When I embarked on this volunteering project at Sfera International, little did I know that the experience would enrich me so much to the point that I would leave Macedonia as a new and improved (hopefully) version of myself.
Hello, my name is Joana and I’m from Portugal
Before this project, I was working full-time as a designer and I was completely bored of my life, and with an urge to change my reality. I had no idea what I had in mind when I applied, I just knew I needed something different.
One of the first things I learned, is that even though the macedonians and the portuguese live in opposite sides of Europe, I couldn’t help myself and find many similarities: we’re very warm and welcoming when we meet new people, we’re always a bit late to everything, we always have time for coffee (no matter how busy we are) and we’re always willing to help others. But there’s also other things that the macedonians have that I have adapted in my life: I’m definitely more affectionate now, I don’t feel the need to control everything around me anymore and sometimes there’s no need to plan everything in detail, and when things don’t go the way it should, everything will be fine in the end.
On my first day at work, I was immediately greeted with warmth by Sfera. It was also an “unusual” day, since we had to prepare an art exhibition at Europe House, which, apparently, was very uncommon. I was surprised that I didn’t experience any language barrier, since everyone spoke English so fluently, and how nice and playful everyone was in our team. I was also glad that I could see how my coworkers functioned together right from the start, which made me see what was waiting for me for the next 3 months.
At first, during my activities at the Youth Center, I couldn’t help myself but feel extremely nervous and overwhelmed. I have always struggled with public speaking, so giving the activities alone was a huge step forward to take myself out of my comfort zone. While I was sharing my knowledge about graphic design, I found myself not only teaching but also learning with others. It didn’t take too long for me to realize that the Youth Center was going to be my safe space, as I learned that mistakes can be opportunities for growth, and setbacks were viewed as stepping stones towards progress.
This project made me grow in so many ways that I didn't expect. Not only in my professional life, but also in my personal growth. This experience gave me the opportunity to share and value many intercultural differences, and I came to appreciate how those differences enrich our lives in ways we may not initially recognize. The exchange of ideas, perspectives, and customs have expanded my understanding of the world and myself, thanks to my international friends and acquaintances that I made in Macedonia.
I can only be grateful to Sfera International for giving me the experience of a lifetime, and to make me appreciate the beauty of Macedonia at its fullest.
