Moje ime je Andrea Sánchez, imam 24 godine i dolazim iz Španjolske. Dolazim iz malog sela u Ekstremaduri koje se zove Talarrubias, ali preselila sam se u Madrid kako bih završila studij radne terapije i socijalnog rada. Ta dva područja omogućila su mi da proširim svoju perspektivu o vrlo raznolikim stvarnostima, a danas se i dalje usavršavam kako bih mogla holistički podržati ranjive skupine: osobe s invaliditetom, migrante, LGTBIQA+ osobe, žene, djecu, starije osobe i svakoga tko treba siguran prostor u kojem se može osjećati viđeno, saslušano i poštovano.

Što se tiče mojih interesa, uživam u aktivnostima koje mi pomažu da i dalje istražujem tko sam: prakticiranje joge, putovanja i otkrivanje novih kultura, lutanje po muzejima ili izložbama, čitanje, slušanje glazbe i davanje prostora kreativnosti u svim njezinim oblicima. Cijenim i provođenje vremena u prirodi jer mi pomaže odmaknuti se od svakodnevne rutine i napuniti baterije. A iznad svega, cijenim sve što je povezano s ljudskim odnosima i suživotom. Volim provoditi vrijeme s prijateljima i obitelji, voditi iskrene razgovore, zajedno se smijati i dijeliti jednostavne trenutke. Motivira me i upoznavanje novih ljudi, jer svatko donosi drugačiju perspektivu i, na ovaj ili onaj način, na kraju te nečemu nauči.

Nakon što sam ove godine završila studij, odlučila sam krenuti novim putem koji će mi omogućiti da rastem i osobno i profesionalno. Dvadesete godine mogu biti čudna faza: pune uzbuđenja, da, ali i sumnji, traganja i osjećaja izgubljenosti dok pokušavaš pronaći svoje mjesto. Zato sam odlučila napraviti korak o kojem već dugo razmišljam: izaći iz svoje zone komfora i započeti novu avanturu.

Moja povezanost s Društvenim ateljeom proizašla je iz mog tromjesečnog volonterskog iskustva u DKolektivu, gdje surađujem i razvijam različite aktivnosti i radionice koje su dio programa DAtelje. Sudjelujem u programu ESS (Europskih snaga solidarnosti), u sklopu projekta “Inclusive Community”, koji se savršeno uklapa u vrijednosti ove organizacije i u moje shvaćanje socijalnog rada i izgradnje zajednice.

Planiranje i provođenje radionica samostalno bio je izazov koji mi je omogućio ogroman rast. Morala sam donositi odluke, bolje se organizirati i pronalaziti kreativna rješenja, što mi je pomoglo sazrijeti i osobno i profesionalno. Sada se osjećam sigurnije i razvila sam nove vještine: jasnije komunicirati na jeziku koji nije moj materinji, učinkovito upravljati vremenom, koristiti digitalne alate i prilagođavati se novim situacijama. Također sam shvatila koliko mi je važan kontakt s drugim ljudima. Naučila sam cijeniti dobro u svakoj osobi i razumjeti da svi dolazimo iz različitih stvarnosti i puteva te da je upravo ta raznolikost ono što obogaćuje cijelo iskustvo.

Još jedan važan dio mog volontiranja bilo je sudjelovanje u Spanish to Go, tečajevima španjolskog jezika za osobe koje uče hrvatski. Podučavanje vlastitog jezika omogućilo mi je da se povežem s ljudima na drugačiji način, prilagođavam materijale, budem strpljivija i objašnjavam vlastitu kulturu iz nove perspektive. Sudjelovala sam i u English Speaking Clubu, gdje sam, osim što sam poboljšala svoj engleski, naučila komunicirati sigurnije, bolje slušati i sudjelovati u vrlo raznolikim razgovorima.

Jedan od najznačajnijih trenutaka ovog iskustva bila je provedba projekta Voices Unheard, mog vlastitog projekta u nekoliko srednjih škola. Osmišljavanje i facilitiranje ove radionice mnogo mi je značilo, jer sam osjećala da primjenjujem sve što sam naučila kako bih stvorila siguran prostor u kojem se mladi mogu izraziti i razmišljati o temama koje su često osjetljive ili kontroverzne u društvu. Proces je bio izuzetno ispunjavajući. Učenici su sudjelovali s interesom, prirodno dijelili svoja mišljenja i pokazali osjetljivost koja me oduševila. Povratne informacije koje sam dobila bile su sjajne, a vidjeti kako se povezuju s sadržajem i odlaze s novim idejama ili svjesnijim pogledom na stvari dalo mi je osjećaj da se sav trud isplatio. Ovo iskustvo potvrdilo mi je da je upravo ovo ono što želim raditi: stvarati prostore za dijalog, otvarati važne razgovore i pratiti ljude dok pokušavaju razumjeti svijet i sebe. To je bio projekt koji nije doprinio samo njima, nego i meni; učila sam, rasla i potvrdila da me ovaj profesionalni put zaista usrećuje.

