Angela in Portugal

Thanks to ESC, I had the incredible opportunity to spend four months in a beautiful country like Portugal — a time of constant self-discovery and personal growth.

This wasn’t my first time living abroad, I had previously spent five months as an exchange student in Greece during university. But this experience was completely different. Being a volunteer offers a unique perspective, because it's not just about learning, but also about giving back and becoming part of a community.

During the first two months, I worked alongside three other volunteers in a kindergarten and an elderly care home, offering real-time help wherever it was needed. When the first group of volunteers left, it was a real challenge to say goodbye. But soon, a new group arrived, four girls from different backgrounds and meeting them brought new energy and more cultural exchange.

With the new team, our focus shifted to organizing workshops for local communities. I had the chance to teach English, which was both rewarding and eye-opening. I also participated in two youth exchanges organized by Check-In, which gave me a unique insight into how these projects work from the inside. 

These exchanges were held in the beautiful coastal village of Vila Nova de Milfontes. I met wonderful people from all over Europe — France, Spain, Italy, Poland — and those connections made the experience even richer.

Beja, the city where I lived, is small compared to Budapest. At first, it felt like there wasn’t much to do. But over time, I grew to appreciate its quiet charm, the narrow cobblestone streets, the historic castle, and of course, the pastelarias on every corner. We often tried to strike up conversations with the local waiters, who were always kind and welcoming, even if we didn’t speak the same language.

Even though Beja isn’t on the coast, I still managed to visit the ocean on weekends. The nearest beach town was just an hour and 40 minutes away. One of the highlights of my trip was finally learning how to surf in Albufeira — a dream come true and an unforgettable experience.