What I achieved in Georgia

             Hi there! It's Hania, the Polish EVS volunteer from Georgian Youth for Europe. I can't believe it's been already six months since I started my voluntary service. It feels like I came here yesterday.... When I reflect on these six months, I have to say that it definitely wasn't a wasted time! I have learnt quite a lot... and I am still learning everyday. So this article will be about my learning outcome here in Georgia.

            First of all, the main reason why I decided to come specifically to this country (yes, it was my conscious, well-thought-out decision to come here) was the curiosity of Caucasus culture and willingness to improve my Russian speaking skills. I must admit that both of these goals are partially reached... I say partially, as I am still in the process of learning. Learning the culture is something that happens imperceptibly, gradually day by day. I am aware that happens inside me, and I try to facilitate this process by deliberately exposing myself on cultural factors. By this, I mean talking with locals, observing what is going on around me, paying attention to details that I normally ignore in the familiar surrounding (you can really notice a lot this way!), as well as reading local news and educate myself about the socio political situation in the region. Furthermore, I noticeably improved my Russian, and I am really happy about that. I try to use every opportunity to speak this language, even though it is not always easy to find Russian speakers in Rustavi. I often go to Tbilisi to language clubs and various events in Russian. Additionally, I learn 10 new words every day, read books and watch movies, and do exercises from a Russian book I brought from Poland. All of that help a lot to progress. Besides, I try to polish my English as well.

            I also got other useful skills here in Georgia. I learnt how to write projects of Youth Mobility (I even wrote one myself!). I discovered Canva, a very useful online tool to make graphics. Since then, I have been doing most of posters, flyers and cover photos needed in GYE. I started leading a new club – International workshop – during which I share my travel experience, but also educate about history, social, political and economical issues in different foreign countries. I find it very important to know what i happening in the world we live in, and now I am more aware about international social issues.

            So to sum up, thanks to my EVS experience I improved not only my language skills, but I also learnt a lot about the local culture, I learnt how to turn my ideas into action and I gained many social and civic competences. That's why I would like to recommend participation in EVS programme (nowadays called ESC) to everyone. You will not regret it!

Tamta and her Romanian Solidarity Corps vibes!

If you look in my closet, you will find lots of twisted clothes. Due to their abundance, the clothes are placed in my, my parents, my brother's rooms, under the wardrobes, in the balconies or in the cellar next to the  strawberry  jam. That's why my father calls me a ,,gypsy’’ . Also, I do  love traveling  and in his imagination, Gypsy’s life looks like: colourful dresses, , lots of unnecessary things , changing  places and  laughing loud. ... Wherever I go my father's comment is the same over and over: ,,Gypsy’’ went to Austria, Gypsy went to Germany, Italy, to the Netherlands etc. . as soon as I  decided to travel to Romania (and not only  travel, but make my ESC project there )  dad had a sarcastic smile on his face ,saying: "gypsy  is going to her own  country ‘’ ...Do you think others  think in the same way as my dad does about Romania or gypsys ? Do u think that for  people Romania is just  glittering dresses ?!  not really. 

In this photo I am wearing traditional  Gypsy cloth, while wearing it  I thought that this  colorful, beautiful, glittery dress  was created for me  and whoever wears it, should  sing, dance, celebrate, and  show up that even with golden teeth you should be equal to others ! For those, who think that in Romania live just gypsies , no guys!  To fill the gap between the Romanians and the Gypsy community, many governmental and non-govermentalorganisations have been created , which  try to integrate them, there is also a   new  term instead of Gypsy – you should say - ,, Roma Community’’.  

Photo credits: CristiGaman

Here's everything you can dream about: beautiful mountains, sea, carved architecture, histories of castles, galleries, churches, ... colors are not symmetrical, not classical, but blended, more vibrant and more emotional ……. People are emotional, kind, supportive, caring ... I don't know whether I'm lucky or everyone is  .......

