Dear Argonautas,

We're slowly approaching the end of this wonderful experience, which means it's time for my penultimate monthly blog. So, welcome to the July edition!

Like every summer month, July was full of activities – and, this time, plenty of holidays!

The month started with a friend coming to visit me for a week. We had a great time: we relaxed on the beach, enjoyed the sunny weather, and, of course, watched the Men's World Cup. I wish I had more exciting stories to tell, but honestly, it was one of those weeks where you don't do anything out of the ordinary—you just enjoy each other's company. And sometimes, those are the best moments. Maybe not the most exciting for my dear readers, but definitely some of my favorite memories from that month.

The following week was dedicated to the second part of my personal project: the exhibition of the children's paintings. I have to admit, I was quite nervous beforehand. I kept wondering if it would look good enough or if anyone would actually stop to see it. Thankfully, all my worries disappeared very quickly. Watching the children proudly show their artwork to their families was incredibly rewarding, and hearing so many kind comments from visitors made me feel both happy and proud. It was one of those moments that reminded me why I wanted to create this project in the first place.

So, here is a little piece of advice for the next volunteers: when you start thinking about your personal project, choose something that truly resonates with you—something you've always wanted to try but perhaps never would have dared to do back home. This year is your opportunity to challenge yourself, be creative, and make something that reflects who you are. Trust me, the feeling of accomplishment at the end is absolutely worth it.

To finish the month, I spent the last two weeks on holiday with one of my best friends, Maud. Wow… what an adventure! We spent a few days exploring Dubrovnik, then came back to Murter to relax (and save a bit of money!), before heading to Split for our final few days together. It was the perfect mix of sightseeing, lazy beach days, good food, party, and lots of laughter. Exactly what I needed

Overall, July was a month of achievements, unforgettable moments with friends, and making memories I'll carry with me long after this volunteering experience ends. I couldn't have asked for a better summer, and I'm already looking forward to what my final month in Croatia has in store.

Thanks for reading, and see you next month on my final blog post! 🙂