My name is Leonie and I am from Germany. I have a background in social pedagogy and completed my Master’s degree focusing on working with children and young people in educational settings. Through my experience in kindergartens and schools, I discovered how powerful creative work can be for children’s development. My main interests lie in combining education, creativity, and personal growth. Working with clay became a special passion of mine, as it allows children to express themselves in an intuitive and hands-on way, supporting confidence, focus and emotional expression.
This passion led me to develop my business idea which combines ceramics with an inclusive, child-centered educational approach. When I discovered the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program, I immediately felt it was the perfect opportunity to deepen my practical ceramic skills and gain real insight into building a business. I wanted to learn through experience, gain an international perspective, and grow both professionally and personally.
My first weeks in Porto have been incredibly positive. I received a very warm welcome and had a good feeling from the very first day. Since then, I have been learning a lot every day – not only about ceramics, but also about how a creative business operates in practice. Being part of a real studio environment gives me insights that go far beyond theory.
I am gaining experience in many different areas: improving my technical skills with clay, understanding materials and processes, and at the same time learning about organization, workflows, and the entrepreneurial side of running a studio. This combination feels especially valuable for my future.
On a personal level, I feel very happy and settled. Porto is a beautiful and inspiring city, and I felt at home here very quickly. I have also started learning the language and have already met many open and welcoming people.
I am convinced that this experience will strongly contribute to both my personal and professional growth. It helps me build confidence, independence, and clarity about my future path. I am very grateful and excited for what is still to come.