Where It All Began
To this day, this country remains one of my favorite places—and probably always will—for so many reasons. When most people think of Europe, their minds go straight to France, Italy, Germany, or Greece. But in 2019, Portugal was the country I chose for my first destination that summer. And if it had been up to me, I would’ve stayed there for the rest of the trip. There was something about it that immediately clicked, like I had somehow landed in a place I was always meant to find.
From Iowa Pools to the Atlantic Coast
In high school, I had the amazing opportunity to get scuba certified through a week-long program at our local university. I remember spending hours in the pool, learning to breathe underwater, and getting more excited with every session. But even then, I knew I didn’t want that to be the end of my diving story—I wanted to take that certification somewhere that felt entirely different from Iowa. Somewhere where the ocean stretched endlessly, where the culture was new, and where I could make memories that stuck with me forever.
Finding the Right Program
So I started researching volunteer programs that included diving, and that’s when I stumbled across IVHQ in Portugal. It was like the opportunity had found me. I sent the link to my friend—the same one who had taken the scuba course with me—and asked if she’d be interested. She said yes right away. From there, we went all in. We fundraised through T-shirt sales, collected donations, and poured our energy into making this dream real.
The program itself lasted two weeks, but when it came time to leave, we both cried at the airport. I’ve wished so many times that I could go back and relive those exact days—every single one of them.
Learning, Growing, Living
I remember fully immersing myself in the culture—meeting new people left and right, being present, and soaking in everything this new window to the world had opened for me. I loved trying to learn a new language, communicating with people from all over, figuring out hostel life, trying new foods, and learning how to manage money abroad for the first time in a different currency.
We had to figure out public transportation, communicate with limited Portuguese, and live alongside volunteers from all over the globe. It was challenging at times, but in the best way. A lot of people don’t realize how much work actually goes into traveling—and how hard it is to keep track of the little things, especially when everything around you is unfamiliar. But I loved every single second of it.
Going Back, and Feeling Everything Again
That trip made such a lasting impact on me that I went back two years ago to dive with the same company and stay in the same town. Walking through those same streets, seeing the ocean glimmer the same way it had in 2019—it gave me chills. Every time I go back, I get goosebumps. And that’s how you know something means a lot to you.
Cascais, Portugal, will always be that place for me—the place that reminds me who I really am. A place that shows me how far I’ve come. And a place that reminds me to never stop doing what I love: seeing the world, challenging myself to grow, and loving every second of it.
Why I’m Sharing This Now
Traveling doesn’t just teach you about new places—it teaches you who you are when you step outside your comfort zone. For me, that journey started in Portugal, and it’s been shaping me ever since.
This story is just one piece of a bigger picture. One that’s still unfolding. Whether you’re planning your first trip or chasing something that feels just out of reach, I hope this reminds you: you’re allowed to go for it. To dream big. To dive in—literally or not. The world is waiting.