4 months of Portugal – a Life- Changing Experience

A new experience abroad, new impressions, and maybe a new source of inspiration for all of you!

Alessia spent only 4 months in Portugal, but the emotional impact and the skills she gained exceeded all the expectations she had at the beginning. This confirms what we’ve told you more than once: a volunteering project can truly be a LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE.

We won’t go on much longer and will instead let you read what Alessia shared with us:

“My volunteering experience in Portugal with the European Solidarity Corps has just come to an end, and I couldn’t feel more fulfilled.
Looking back at the person I was four months ago, setting foot in Portugal for the first time, it all feels both distant and incredibly close, as if I can’t quite understand how I managed to fit so many experiences into such a short time.
Unsatisfied with what I was doing in Italy, I arrived in Barcelos with a suitcase full of fears and uncertainties, but also with great expectations, curiosity, and an unstoppable desire to embrace the new and open myself to a different reality, offering all of myself to others.
The impact with this new context was an avalanche of emotions that, to be honest, at times—though brief—truly challenged me, making me question whether I was capable of completing what I had started. In fact, although it wasn’t my first experience abroad, it was the first time I moved to a country where I didn’t speak the language, and the initial difficulty in communicating with locals felt enormous. Since I carried out most of the activities in a recreational center for the elderly (who spoke only Portuguese), I felt lost, unable to express myself fully.
And yet, after the initial disorientation, something changed, and I took home the first lesson of this experience: there are no insurmountable barriers. When there’s a real will to show affection, to be present, you always find a way. Despite the language barrier, I managed to build a beautiful relationship with the elderly, who quickly found a place in my heart, making me feel like an adopted granddaughter.
I will always carry with me the memories of afternoons spent playing dominoes, singing, or simply listening to their stories—which, after a month, I was finally able to understand! Their affection was crucial, especially during moments when I felt that my presence there wasn’t necessary, as most of the work was done by the social workers. And yet, a smile, a hug, or a simple “Obrigada” was enough to remind me that just being there made a difference in their day.
Among the most rewarding activities I took part in were definitely the donations of food, clothes, and school books to those in need. Seeing the gratitude in the eyes of those receiving them gave me a sense of fulfillment I can’t explain.
Thanks to the NGO SOPRO, I also participated in organizing fundraisers, awareness campaigns on human rights in schools, and various other projects that allowed me to see firsthand how vital volunteers’ work is and how much it can impact the entire community.
This has been one of the most transformative life experiences I’ve ever had. I developed both social and professional skills. I improved my communication abilities by adapting them to different groups and going beyond verbal interaction. I developed adaptability and flexibility, working in a dynamic environment where resources were often limited and plans changed frequently.
For almost four months, I lived with other volunteers from five different countries who, despite an eight-year age gap, became my family, sharing unforgettable moments with me. Through each other’s eyes and words, we traveled and discovered our cultures—it was beautiful.
Thanks to this project, I learned that being a volunteer isn’t just about helping others, but about forming a deep connection that goes beyond the material—it’s about growing, discovering something new every day, and rediscovering yourself.
I learned that even though it can be scary, sometimes it’s essential to leave certainty behind and step into the unknown to see what it has in store for us—because that’s when life reveals itself in all its unpredictability and beauty, breaking down statistics, barriers, and borders.
The European Solidarity Corps is a great opportunity to challenge yourself, discover a new country, a new culture, a new language, and gain skills that are important even professionally. It’s a way to meet people from all over Europe and feel part of a community.
It’s an experience I would recommend to every young person: whether you’ve just finished school or university, feel unsatisfied with your job, or simply want to try something new—volunteering could be the right choice.
Whether you’re 18 or 30, it’s never too early or too late… it’s just the right time!”