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#Fear transformed into courage and hope #A joyful experience of giving and receiving love #Feeling that I am useful and loved
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Fear and doubt turned into courage and hope. Through good people and meaningful activities, I realized that I am useful somewhere and can be loved. It was a happy experience of meeting more people than ever in my life and giving and receiving a great deal of love.
A special volunteer trip in Lisbon, Portugal — one of the most beautiful regions in the world! Lee Sun-young, gap year family, gapper |
# Hello. I am a young person who went to volunteer in Lisbon, Portugal after studying and working abroad.
Hello. I participated in the three-month “A special volunteer trip in Lisbon, Portugal — one of the most beautiful regions in the world!” program.
I am Lee Sun-young, a participant in the program.
At the time I was living abroad, I had regrets about not being able to join a similar program due to circumstances,
and I happened to discover the gap year volunteer program in Lisbon, Portugal,
Since I didn’t have any particular interest in Portugal, it felt even more novel.
Before returning home to start fresh, I had time and was able to join the gap year.
* For participants who wanted to overcome trauma in relationships and find their true selves,customized one-on-one personal missions — such as activities to get close to foreign friends and to understand oneself — were provided daily, and a gap year notebook was also provided to reflect on oneself and make plans.
>> Participation fee: 100 won! Go to the gap year missions
# I wanted to be free from the past and understand myself.
Through the gap year period an opportunity to be true to my feelings and live comfortablyI wanted to have.
A perspective of looking at the world positively and a habit of not doubting others in relationshipsI wanted to develop,
confidenceand with it, I wanted to find what I truly wantwas my goal.
Also, meeting diverse people and doing volunteer work in PortugalI also wanted to be free from past traumaas well.
The gap year coordinator took care of everything from orientation to the required documents, so I was able to depart safely.
# It was a happy experience in which I met more people and received more love than at any other time in my life.
I have vivid memories of the volunteers from other countries and the local staff.
The local coordinator I could always communicate with comfortably, the accommodation manager I was close to like an older or younger sibling,
the staff at the desk who always greeted me with a bright smile, coordinators who came from other regions and accompanied and interacted with us, and so on.
Thanks to many local staff members, I was able to complete the Portugal Lisbon overseas volunteer gap year smoothly.
Although we were of different nationalities, I made so many memories with kind, humorous, thoughtful, and considerate volunteer friends.
I was always so happy to meet the capoeira teacher who helped me discover my hidden talent and the tuk‑tuk guide who was always kind and friendly.
# It was a happy experience in which I met more people and received more love than at any other time in my life.
# I learned how to give and receive love by meeting good people.
While living abroad I experienced the disappointment of a goal I thought was a dream being dashed, and I felt a profound sense of loss.
After returning home I vowed to try something new, but I was still depressed and lethargic, and I especially had severe trauma around relationships.
During the Portugal Lisbon overseas volunteer gap year, I met so many good people,
and before I knew it,I had become someone who gradually opened my heart to others, formed relationships, and gave and received love.
Being with them, I realized that I too am someone who is useful somewhere and deserving of love.
I was grateful that I could receive help and encouragement when I was having a hard time,
and I learned how happy it is to spend time laughing and socializing with good people.
# A day in the Portugal Lisbon overseas volunteer gap year!
Volunteer work is only two hours a day. In my case it was from 6 PM to 8 PM, and after activities I spent personal time after dinner.
Before activities I spent my time freely — after lunch at the accommodation I would go to a café or explore downtown Lisbon.
The accommodation offered capoeira classes, the traditional Brazilian martial art, so I trained several times,
and on weekends I traveled to nearby areas around Lisbon or to farther places.
# My personal tips for the Portugal Lisbon overseas volunteer gap year!
- Language
With multinational participants gathered, English was mainly used.
I thought I was fluent in English after living abroad for a long time, but even if you’re not, don’t worry too much.
Everyone was kind, and there was an atmosphere of waiting for and helping one another.
- Accommodation
I stayed in accommodation provided by the organization. They always kept it clean, so I was able to live in a comfortable environment.
However, since there are also outside guests, don''t forget to keep your personal items in your private space rather than leaving them in common areas!
-Meals
I mainly used the meals provided by the accommodation.
A vegetarian menu is always available, and every Friday is "Veggie Friday," when both lunch and dinner are vegetarian.
You can order a lemonade made from whole blended lemons before the meal — I recommend it.
-What to bring
The voltage is the same as in Korea, so there was nothing special to prepare.
In my case, because the accommodation is shared by many people,
I brought a hair dryer, a sleep mask and earplugs, personal hygiene items, and a generous supply of towels.
Since the accommodation is shared, if you''re sensitive to noise while sleeping, I recommend bringing a sleep mask and earplugs.
# Just come with an open mind!
Portugal — Lisbon overseas volunteer gap yearThe program schedule is very relaxed.
There is plenty of time to take in Lisbon''s beauty — so picturesque that you could call every spot a photo shoot.
If you come comfortably with an open mind and enjoy yourself,
you''ll naturally make lots of friends and see how you''ve changed.
# Explore the beautiful corners of Lisbon, Portugal!
With so much free time in the program, I wandered around a lot :) Lisbon was beautiful everywhere.
Near the accommodation, I often went to the egg tart spot Pastéis de Belém located next to the monastery.
I often watched the sunset near Belém Tower or at Confeitaria Nacional Belém, which is located right by the river.
Comercio Square, reached by following the river toward the city center, was always nice, and I liked the unique liveliness of the city center itself.
Places like Baixa-Chiado and Alfama were beautiful and full of surprises in every nook and cranny.
Nearby are Portas do Sol (Sun gate for sunrise), Castelo de S. Jorge (sunset on the castle),
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte (sunset on the grassfield), and other viewpoints were great.
If you visit Cristo Rei in Almada, be sure to take the ferry! (For reference, the ferry terminal is near Comercio Square.)
Cascais Beach isn''t far and has a relaxed feel. It''s good for naps and the sunset view is beautiful.
When I visited Sintra, the Moorish Castle and the Pena Palace felt as if I had stepped into a fairy tale.
They were especially unrealistically beautiful at dusk.
# My gap year?
1. Experience ★★★★★
These were experiences I could never have had if it weren''t for taking a gap year.
2. Learning★★★★★
I learned a lot through interacting with various people and through volunteer work.
3. Environment★★★★★
The staff cleaned every day, and in particular they changed the pillows and bed sheets in the accommodation weekly, so it was comfortable.
4. Safety★★★★★
The accommodation was located in a safe neighborhood, and staff lived on-site and managed it continuously, so it was very safe.
5. Leisure★★★★★
It was a relaxed project, so I was able to get around Lisbon.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
