Paola's experience in Portugal

It was an incredible year made up of people, emotions, and unforgettable landscapes. These twelve months opened my mind to new worlds and new cultures, and above all, they opened a wide door within myself. I feel changed: I learned how to slow down, to truly enjoy things and time—something that often feels impossible in the fast-paced rhythm of everyday life. I learned to understand what I truly like and what I no longer want to do. I learned how to wait.

In the project I chose, I supported educators in an association working with people with different disabilities. What surprised me the most was the cooperation among the people at the center, always helping their friends stand back up and face daily tasks together. Their smiling faces, laughter, and the everyday life we built together are the things I will carry with me in my personal suitcase.

I truly recommend this experience to everyone, even to those who feel doubtful or afraid of getting lost by stepping outside their comfort zone—because in that project you will find a family of people ready to share the same doubts, fears, and feelings of missing home. You will never feel alone, and you will grow together with these people, each at your own pace and in your own way. It won’t always be easy, but it will be a little easier when you are surrounded by people who truly understand you.

I thank my friends for supporting my decision to leave, I thank my fellow volunteers for being my family during this experience, and I thank Portugal and its people for gently welcoming me into their country.

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