Hélder’s story

How languages changed my life:

My name is Hélder and I can firmly say that languages changed my life!

I am from Portugal and I live in Sunderland. I am fluent in both English and Portuguese and I can hold a basic conversation in Spanish, Italian and French.

To know languages, even on a very basic level, opened up a pool of opportunities that I never dreamt of.

People, places, opportunities

I had the opportunity of travelling across Europe and made friends in some amazing places. I’ve participated in the Comenius Project and with them I had wine in France, pasta in Italy and took the cliché picture with the Little Mermaid in Denmark. I’ve met people, made friends, created memories.

My life in the North East

I did my degree in the UK at Sunderland University, joined my Students’ Union and even got elected President.

I have travelled across the Baltics and built some of the most amazing friendships ever. I’ve presented conferences to over 2000 guests, been interviewed on several radio and TV channels, both in the UK and overseas.

I live in the North East and have had the opportunity of supporting communities here, through my voluntary positions as a Non-Executive Director at International Newcastle representing young people, as a Youth Board Member at the Common Room of the Great North. Most recently, I have started working as a Trust Executive at the Prince’s Trust which focuses on supporting young people in the region to access support and opportunities for their future.

Languages presented me the world as a pool of opportunities and adventures and I am now ready to give languages to the world. 

Hélder Costa

• Youth Board Member, Common Room of the Great North
• Director (non-Executive) International Newcastle
• Works at Durham University