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 

O testemunho No.1 da Gohar

 

Finally made it to Lisbon! 

My journey with SPIN started a few months ago when I first applied for a volunteering opportunity. I was thrilled to be selected, but life had other plans, and I couldn’t join at the time. Luckily, a second chance came knocking just two months later and this time, I was all in!

For me, this adventure was all about stepping out of my comfort zone. As an introvert, it was a bold move to say yes to something so different, but I wanted to challenge myself, grow, and pick up new skills along the way.

Now... let’s talk about getting to Portugal, because WOW, that was a journey in itself!

It started with a visa process that tested all my patience. It took nearly two months to get approved, and just when I thought the hard part was over, chaos hit again. I was supposed to arrive in Lisbon, enjoy a concert on April 30, and start my volunteering project with SPIN on May 1. Instead, my flight got caught up in a massive power outage, leading to cancellations, rebookings, and SPOILER ALERT!!! I missed the concert and arrived five days late.

Despite the rocky start, I couldn’t be more grateful for the support I got from the SPIN team, especially Catarina, who was incredibly kind and kept me going through it all. And my fellow volunteers? Absolute gems! Each of them brings something special to the table, and it already feels like a little community.

Now that I’m finally here, I’m hoping for smoother days ahead. I’m excited to dive deeper into the project, soak up the experience, and make the most of this amazing opportunity.

O testemunho No.1 da Alice (Crescer a Cores)

 

I arrived in Lisbon on September 7th. I remember that the first week here was very difficult: I was confused and disoriented, I didn’t really know why I had decided to leave and abandon my comfort zone, and I was scared of not finding anyone I could truly connect with and of being in a place I didn’t consider my home.

Little by little, however, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and met many wonderful people. I created my own group of friends to go out and have fun with, and together we try to see as many places in Portugal as possible. I’ve visited cities like Porto and Braga, I went to the Azores, and I did a two-day hike in the Algarve.

Beyond all this, I now consider them an integral part of this experience, and without them, being here wouldn’t be the same.

As for my project, I work in a nursery school called “Crescer a Cores.” When I arrived, I didn’t have many expectations about the service or the educational staff, but after these first months here, I can absolutely say that it is one of the most welcoming and stimulating places I have ever worked in.

Everyone speaks Portuguese, and I am slowly trying to learn it. Despite this language barrier, the educators are all so kind and have always tried in every way to make me feel like part of their family (because it truly feels like one). I remember that during one of my first weeks here, a colleague announced that she was pregnant and told me as if I were an old friend. She hugged me as if she had known me for a lifetime, and that was one of the first moments when I realized that the people there are truly special. It’s a place where you can feel such a strong sense of family that it makes me forget I am far from Italy.

To sum up these first months in Lisbon, I can definitely say that I feel really good, free, and light. I can’t wait to discover what the future holds for this experience.

O testemunho No.2 da Ilaria

My volunteering experience here in Lisbon has come to an end and I still haven't realised it. Before leaving, six months seemed like a very long time, and now it seems like they have flown by. It has been an intense period, full of emotions, experiences, people, music, exchanges, gestures and care.

I have learnt so much about myself and the world, and I have grown thanks to the constant

interaction and sharing with all the people who have been part of my project at Spin.

Life at Anjos has been magical. Feminine energy, mutual help, sharing knowledge and advice,

and all those little personal details that together have created a welcoming and warm

environment.

Each of us showed our light and our shadow with confidence.

It was curious to see the dynamics create themselves and then change and settle down, only to change again.

One of the most important things about this experience is that I learned a new way of living in a group, and for this I will always be grateful to Spin, Lisbon and all the people who were part of my Portuguese life.

I will miss all of this!

My relationship with Lisbon was also fundamental. It was the perfect setting for the inner work

that this experience required me to do. A city surrounded by nature, easily accessible. Full of

music and events of all kinds.

But above all, it was full of people from every corner of the world, which was super stimulating

for me. Two things I certainly won't miss: the hellish climbs and the slippery pavements.

