon, it feels strange to realize how quickly time has passed. When I first arrived, everything felt new and unfamiliar. The city, the routines, the language, even the everyday rhythm of life here. Now, after a few months, Lisbon has started to feel a little more familiar.

At the same time, life here continues to teach me new things. One of the biggest adjustments has been sharing a house with more people. When I first arrived, there were only five of us living together, but now the house is full, with eight people in total. Living with roommates from different backgrounds can be both fun and challenging, and it has taught me a lot about communication, patience and compromise. There are naturally moments when things feel overwhelming, and living abroad also comes with periods of homesickness, lower motivation, or simply feeling tired from constantly adapting to a different environment and routine. However, I think these experiences are also an important part of growing, learning to live independently, and understanding myself better.

Another thing that continues to surprise me is the climate. Coming from Finland, I am still not fully used to how early warm weather arrives here. Even during spring, there have already been days that felt like summer to me. It is funny to hear people here describe the weather as “not that hot yet” while I am already searching for shade and carrying sunscreen with me everywhere. At the same time, temperatures around 20 degrees that used to feel pleasantly warm now suddenly feel quite chilly! Adjusting to the climate has definitely been an experience of its own, and I think conquering the summer heat might be my biggest challenge yet.

The international aspect of the project has probably been one of the most valuable things for me. Meeting people from different countries and backgrounds has given me new perspectives and helped me become more open-minded and empathetic. I’ve had many interesting and important conversations about culture, identity, future plans, and everyday life in different countries.

Now that my project is at its halfway point, I feel much more settled and confident than I did at the beginning. At the same time, it already feels a little bittersweet knowing that this experience is temporary. I still want to make the most out of the remaining months: explore more places, improve my routines, and continue growing both personally and professionally.

Even though there’s still time left, I can already say that this experience has changed me in many ways, and I’m really grateful that I decided to take this opportunity.

 

O Testemunho do Nord

Hello, my name is Nord. I’m 19 years old and I come from Spain. I’ve been living in Lisbon for around two months now, and looking back at this short period, it already feels like a much longer and deeper experience than I expected. It has been intense in every sense: emotionally, socially, and personally. 

This is not an easy experience. It requires constant adaptation, effort, and patience with yourself. There are days when everything feels new and overwhelming, when simple things become a challenge. But at the same time, I feel a very strong inner motivation that pushes me forward. I would say the effort is big, but the motivation is even bigger.

I truly see this as a unique opportunity in life. I don’t think experiences like this come often, and I believe it’s something that everyone should consider doing at least once. It takes you out of your comfort zone in a very real way, and it forces you to grow without planning it. You don’t just learn things here—you change your perspective.

During these two months, I’ve been discovering many new places around the city and beyond, and each one has its own atmosphere and story. Lisbon itself is full of life, light, and contrast, and I often find myself just observing everything around me, trying to absorb it all. At the same time, I’ve met people from different countries, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, and that mix of personalities has been one of the most enriching parts of this journey.

Little by little, I feel like I’m rediscovering myself as a person. I’m learning what I like, how I react in new environments, and how I adapt to situations I’ve never experienced before. There is something very powerful about starting almost from zero in a new place, where nothing is fully familiar and everything has to be built step by step.

One of the things I enjoy the most is learning a new language and being surrounded by a different culture. It opens your mind in ways that are hard to explain. Even everyday things become interesting when you are fully immersed in another country. New ideas, new habits, new ways of seeing life… everything feels like it adds something to you.

I also find a lot of value in the small moments: conversations, shared experiences, unexpected encounters, and simple daily routines that slowly become part of your life here. All of this is shaping my experience in a way that feels very real and meaningful.

I know this is just the beginning of my time here, but I already feel very grateful for it. It is challenging, yes, but it is also one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, and I’m excited to keep discovering what comes next.

                                         

O Testemunho da Alice

‘I find myself writing this final reflection in my last month here. These nine months have flown by: it feels like just yesterday that I arrived in Lisbon, and at the same time, I feel like I have lived every moment to the fullest. It has been an intense, full of life.

This experience has enriched me in every way, both professionally and personally. I know that leaving this place—especially the school where I worked—will be very difficult. I have contributed, even in a small way, to the growth of these children, and for almost a year I have been part of a team of educators who welcomed me with open arms from the very beginning.

I will deeply miss the life I have built here, a life that, in some way, has become home.

I remember the first week: it was very challenging. I was afraid of not being up to the project, of not finding people who were like me. And yet, shortly after, everything became so simple and natural.

