A Painful Goodbye at the Airport
At Madeira Airport, scenes of long hugs and tearful farewells filled the departure hall on Sunday, as reported by RTP Madeira. Dozens of young Madeirans were returning to the Portuguese mainland, ready to begin or continue their studies as the new academic year starts. For many, the moment is bittersweet: leaving family behind on the island while pursuing opportunities elsewhere.
Leonor Nunes, who is beginning her second year at university in Lisbon, admitted:
Saying goodbye is always a little sad, but it has to be done. It is a new journey, a new adventure.
She added that the feeling never disappears:
No matter how many years pass, it always hurts. Quite a lot.
Dreams Beyond the Island
Each year, hundreds of students make the same journey, looking for academic and professional opportunities not always available on the island. One student, preparing for a military course on the mainland, reflected:
It is a new farewell, but it is part of life. We have to move forward, sometimes take one step back to take two forward.
Another explained how leaving is always difficult:
This is my home and I like living here. But it is for a better future. Returning is definitely part of the plan.
The balance between ambition and attachment to the island is a constant theme among departing students.
The Heavy Weight of Housing Costs
The challenge of finding affordable housing adds another layer of difficulty. Students often face high rents when they arrive on the mainland. One young man did not hide his frustration:
It is an abuse. The only chance is to find something without a contract, under the table. Otherwise, the houses are extremely expensive. The cheapest you find is 500 euros. I am not rich enough for that.
For many families, the financial strain of housing is as heavy as the emotional strain of separation.
Families Left Behind
Parents at the airport shared the same sadness. One mother, watching her child depart, said:
The young people from the island leave very, very early. The house becomes empty. It is a feeling of loneliness. It hurts a lot, but we always think of what is best for them.
Another parent explained the mix of hope and inevitability:
Now he goes to study and comes back. But in the future, the most normal thing is that they will go their own way.
On this September afternoon, the airport was crowded, full of embraces, tears, and luggage rolling across the hallways. For Madeira’s young generation, the start of the academic year is more than a calendar date.
Source: RTP Madeira
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