Holaaa :)))

My name is Jessica, I’m 25 years old, and I come from Italy, specifically from Calabria, from a town called Castrovillari.

I arrived in Catalonia, in Terrassa, a month ago to embark on a new experience, an opportunity to grow, challenge myself, and rediscover who I am.

I like Terrassa, especially because I live in the city centre and everything is within easy reach. I love the feeling of having everything nearby because it reminds me of my hometown in Italy. I also enjoy going out for a walk, stopping somewhere to get a drink, or simply wandering around without any particular destination and observing what’s around me. These moments help me appreciate the place where I live. I still have so much to explore and discover, but there will be plenty of opportunities to do so.

I decided to leave because I felt the need to change something in my life, step outside my comfort zone, and prove to myself that I am capable of doing things even when fear tries to hold me back. I chose Spain because it has always fascinated me. I wanted to learn a new language, discover a new culture, learn how to be on my own, and understand who I truly am and what I want for my future, which, to be honest, scares me a lot at the moment.

Before leaving, I quit my previous job, where I didn’t feel valued and which, on a personal level, didn’t feel right for me. I left my family and my favourite people back home, waiting for me to return.
I needed something different, an environment where I could feel free to be myself and rediscover the part of me that I feel I have lost over the past few months. I want to become my cheerful self again, learn new things, and face life with more enthusiasm and a lighter heart.

I come from Calabria, a beautiful region rich in traditions, stunning landscapes, and people who are deeply attached to their roots, just like me.
At the same time, finding opportunities there is not always easy. Possibilities can be limited, and this can make you feel stuck in a place that, no matter how much you love it, sometimes cannot offer everything you dream of.
That is why I felt the need to move away, not because I don’t love my homeland, but because I needed to discover what lay beyond it and find out how far I could go.

One of the reasons I chose this project, which brought me to work with PRODIS, is connected to my personality. I am a very empathetic person, sensitive to other people’s emotions, and I love making others feel welcome and accepted. I have always believed that even the smallest gestures can make a big difference and that sometimes, simply giving someone a little of your time can bring them a moment of happiness.
During this first month, working with PRODIS has allowed me to meet many people, especially the young people who take part in the daily activities. Each of them is teaching me something through their gestures, the moments we share, and, above all, their WILL TO LIVE AND TRY NEW THINGS.
We have sewn, drawn, played games, and taken part in many activities together. One of the things that has touched my heart the most was crocheting two bags for two girls. It was a way to express my affection and show that even a small gift can convey something genuine. Seeing how happy they were made me realise how important it is to dedicate time to others and how much value even the smallest gestures can have.

I am happy that I chose this project, and I hope to share many more experiences with all of them, continuing to learn and contribute something of my own.

One of the things I really enjoy here is attending the Catalan language course. It is an interesting experience, not only because it allows me to learn a new language, but also because I get to share this journey with the other volunteers. Attending the course together makes everything more enjoyable and fun. I love how we all make silly mistakes during the lessons! xD

Despite all the beautiful things I have experienced, this first month has not always been easy. The first few weeks were particularly challenging emotionally. At the beginning, I felt a deep sense of homesickness. I missed my family, my routines, and all those little things that we sometimes take for granted when we have them in our everyday lives. When you are far from home, however, you learn to appreciate even the simplest gestures, the people you love, and the places that are part of your life in a completely different way.

The person I miss the most is my little dog, who is an incredibly important part of my life. She has always been a source of love, comfort, and peace, even when I struggled to find those things elsewhere. Being away from her has been very painful because I know how special our bond is. There have been moments when I simply wanted to go home and feel that sense of peace I experience when I am with her again.
However, this experience is helping me realise just how strong I am.

Language has also been a challenge, especially when I have had to communicate in English. Sometimes, not being able to express exactly what I think or feel has made me feel insecure and uncomfortable.
Learning a new language takes time, patience, and lots of practice (that is one of the reasons I am here, after all!). So I am trying not to get discouraged and to face every difficulty as it comes. I have to say, though, that I am managing quite well because, after just one month, I have already learned a lot and can make myself understood, thanks to the other volunteers, who always speak to me in English.

Another important challenge has to do with my personality. I am quite a reserved person, and I find it difficult to open up to others straight away. I cannot always show what I am feeling. I need time to trust people, feel comfortable around them, and let them see who I really am. For this reason, meeting new people and building relationships is not always easy for me.
However, I came here partly to work on this very aspect of myself. I want to learn to be more open, let go a little, and allow myself to be more spontaneous.

I am trying to build new habits, organise my days differently, and learn how to manage my daily life without always having the people I am used to around me. Living in another country also means learning to stand on your own two feet, deal with unexpected situations, make decisions, and find your own balance in a new environment.
There are days when I feel strong and proud of the choice I have made, and others when I feel more fragile, miss the security of home, and wonder whether I will be able to handle everything. However, I am learning that both of these emotions are part of the journey and that I do not always have to be strong.

I am here thanks to this opportunity to discover a culture different from my own, observe new habits, and listen to a language that I want to improve every day.

I like to think that every day can bring me something new and that even a simple conversation or a shared activity can teach me something valuable.

This first month is teaching me that leaving home does not simply mean changing places. It also means facing your fears, your insecurities, and those parts of yourself that you often try to avoid.
Personal growth does not happen all at once, and making a brave decision is not enough to suddenly feel like a different person. It takes time, patience, and willpower. Above all, you have to accept that there will be both beautiful moments and difficult ones.

I am learning to understand myself better, recognise my emotions, and figure out what I need to feel good. I am discovering that I can miss home and, at the same time, be happy to be here. I can feel afraid and still keep moving forward. I can feel vulnerable and still manage to do things that once seemed difficult to me.

I hope that, over the coming months, this experience will give me so much to take home with me: wonderful memories, new skills, and a greater awareness of who I am. But above all, I hope to return to Italy knowing that I had the courage to give this experience a chance.

I am here to rediscover the part of me that may have simply been hiding for a while.

I do not yet know exactly where this journey will take me, but I know that I want to live it to the fullest, embracing its challenges, its emotions, and all the opportunities it has to offer.

See you in the next chapterrrrr !!!