I was a second-year psychology undergraduate in 2017 when I first had the opportunity to join Murmo’s work as a volunteer for the Pro Juventa Foundation. I plunged right into an experiential therapy summer camp, which turned out to be a defining experience, as it was my very first encounter with what I had been studying until then and what I wanted to pursue in the future. Being present as an assistant in the camp and thinking about the children from a professional perspective was deeply impactful.

Since then, I have been able to participate as a volunteer in various other programs, but summer camps have remained my absolute favorite. That was where I felt I could truly be an intensive part of the group; I met children, and we built shared experiences. I was able to witness how much the kids, who were still anxious at the beginning of the week, could work on themselves and their emotions by the weekend. It was an exciting experience to be a part of the journey of every single child I met and worked with at Murmo. Each summer camp gave me a renewed boost for the upcoming academic year, fueling my dream to one day be the one guiding children’s development.

But alongside the children, there are the group leaders and the psychologists leading the parents’ clubs, who are just as vibrant and diverse as the kids themselves. Thanks to their diverse backgrounds, I gained insight into various modalities (art therapy, relaxation, fairytale therapy, psychodrama, music therapy, and the RGM method) and could observe their professional approach in different situations.

Even during my university years, I considered it vital to gain hands-on experience, believing it would make me a better professional capable of providing the right support to the children, parents, and educators who turn to me. Now, as an entrant psychologist, I feel it helps immensely that I was able to observe so many different practices and handling of situations from colleagues during my various volunteer roles. Currently, I am assisting psychologists in an adolescent group, where we are facing exciting challenges brought about by the pandemic.