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.

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