I had the opportunity to visit much of Portugal, a country that never stops surprising you. I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and I’ll be taking home a bit more knowledge of Portuguese (even if I can’t say I’ve fully learned it 😊). I lived in a city I found truly beautiful. Lisbon has so much to offer, and it’s special to experience it not just as a tourist, but to really live it—gradually making once unfamiliar places feel like your own.

I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I feel that I have gained a wealth of experience that only traveling can give. But above all, it is the people you meet who make these experiences truly special—their impact is something that often leaves you speechless.’

O Testemunho do Alessandro

Hello people, I’m Alessandro and I’m from Italy.

Right now, I’ve been here in Lisbon for more than one month, and for the first time I can look back and see the beginning of my journey here from a different perspective.

My last months were incredibly chaotic, and only now I’m starting to fully realize that I’m really here.

My story here and the beginning with Spin felt like signs from destiny that I decided to follow. I was in Romania for my first training course project, in the middle of the countryside, far away from home, when I received the call from Roberta and Caterina.

I didn’t think too much about it and I just flew here. Right now, this is the philosophy of life that I’m trying to follow.

I come from a small town in the north of Italy, and for me this experience represents my first big challenge abroad and in a big city.

I changed everything in my life during the last year, and Spin and Portugal represent a new great beginning for me.

It wasn’t easy to start. Homesickness and differences are not always easy to handle, but here I found a magical place and a truly incredible group of people: beautiful because everyone is so diverse and different, but at the same time close to who I am. So many stories crossing each other, so many souls that, for one reason or another, find themselves walking together.

My first evening at Casa Anjos, when I met my flatmates Colin, Inka, Alvaro, Nord, Djibril, Alessandra and Jule, feels like a lifetime ago, and now they are part of my everyday life.

I think it’s like living inside a movie, but not only because of the house: the neighborhood, the miradouro, Caracol Park, the sunsets on the stairs, the wind while you are walking somewhere near the Tagus… everything feels unreal. And maybe exactly because it feels like a dream, my wish is to adapt as much as possible and become the protagonist of this movie myself, helping and listening to other people and their stories.

During my days, between the metro and buses stuck in traffic, I’m having the chance to work with amazing groups in Barrio Padre Cruz, in Carnide.

At the Natalia Correia Library everything feels like family, from the activities with children in the local kindergartens to the coffees with Maria and Paulinha, who welcomed me and made me feel at home as if I were their son.

I can take part in many activities by following my creativity and helping with the preparation of cultural projects, using my ideas and working together with the team.

Since I completely changed my life one year ago, I’ve been trying to become passionate about new things and worlds completely different from my past.

In my free time here in Lisbon, a whole sea of new opportunities has opened up in front of me, from Portuguese language circles to breathtaking landscapes to explore.

One of my biggest passions is discovering, seeing, and immersing myself in new places, also to let myself be inspired when I write stories, and in this first month I’ve already seen corners of Portugal that made me emotional and infinitely grateful for choosing to come here.

The adventure has just begun, and I want to continue like this: discovering unforgettable places and meeting people with incredible stories!

O Testemunho da Inka

Hi, i am Inka. I have now been in Lisbon for quite some time, and the days have flown by. Life here has been a mix of figuring out the public transportation, getting slightly lost in new neighborhoods, and slowly finding little favorite places like cafés and bookstores.

I come from a small countryside town in Finland, so living in a big city is new for me. It feels both exciting and a little intimidating. Still, I think I'm actually a city person at heart, and the colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and breathtaking views have made it easy to fall in love with this city. 

I had actually been to Lisbon once before in early December last year for an APV, which was my first time ever in the city. Because of that short visit, arriving on my own in February felt less overwhelming. I already had some familiar streets in mind and a small sense of how the city works. Even so, there were plenty of things I only started to understand once I was really living here. Choosing to come still felt like a leap into the unknown, but I knew I would rather take it than stay at home wondering what if.

Settling in at Spin has been a gradual process. The first days were slow as I learned the routines and got familiar with different tasks, but over time I started taking on more responsibility. The team has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, which has made it much easier to feel at home.

My days here continue to bring new experiences, challenges, and small successes. I'm still unsure about my own abilities, but I'm taking things one day at a time and treating this primarily as a learning experience. This is only my second time volunteering, as well as my first long-term project and first experience living abroad, so there's plenty that's new for me, but I'm fully determined to make the most of this experience!