The experience of the PhD candidate in Sociology and Political Science, Handiara, in Germany happened through the International Volunteering Program
Photo: personal archive
The Marist Educational Volunteering Program from PUCRS, promoted by the Pastoral and Solidarity Center, is an initiative that seeks to foster the formation of citizens who are committed to the care and promotion of life. The program allows students, faculty and staff to volunteer with the community in various fields. The Program recently made it possible for PhD candidate from the PUCRS Graduate Program in Sociology and Political Science, Handiara dos Santos, went on her first experience as an interprovincial volunteer, in Mindelheim, in Southern Germany.
After three months of an immersion in Europe, the student share some of her experiences as the first international volunteer. Since her arrival, her journey has been a mix of learning opportunities, challenges and interesting experiences at Maristen JugendHaus, a Marist youth house in Germany.
“Starting a new journey with the support of understand and joyful people turns every challenge into laughter. Because of this, I often say that being in this city, this neighborhood, experience life in a Marist community, surrounded by welcoming and friendly people, without a doubt makes a huge difference. One of my duties as volunteer is to participate in the Kidsprogram, which offers, at every two weeks, activities with refugee children from different nationalities,” adds Handiara.
Her activities in Mindelheim are many: welcoming the students, helping with organizing, participating in activities, supporting whenever necessary in events and in promoting the space’s schedules. The JugendHaus youth house is an open space that welcomes young people from the city’s Marist school, a welcoming environment, where they can spend some time between classes or before they return home.
“Every day I learn something new, be it in terms of language, culture, or in the way of carrying out activities. Always seeing new places and people, increasing my participation in different tasks. Every day here is like a new day in a class about life. I learn, but I also share knowledge, and that is infinitely rich. The exchange is what makes everything worthwhile,” says the PhD candidate.
