My name is Federica, I’m Italian and I arrived in Portugal on July 2009 as Leonardo intern.
I really enjoyed my experience and I have learnt a lot during the four months of internship. I was really happy when I got the offer to stay and I accepted with a lot of enthusiasm the proposal of my colleagues to stay and work with them one more year.
When Silvia asked me if I wanted to be the mentor of the 3 new volunteers that “Coração” was about to host, I faced this new task with willingness and commitment since I already know the feeling of people who arrive in a new country by himself with the perspective of staying for few months.
I know what may be the expectations of the first days and what may be the fears in this kind of situation.
Since July 2009 my bond with Lisbon and Portugal got stronger and nowadays I definitely feel this country as my second home after Italy.
I would therefore like to transfer my interest and passion towards this country to them and help them to feel comfortable from the first weeks here.
