October at TOLA: Getting the Hang of Things

October was the month I really settled into TOLA and started to feel more at home. I began to understand how things work at the centre, got to know the people on a more personal level, and felt confident taking more initiative during the daily activities.

With my schedule finally sorted, my days became a lot more structured. Apart from the usual activities and OCIO (our free-time outings like bowling or grabbing a drink), most of the month was all about Autumn. We did arts and crafts with leaves, talked about the change of seasons, and of course prepared for Halloween. The Halloween party was definitely a highlight for the usuarios — there was music, food, drinks, games, and everyone showed up in costume.

Another special moment this month was a visit from two men who introduced a group of usuarios to bird therapy. They brought three birds that everyone could gently touch and feed. The activity was calming, fun, and gave people something totally new to discover. It also encouraged focus, gentle interaction, and a bit of curiosity. I was just in awe of these animals.

Outside of TOLA, I’ve also been meeting more people through language exchanges. A few times a week you can find me somewhere in Valencia, exploring new neighbourhoods and parks, or just spending time with friends.