Coming from Mozambique, a country that is often underrepresented on the international
scale, I grew up immersed in diverse communities from being in international schools. This
background helped shape my ability to adapt to new environments, yet it did not make the
transition to moving and studying in Cyprus any easier. Being surrounded by a variety of
cultures from a young age helped me develop curiosity and openness, yet adjusting to a
completely new country came with its own difficulties. Simultaneously, I gained more
awareness of the importance of connection, belonging, and having a supportive community.
As someone who dreams of working with children, my placement at Hope for Children gave
me the chance to connect what we learn in the classroom with practice in a meaningful way.
I initially believed that supporting children mainly involved providing guidance and structure,
however I quickly learned that empathy, patience, and consistency are equally essential.
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned since being in Cyprus was learning to be
present and adaptable rather than relying on a rigid approach. Working with the children
showed me that progress isn’t always instant or visible, as well as patience plays a key role
in building any form of connection.
My experience taught me to reframe my perspective which allowed me to respond with
greater empathy and emotional awareness. Rather than trying to “fix” behaviours, I learned
to focus on understanding the emotions behind them and responding in a calm and
supportive manner. Instead of viewing troubling behaviour as misbehaviour, I started seeing
them as forms of communication shaped by past experiences.
The significance of guidance and support in personal and professional development was
highlighted. The value of having supportive figures to turn to was reinforced through
conversations with supervisors and working with my classmates, specifically when adjusting
to new and at times unfamiliar conditions. This pushed me to reflect on my actions,
challenge my beliefs, and slowly build confidence in my abilities. Particularly for international
students, having someone you can turn to and a sense of community can not only make the
change easier but more significant. Finding the right people and initiatives like mentoring
programs are an important part in such a transition. Even the smallest acts of support and
understanding can make a big difference in someone’s day and even their lives.