And just like that my time here has come to an end, so if you don’t mind I’m going to make a coupe of reflections on my experience at Rato.
When I think back to my first days here, it feels like remembering someone else. I arrived excited, but mostly just scared. I thought I was prepared. I had my luggage packed, my expectations set, my mind open. But nothing really prepares you for what it’s like to step into a new country, into a new routine, where even the simplest things, (even typing on a different keyboard) feel unfamiliar.
On my first day in the office, I was genuinely nervous. Everything was new. I smiled a lot, nodded when I wasn’t sure, and tried hard not to show how overwhelmed I felt.
Communicating in English, something I was so confident on paper, suddenly felt like a challenge. Not because I didn’t know the language, but because I had never relied on it this much, all day, every day. It was exhausting. I had so many thoughts I wanted to express, but I didn’t always have the right words ready. That feeling of wanting to say so much and being held back by language was frustrating in a way I hadn’t expected.
Now I’m very happy to be able to say that it comes to me naturally and I no longer feel that way.
But slowly, it got better.
Little by little, I stopped overthinking everything I said. I found ways to express myself, even when the words weren’t perfect. I got used to the sounds and rhythms around me, to the daily patterns of the office, to the quiet comfort of routines. I started feeling more like myself again.
This time hasn’t just been about learning new skills or completing a project. It’s been about learning how to be okay with discomfort. How to be patient with myself when I don’t get things right the first time.
I learned about the importance of daring, of simply just trying. And that adapting doesn’t mean changing who you are, but rather giving yourself space to grow into something new. I’ve always been someone that needs to feel sure about the next step before even attempting at taking it, which I suppose it’s not wrong per se, but during my time here I learned that sometimes it’s a hundred times better to just throw yourself into it and challenge it headfirst. Certainty and safety don’t always have to be there, often the time it takes you to achieve them it’s time lost from discovering and learning new things, exploring and accomplishing new goals.
Now, at the end of this experience, I don’t feel the nervousness I felt in the beginning. I feel proud. Not just of the work I’ve done, but of how far I’ve come, from the girl who was shaking on her first day, to someone who now moves through this space with ease.
I will leave Portugal with my heart full of memories and my mind set on the next challenge.
For the last time,
Adeus,
Sofia
PS. As a final present for the future volunteers here’s a list of useful tips:
- To make friends try to look into Erasmus groups (ESN or ELL) on Facebook (they organize a lot of things (some lame, some interesting) but it’s useful to meet people and once you have you don’t have to attend anymore). Trying surfing is also a good way to meet people.
- The first Sunday of the month some museums are free.
- Time out market and LX Factory are a bit of a tourist trap, but have free bathrooms!
- If you’re in Lisbon and you want to rest or spend some time in a cool/warm place you can go to the beautiful Biblioteca Camões (also has free bathrooms) instead of a coffee shop.
- I also highly recommend the beautiful park of the Gulbenkian foundation. There are many people bringing towels and having a picnic.