However, considering that thanks to those climbs, the miradouros exist, perhaps I should

change my mind.

At work, I learned many things and, above all, I came into contact with the world of associations,

about which I knew little. One element that impressed me and made me reflect is non-formal

education. I think it is really the best way to learn and train, without performativity or hierarchies.

I conclude this experience with a heart full of gratitude.

O testemunho No.2 da Nayera (SPEAK)

I’m writing this testimony while I’m already back in my city, scrolling through my gallery and reliving all the moments I had in Portugal. At times, I felt lost, I felt nostalgic, but mostly, I felt grateful. This experience has shaped me into a better version of myself. I got to see how I function away from my comfort zone and in a foreign environment. I also saw how you can have a community and a family even if you’re far from your own.

I was very, very lucky with the people I met there, my “Anjos girls.” Though we were quite different, we managed to create our own warm space. Even our living room, from the day I arrived until the day I left, tells a story. It changed, it evolved, and it carried a part of each one of our personalities.

I also had a great support system in the members of the Spin Team, who helped me in every possible way. I write this with a heart full of love and gratitude for one hell of a year, one I will always remember, and with a longing for this wonderful city.

O testemunho No. 3 do Nacho (SPEA)

It’s really hard for me to put into words what this year and this whole experience have

meant to me. But let’s give it a try.

I remember it like it was yesterday: arriving in Lisbon alone, sad, and absolutely

terrified about the challenge ahead. But when I compare that version of Nacho to who I

am now, I can really feel how much I’ve grown. It reminds me that, even if it all went by

so fast, a lot has happened this year.

As I already said, the first few weeks weren’t easy. But as time went on, that

adjustment period became a smaller and smaller part of the overall experience. Now

I’m genuinely grateful for that time — it made me appreciate how lucky I was to have

such an opportunity.

I honestly believe that what I’ve learned this year couldn’t have been learned any other

way. I’ve improved my English and learned Portuguese, and through that I’ve

discovered how stimulating it is to build personal connections in another language. The

same goes for work: I’ve had the chance to collaborate closely with incredible

professionals and, above all, incredible people. There are even bird names that now

only come to me in Portuguese.

I’ve also learned that the world is not just your city; people are not only your social

circles; fun is not limited to your current hobbies; partying isn’t just the places you go to

every weekend; and your current self probably isn’t the most enjoyable version of you.

There are thousands of things out there waiting to be experienced, and with each new

thing you try, you discover a little bit more about yourself. And that’s the most valuable

lesson I’m taking with me.

I’m leaving Lisbon much more open to new experiences, with a better understanding of

who I am, knowing more clearly what I want in life, and above all, appreciating and

loving myself more. None of this would have been possible without all the wonderful

people I’ve met along the way. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful for every single one of

them. I know this is one of those years you simply never forget.

O testemunho do Tiago (Union Plaani ry)

A minha experiência com o ESC foi, genuinamente, a melhor coisa que já fiz na vida. Heinola foi a melhor casa que podia ter pedido e é uma comunidade onde o desporto juvenil tem um papel fundamental.

Como parte do voluntariado, tive oportunidade de trabalhar de várias maneiras dentro do Union Plaani. Atuei como monitor de campos de férias de futebol e de outros desportos variados, desempenhei o papel de treinador adjunto de uma equipa de sub-14, ajudei com a logística nos dias de jogo da equipa principal, participei de programas de futebol depois da escola nas várias escolas da cidade, entre outras pequenas funções variadas.

O ambiente foi, durante todos os quatro meses, fantástico. Tanto o staff do clube como os meus colegas voluntários foram o mais acolhedores possível, nunca tinha experienciado tanta bondade de tantas pessoas ao mesmo tempo. Saí de lá com imensa vontade de voltar.

Para além do bom ambiente em Heinola, tivemos também uma boa quantidade de tempo livre que utilizámos para viajar no norte da Europa. Fomos à Lapónia, Suécia, Estónia e Letónia.

