O testemunho final da Beyza (Spin)

 

Hello everyone,

    

  Well, I was expecting that It will pass very fast but It was more than I expected for sure. This is my last week and I feel very emotional L  I literally don’t want to leave.. Life is life.

Last months were really fun. In November I had small trip to Prag and Dresden. I definitely suggest to go to Prag during winter eve though It’s very cold. The city has magic itself. I ‘ve visited Christmas markets in both cities, I felt that I am in the movie scene. 

Since we started to live with the new volunteers, my days at Casa B were way better. During December I had a lot of activities around Lisbon. Whole the city has Christmas vibes already. So me and my flatmates went to the Wonderland Lisboa together. I think It was one of the most interesting xmas market I’ve ever seen because It’s not the typical one and the weather was 17 degrees..

In the office, after some busy months december was chill, we had some christmas activities together for the neighboorhoud of Carnide . They wanted from us to make Xmas tree that represents our Ngo. Me and other volunteers did that tree with the objects we have in the office. After that we went to see that tree in Carnide. They hang all the trees they have to the bigger tree. It will stay there till the new year.

We had some Christmas holiday in the office so I decided to make some plan for the Christmas and the new year. My Portuguese friend Carolina invited me her hometown for Christmas. It was so so nice.. We went to Castelo Branco together and I met with her all relatives. Her parents and grandparents prepared amazing food. It was actually my first Christmas so I will always remember that. After that I came back to Lisbon to spend my days with my flatmates.

   Before the New year I flew to France to be together with my Turkish friend in Nancy. I also had chance to see Paris.. Meu Deus, It was one of the best city. I fell in love with the cities and the croissant. <3 I met with my French flatmate there aka Dodo. Dodo and his friend made amazing Paris tour for me It was so nice.

 

After that We went office back. Neighboorhood of Carnide arranged traditional lunch for elder people of Carnide. Me and other volunteers were there to serve the food for them. I really felt the feeling of being volunteer that moment. It was unforgettable and I was using my Portuguese skills which I don’t have at all to communicate with them.

So I think we are coming to the final.. I am very very grateful to have this opportunity. I gained a lot of things and met with amazing people during my volunteering. Thank you ALL. Hope to see you again. 

Beijinhos <3

O testemunho No. 2 da Beyza (Spin)

 

Hello everyone 

The month full of surprises. It has been almost 3 months since I was in Lisbon. I still can't believe how It went by so fast. already feel I am local here. This city has magic. I also really like the people at the office and the volunteers at home.

Me and the other volunteers decided to make a vertical garden in the office and I collected plastic bottles for this. Later on, we will paint the bottles and turn them into vases. It sounds interesting.

We decided to have an international lunch every week at the office. This week it was my turn. I cooked potato salad, shepherd's salad (çoban salatasi) , pastry (pogaça) and custard with mastic ( sakizli muhallebi) . We set up a table outside and we had a nice lunch together. Although I'm not very good at cooking, I think I did a good job with the help of others. :) Trying new things while I'm here makes me happy at the end of the day. I think that's the purpose of volunteering

The first week of September, we went to the weekend camp attended by volunteers living in Portugal. It took place in Camp Amarante. I had the opportunity to meet many volunteers from different cultures and learn about their volunteering experiences. It was a very nice experience.

Besides that, during this volunteering we have 2 training sessions and one of them was last week. I went to Braga to meet with the other volunteers around Portugal. It was an amazing opportunity. We had a chance to do activities and spend time together. I made new friendships. During the training the facilitators were teaching us how we can make our life easier as volunteers. After the sessions we visited the city centre of Braga and Bom Jesus Do Monte. The viewpoint from Bom Jesus was incredible.. 

Travel..... <3

This month I did a mini tour of Southern Spain. It was a trip that I was very happy with and saved a lot of memories. I had a reunion with many of my friends and I had the opportunity to get to know their family/friends. They showed me the important places in the city and we tasted traditional dishes together such as Crochettas, Paella, Gazpacho etc. The beauties of Andalusia and especially Alhambra impressed me a lot. I am hoping to go back there. Thanks.

O testemunho No. 1 da Beyza (Spin)

 

Hello Everyone

My name is Beyza. I am from Turkey and I am 24 years old. I am really excited about living and being a volunteer at Spin because It's my first time in Portugal and also will be the longest time being away from home. It wasn't easy to find volunteering especially if you need a visa for all the EU countries ☺ I´ve been looking for an ESC for 7 months and luckily I met with Spin by my friend Gjorgi who had participated in a project in May with Spin. It's A pleasure for me to be here.

Before I came here everybody was saying that you´ll love Lisbon because It's very similar to Istanbul. Well IT IS! I already felt like here is like my home. There is something that makes this city magical but I can't explain it yet ☺ When I arrived in Lisbon ,Lisa and Ertugrul picked me up from the airport which made me so happy. They are also my flatmates.

About the house, I mean I really liked it. When you go inside from the apartment you can easily say that the house is very Portuguese – colorful and tiled walls, wooden stairs – and also the volunteers were very kind and nice to me. They showed and explained everything about the house,

The 2nd day in Lisbon, Amr helped me to get a SIM Card and after that I did a small tour in the city. The Portuguese people were really helpful to me about the location of some places while discovering the city, even though some of them didn't know English. The first word I learned in Portuguese was ‘SAIDA´ If you don´t understand anything just follow ´Saida´.

I actually arrived in Lisbon on the 15th of July and I met with the Spin team on the 19th of July. They were so nice and they arranged a welcome day for me. I felt so happy. One of the new volunteers Monika made us lunch <3 I am hoping the bond between me and the Spin team will be stronger than now. I just can’t wait to spend my days here. I am sure I will have more things to tell for the next testimony. Thanks.