My validation Experience, by Diogo Rodrigues from Portugal

[diogo.r...@aiesec.net]

My name is Diogo, I’m 20 years old and I’m from Ponte de Lima, which is the oldest village of Portugal.

When I think about my strengths, I’m a very positive person, which make me always look forward and do not stress too much on the problems, but focusing on the solutions instead; I’m also a very enthusiastic and very energic person: I’m always with my energy levels on the top, and I think that this leads me to always push everyone up around me, passing them the energy I always have, no matter the hour or the day. I can say that I’m also very determinate, and with this I mean that I never give up about the things I believe, about the things I propose myself to; I always have the eagerness to go the extra mile every day and achieve my goals. About my weaknesses I can say that I am a stubborn person, because I tend to never leave my ideas behind, unless I understand it makes sense that way; another weakness is the stress that I sometimes feel, and I mean that it gets me sometimes. These strengths and weaknesses make me understand the self-awareness that I have developed, and that I can capitalize each one in my favour and make them all become strengths.

My career plan is not 100% defined right now, because I’ll be finishing my bachelor’s in International Relations this semester and start the Master in HR Management, but what’s next? I do not know for sure, but one thing I know, I want to do something that I really like, that really fulfils me.

My volunteering experience was in Italy with AIESEC, which I’m also part, being right now the Local Committee Vice President Outgoing Global Volunteer. My project was aligned with sustainable development goal nr 10(Reduced Inequalities) of the United Nations. The project was with disabled people from all ages, people that are in Sacra Famiglia institution. Basically, my main goal was to be there for them, make them feel that they are not only existing, but that they are important, and they are alive. It was a really hard experience because it was a big shock, but the bigger learning I had was understanding that we usually make a big mess for a tiny problem, and we really need to stop do it, and enjoy every moment we have. Also being much solution oriented, because I had to get a way for me to approach them, and get them to trust me, which was really hard to, but really rewarding and fulfilling once I’ve done it.

The eVaVol project has been an opportunity to portray all these learnings and skills I've acquired while doing my volunteer experience, that I've always thought would matter just for my personal development but actually are just another way of acquiring knowledge. I think that with eVaVol I’ll be able to recognize the skills and knowledge I’ve gained during my projects, and actually get the university to understand it, and give some credits to the people that also volunteer.