 

O testemunho No.1 da Jule

Hello, I am Jule, I am 26, and I just arrived in Lisbon for a one year volunteering adventure. It's my first time living in a big capital city, I am very excited. So far the experience has been great! It's my first time living in a big capital city, I have to say that Lisbon is very enjoyable: human sized, with a lot of parks, dogs, beautiful beaches close by, and pretty good weather all year long. 

It is not my first time volunteering or living abroad, let's say it's my comfort zone, I have never had the opportunity to settle down in a place for more than a year, and I believe it would take more than that to fully enjoy Lisbon. 

I was warmly welcomed by Spin, unsure of my competences, they did the best job valuing my assets and reassuring me. I have been receiving really good feedback from my coworkers. I have a degree in the field of international project management, therefore being part of Spin allows me to discover the day to day tasks of the Spin team. I surely will value this new knowledge in my future professional life. 

I also have met a lot of people in a short time, I currently have 5 flatmates, I love it, I've always liked living in a community, and sharing random moments of life. Our flat, provided by Spin, is located in a lovely neighbourhood close to the city center, it's cute and comfortable. My flatmates and I have made it our home. The only thing I could complain about is that the apartment doesn't come with pets!

O testemunho No.1 da Ilaria

 

Hi, I'm Ilaria, a Spin volunteer. I've been in Lisbon for almost two months now and I feel I can share the first part of my experience here. This city and Spin have welcomed me in the best possible way. My now friend, Sinem, another volunteer, came to the airport to welcome me and help me to arrive in Casa Anjos. 

I was very nervous and worried about my level of English, the interactions that awaited me and the work I would have to do.  As always happens to me, my mind had created an extremely frightening scenario for me. Everything changed when I met the people involved in this project. The humanity, warmth and understanding of everyone were important factors in helping me to start expressing myself and come out of the symbolic safe and solitary shell I had created for myself. 

This is my first experience of living outside Italy, and I had many doubts and uncertainties before I left.

 

I am beginning to understand many things about myself, and I am happy that every day, for one reason or another, is a challenge. What I like is that these challenges are met with kindness and understanding. At work, everyone is very helpful and always willing to listen and answer questions or doubts.

I live in the Anjos house with the other volunteers, and I am happy with the relationship that is developing between us. There are now eight of us, and the space is more cramped, but the other side of this coin is that we are led to interact more and discover each other more and more. We are training our listening skills and, at times, our tolerance.  I am living in a shared room and I admit that this is one of the things that is testing me the most. Finding my space is not easy, but I am doing my best to maintain a balance between the solitude I need and the sociability I am drawn to in this experience.

Another big challenge is finding my place here in the city. I miss nature and my animals. Whenever I need support, I seek it in nature, my greatest ally. I remain open-hearted, ready to understand, discover, listen, create connections and express myself in the clearest way possible.

O testemunho No. 2 do Nacho (SPEA)

I ended my first testimony by saying that I felt the best was yet to come. And I was completely right. These last few months have been, without a doubt, some of the most intense of my life. I have met many places and people and lived many new experiences. But the most beautiful thing, and what would surprise the Nacho of a few months ago, is that I have made friends for life. Before coming here, I never thought I would be able to build such close and intimate friendships. Now I already have trips planned for after we finish our projects. 

After a few months of adaptation in which I was more focused and motivated by my work in SPEA, I have had a period of very intense social activity, which has made me know how much I like to meet people from other places and learn something from all of them. I believe that, through this kind of experiences, we can all discover a lot about ourselves and grow personally through that knowledge. 

On the other hand, my work at SPEA has only gotten better, making amazing trips with amazing companies, doing new activities that I had never done before and, above all, always learning. All my friends tell me: in places like Berlengas, the Algarve or Miranda do Douro, anyone can work happily. Between work trips and plans with friends, we could say that I have had very little “free time”. This has also made me realize that sometimes we have to reject plans, disconnect and rest a bit to be able to give our 100% to the people around us. 

In short, I think I could define these last few months as a process of fun and continuous learning, both about myself and about the people and the world around me. Now, being more than two months away from the end of my project, I am already thinking that I don't want it to end.