My time in Greece began with a wonderful one-night stay in Athens. Fortunately, I met a fellow American traveler on the metro and we spontaneously explored the city together which was a great surprise! The next morning I flew to the island of Chios, which is located right across the western coast of Turkey. I will be staying here till early July and working with Offene Arme, an NGO supporting local refugees and asylum seekers on the island. After settling in the first night, I had my first day of work the next morning. Offene Arme is the only remaining NGO on Chios island that continuously provides Non-Food Items (NFIs) to asylum seekers and refugees through a Free Shop where customers can choose their own clothes and hygiene items. The organization also runs a pop-up shop near the Vial Camp on the island and provides landing packs for when refugees and asylum seekers arrive. During my first few days, I met the amazing team of volunteers and coordinators who welcomed me with open arms. With their guidance, I received training and briefings on the work we do at Offene Arme. I have also already learned so much about Chios island which has many charms and hidden gems. The O.A. volunteers come from all around the world and arrive at different times, with most people staying for at least 4 weeks. Over the course of my 6 weeks with the team, I am looking forward to supporting the local refugee population through distributing, stocking, and assorting items for the free and local shops and providing a safe, kind, and welcoming space. As I navigate a new environment and way of life here in the North Aegean, I aim to strengthen my social and cultural intelligence and awareness skills, as well as my resilience, curiosity, and communication skills. I will rely on my knowledge of community engagement principles and inner-drive in order to be a strong team member and collaborator during my LiA experience.