U rujnu sam stigla s dva kofera, jezikom koji nisam poznavala, nekoliko strahova i novim gradom koji sam trebala istražiti. Ipak, korak po korak, kroz iskustva, divne ljude i svakodnevno učenje, Osijek je polako postao dom.

Sada, kada se ovo poglavlje privodi kraju, shvaćam da se vraćam kući s mnogo više nego što sam donijela: uspomenama, ljudima koji su sada dio moje priče, osjećajem da sam rasla i sigurnošću da su svi početni strahovi bili vrijedni. Osijek i DKolektiv su me oblikovali, i zato odlazim punog srca i s osjećajem da će ovaj grad, na neki način, uvijek ostati dio mene.

 

ENGLISH VERSION:

My name is Andrea Sánchez; I’m 24 years old and I come from Spain. I’m from a small village in Extremadura called Talarrubias, but I moved to Madrid to complete my studies in Occupational Therapy and Social Work. These two fields have allowed me to broaden my perspective on very diverse realities, and today I continue training so I can support vulnerable groups in a holistic way: people with disabilities, migrants, LGTBIQA+ people, women, children, older adults, and anyone who needs a safe space where they can feel seen, heard and respected.

When it comes to my interests, I enjoy activities that help me keep exploring who I am: practicing yoga, travelling and discovering new cultures, wandering through museums or exhibitions, reading, listening to music and giving space to creativity in all its forms. I also value spending time in nature because it helps me disconnect from daily routines and recharge. And above all, I appreciate anything related to human connection and coexistence. I like spending time with my friends and family, having honest conversations, laughing together and sharing simple moments. Meeting new people also motivates me, because everyone brings a different perspective and, in one way or another, ends up teaching you something.

After finishing my studies this year, I decided to take a new path that would allow me to grow both personally and professionally. Your twenties can be a strange stage: full of excitement, yes, but also doubts, searching and that feeling of being a bit lost while trying to find your place. That’s why I decided to take a step that had been on my mind for a while: leaving my comfort zone and starting a new adventure.

My connection with Društveni atelje comes from my three-month volunteer experience at DKolektiv, where I collaborate and develop different activities and workshops that are part of the DAtelje program. I participate in the ESC (European Solidarity Corps) program, within the project “Inclusive Community,” which aligns perfectly with the values of this organization and with my understanding of social work and community building.

Planning and carrying out workshops on my own was a challenge that helped me grow a lot. I had to make decisions, organize myself better and find creative solutions, which helped me mature both personally and professionally. I now feel more confident and have developed new skills: communicating more clearly in a language that isn’t my own, managing my time effectively, using digital tools and adapting to new situations. I’ve also realized how essential contact with others is for me. I learned to appreciate the good in each person and to understand that we all come from different realities and paths, and that this diversity is what enriches the whole experience.

Another important part of my volunteering was participating in Spanish to Go, the Spanish classes for Croatian learners. Teaching my language allowed me to connect with people in a different way, adapt materials, be more patient and explain my own culture from a new perspective. I also took part in the English Speaking Club, where, besides improving my English, I learned to communicate more confidently, to listen better and to engage in very diverse conversations.

One of the most meaningful moments of this experience was carrying out Voices Unheard, my own project in several high schools. Designing and facilitating this workshop meant a lot to me because I felt I was applying everything I had learned to create a safe space where young people could express themselves and reflect on topics that are often delicate or controversial in society. The process was incredibly rewarding. Students participated with interest, shared their opinions naturally and showed a sensitivity that impressed me. The feedback I received from them was amazing, and seeing how they connected with the content and how they left with new ideas or a more conscious perspective made me feel that all the effort was worth it. This experience reaffirmed that this is what I want to do: create spaces for dialogue, open necessary conversations and accompany people as they try to understand the world and themselves. It was a project that not only contributed to them, but also to me; I learned, I grew and I confirmed that this professional path truly makes me happy.

I arrived in September with two suitcases, an unfamiliar language, a few fears and a new city to explore. Even so, step by step, through experiences, wonderful people and daily learning, Osijek slowly became home.

Now, as this chapter comes to an end, I realize that I’m returning home with much more than what I brought: memories, people who are now part of my story, the feeling of having grown and the certainty that all the initial fears were worth it. Osijek and DKolektiv have transformed me, and that’s why I’m leaving with a full heart and with the feeling that, in some way, this place will always remain a part of me.