Católica students prepare for a life-changing international volunteering experience
Students from the Braga, Lisbon, and Porto campi of Universidade Católica Portuguesa took part in a FLY training meeting, part of the international volunteering programme promoted by the Jesuit Universities of Spain (UNIJES) and Universidade Católica Portuguesa. The training brought together more than 180 students from various universities and included a range of activities aimed at equipping volunteers for missions taking place over the summer in countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and America, working in areas such as Migration, Social Exclusion, and Care for Individuals and Communities.
The training took place from March 13 to 15 at Casa San José in El Escorial and began with the students’ symbolic embarkation on the experience. Each of the main project areas then led activities highlighting that, in vulnerable contexts, the greatest risk is not in the initial intensity, but in progressive burnout. For this reason, the importance of maintaining a sustained professional attitude was emphasised, ensuring consistency, stability, and authority throughout the entire journey.
“This weekend was very enriching, challenging me through the language and through meeting new people,” says Lucília Pestana, a Psychology student from the Lisbon campus. “I learned to communicate in different ways, to work as part of a team, and to reflect on important issues. I leave with greater confidence and openness to new experiences.”
The volunteers took part in various activities, deepening their motivations, expectations, and collective commitment. In the final stage, each group prepared for departure by defining roles, establishing team commitments, and agreeing on shared guidelines for living together, strengthening cohesion, and reinforcing bonds among the team.
For Diana Silva, a master’s student in Psychology from the Braga campus, the experience provided an opportunity to meet her future teammates: “This international volunteering training allowed me to get to know the team I will be working with for a month in Bolivia. I felt that each activity had a clear purpose, helping us to build connections with fellow volunteers and to prepare for the challenges of volunteering. I leave this experience feeling confident, motivated, and enthusiastic to begin my mission, knowing I have a fantastic team by my side.”
Sarah Nascimento, a Nursing student from the Porto campus, said that the experience helped her learn “that the success of the project begins with harmony among the volunteers, making this a very enriching experience.”
“Seeing the enthusiasm of students in embracing this experience is proof that they are young agents of change. From the 30 staff members who made the planning and delivery of all activities possible to the 185 students who engaged in every activity to make others’ summer better.”, emphasises Constança Barbosa, Coordinator of CASO, “This is a spirit of service and commitment that is extremely important for university students.”
In total, 10 students from the Braga, Lisbon, and Porto campi of Universidade Católica Portuguesa will take part in volunteering missions this summer in Spain, Italy, Brazil, Angola, and Bolivia.