"It is not that deep"

At the very beginning of this experience, I thought that accepting other people’s differences, ideas, and habits was something that could be taken for granted. However, throughout this journey, the group dynamics changed a lot, and we all discovered that there is much more to each of us than what can be seen on the surface.

Day by day, our connections became deeper and deeper, and one thing that really stood out to me was how impressive it is to discover how many hidden stories, feelings, and experiences there are behind every person. Maybe there is still a lot that we do not know about one another, and perhaps it takes time and patience to truly get to know someone in a

meaningful way.

On one hand, this means that we were able to create deep and genuine connections, and some of them I am now proud to call friendships. On the other hand, I discovered how important it is not to judge someone based on appearances and to understand that everyone has a different sensitivity towards the things that happen in life. We all react differently to challenges, emotions, and situations, and there is always a reason behind the way people behave.

Being an empathetic person means that sometimes you can feel bad even for having certain thoughts or assumptions. Then, when you discover that behind a specific behaviour there is so much more than what you initially imagined, you realise how important understanding and communication really are. This experience helped me reflect on this aspect of myself and taught me the importance of speaking up when needed, whether it is to defend our position, express our feelings, or simply share something that is on our minds.

I feel truly grateful for this experience because it gave me the opportunity to meet so many people from different backgrounds, cultures, and personal stories. Every single person taught me something valuable and helped me look at things from a new perspective. I also learned that problems that seem very big and overwhelming can become much less frightening when we talk about them openly with others.

As someone in this house would often say, “it’s not that deep” and somehow this sentence perfectly represents one of the lessons I found in this experience. In reality, what matters most is not the problem itself but the people with whom you share it. We were lucky enough to share this journey with a beautiful group of people who supported one another through both difficult and happy moments.

Together, we faced challenges, misunderstandings, and problems, but we also shared countless laughs, unforgettable memories, and beautiful moments that I will always carry with me. I believe that there is now a small part of each person in me, and I sincerely hope that I have left a little piece of myself in everyone as well.

There is probably still a lot that we do not know about each other, and maybe there are things we will never know. However, the point is not to know everything about someone. The point is to share what we feel comfortable sharing, to listen without judgment, and to appreciate the connections we build along the way. That is the true meaning I found in this experience, and it is something I will carry with me long after it ends.

Alice Urso, Associação Intercultural Para Todos