Last spring, I realised something I had been avoiding for a while: my studies were coming to an end and I needed to find an internship. The thought made me anxious. I knew I wanted to work somewhere that reflected my interests and values, preferably in the NGO sector. What worried me most, though, was my lack of confidence. I wasn’t sure what my strengths were or how to put the knowledge I had gained during my studies into practice. Then I came across Moja Mavrica. I was immediately excited. It almost seemed too good to be true. Even so, it took me a while to find the courage to apply. Looking back now, applying was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I feel like I’m not the same Jeremias who entered through the library doors in the beginning of August. Back then, I wondered how I would manage everything, from facilitating workshops to organising street actions. Now, having done those things, I just want to keep doing them. My comfort zone has expanded further than I ever imagined.

Two main parts of my internship were facilitating youth exchange about active citizenship with other interns and executing my own project about the anti-gender movement. Through these experiences, I began to see how I could bring my sociological knowledge into activities that people could engage with.  One experience in particular feels like coming full circle: going from facilitating a workshop about activism, while feeling that I had very little experience of it myself, to giving a speech at a protest against the crackdown on LGBTQ+ people in Türkiye. I had quite a fixed idea of myself as someone who rarely goes to protests, let alone gives speeches. Yet there I was, holding a microphone in front of the Turkish embassy.

Of course, there were ups and downs. It wasn’t sunshine and rainbows all the time, and some moments were challenging. But those moments were an important part of the experience too. I gradually became more comfortable with uncertainty, with meeting new people and with finding my place in unfamiliar situations. During the first weeks, entering an activity without feeling fully prepared felt stressful. Over time, I learned to trust that I can figure things out along the way. I don’t need to be prepared for everything.

Getting to know the other interns from across Europe was a huge part of this experience. It was a pleasure working with you all, and now I wish we had had more time together. A special thank you to Marie-Sophie, who was here with me almost from the beginning. It feels very strange to think that I won’t be seeing you every day anymore. I really admire your work ethic and the way you support everyone, even when things don’t go as planned.  And to Serena, Ane and Anabelle: I will miss your heated arguments that turn out not to be arguments at all. And Michelle, thank you for being a supportive mentor from day one.

I arrived here as a somewhat reserved Finnish person, and now I would be ready to organise a street action in the middle of Helsinki. If you know anything about Finnish culture and how we interact with each other, you’ll understand that this is quite a development. I’m leaving Ljubljana with much more confidence in myself and in what I can contribute. I don’t know exactly what comes next, but I feel ready to take it on. So much of that comes from the supportive community at Moja Mavrica: a place that challenged me while making me feel safe enough to try, make mistakes and discover what I’m capable of. Thank you, Moja Mavrica, for giving me this opportunity. This experience is something I will never forget.