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.