What were the major challenges you faced during this period, and how did you overcome them?

Facing difficult social realities was sometimes a shock. The first memorable moment was meeting abandoned children, some of whom, being orphans, stayed at the orphanage for extended periods. However, what was most challenging was confronting the many street children who spent most of their time begging.

A particularly heartbreaking moment was when I saw a very young child, who barely seemed able to walk, begging in the street. This event gave my stay a new perspective. I then started researching the stories of these children, many of whom are victims of abuse. During my second stay, at the end of my gap year, I joined the association "Pour une Enfance," which welcomes these children every morning to provide them with essential needs such as meals, care, and a place to rest.

These experiences were emotionally challenging, but I was able to overcome these difficult moments by talking with the locals and finding support from my Senegalese friends. Understanding the cultural and socio-economic contexts greatly helped my adaptation and allowed me to better handle these situations.

How has your gap year contributed to your personal and professional development?

My gap year truly transformed my perspective on the world and myself. On a personal level, living in Senegal, fully immersed in a culture completely different from my own, taught me how to step out of my comfort zone and adapt to new realities. Sharing the daily life of a Senegalese family, and discovering their traditions and religion, allowed me to form deep and genuine connections while developing a broad-minded attitude and the ability to understand lifestyles very different from my own. This experience made me more empathetic, patient, and attentive to others.

Professionally, my commitment to the Pouponnière and the organization Pour une Enfance strengthened my organisational and interpersonal skills. Managing the supervision of volunteers and participating in the smooth operation of the organizations allowed me to develop leadership qualities as well as a great capacity for adaptability in the face of unexpected situations.

Working with children, especially in such challenging contexts, taught me resilience and emotional management—skills that will serve me in all aspects of my future life.

Between my two stays in Senegal, I also had the opportunity to improve my English by studying in Dublin and Malta. This enhanced language proficiency boosted my confidence in my abilities and opened up new perspectives for me.

This year has undeniably changed my life, not only by providing me with practical skills but also by helping me grow as a person.

I have gained maturity, independence, and the ability to manage complex situations, qualities that will stay with me for the rest of my life.