We have lot of common things, including  religion (Romanians are Orthodox , as well as Georgians), as well as the rhythm of life. People are walking down the street just as slowly, as if they were not late at work or anywhere else. Deadline? –OMG! Come’n !slow dawn! relax! I will start today and continue tomorrow !This kind of harmful attitude towards time may be  felt  while travelling by public transport , especially  by train! Nowhere are they so delayed as on the train to Bucharest. I guess the reason for being late  is eating  Papanashi during every break. You can scroll newspapers at the station and train your Romanian language or if you are lucky enough to meet  handsome but angry guy like you , u can complain with him. It works;)  

Papanashi!

 However, if they really delay the trains because of papanashi, we have to forgive them! And if you haven't tried it, be sure that the fun of having one of the best dessert in your life is still ahead! The cuisine of any country, I think, reflects the character of the nation. For me Papanashi  reflects the Romanian spirit with all accuracy. For a perfect dough, you need both salt and sugar, dough should be airy, though heavy after baking, it should be salty and sweet in a  same time, like the  average Romanian for me : neither too bitter nor  too sweet! 

 Every travel, every story has its hero, and my Romanian travel hero is Albertiko! 

I don't know you ever have met a person who never judges the others, does not say a bad word, does not hurt anyone, always  caring about others and spreads nothing but love and. And can you imagine how lucky I am to have this person as my Roommate and where  from is Albertiko ? Do you think she could be   a refugee, or from a country where women have no word, or from a very poor country ? Do you think these kind of background could be a reason for her sensitivity? Not really, she is from Denmark, the second happiest country in the world and none of the above-mentioned would suit her reality.Whenever, wherever you feel hurted, always remember that there is a relief !  So find out, maybe you have your own private Albertiko near you!  

If you have never explained to the armed border policeman that you are not a  refugee, while standing on the riverbank, all frozen and tearing, consider that you have not had the coolest adventure in Romania! Though I had!  Everything was exactly as you have read !  Me and Nata decided to travel to Serbia, but on our way back we missed the bus, so we found ourselves in a border village at 10AM (already dark ) on a riverbank with a backpack and a half-liter pallinka. We walked a lot on foot   and reached the  fisherman's house!  This time we remembered all the tales about a good fisherman who would invite travelers into his hut, but our story was different. Actually, the house which we reached was not a fisherman’s but a Svinitaborder police!  It took time to explain them that we were not a refugees, (they thought so because we had scarfs all over the faces because of freezing) they said that the only way to stay overnight was a police station  was at night, not in the water or on the boat.  In the picture  below you see  the policeman – TONI PADUREANU , who took us to the police station, talked to the police sheriff, they got us a wonderful host, served us with  sandwiches, tea, fruit. We were treated with the full  respect and the next morning they took us to our city Craiova by car. As long as such policemen are guarding Romania, I think you should not be afraid of going there! Yeah, by the way, it's not dangerous to put your legs out either ... Don’t need to have an eyes on the back as well ;)  

,,Roma girl’’ has to come back to her country!

It is impossible to describe all the things that have happened during  the half year. But I have kept all the people whom  I met during this trip: people  who  created, shared, laughed, danced, learned, taught with me! Multomesk a Romania for all the days  u gifted me! Now is the time for  me to return to her  home country -  Georgia and  get prepared  for new adventures! 

Tamta (Tamtuka) Jinjolava spent 6 month European Solidarity Corps in Craiova, Romania. Her hosting organisation was Asociatia Comunitati Pentru Tineret. 

ACT TOGETHER in Romania

გამარჯობა , Hello , I’m Mariami from Georgia. 

I already finished faculty of Finance and decided to go abroad with ESC program , because i always wanted new challenges . All I knew was, that I really want to do it and “now” is the perfect time to do so. The perfect time to challenge myself in a new country and also to be part of an intercultural team. I went to the Romania, Craiova city. My project was long term - 6 month . From the first day I was super motivated and active about creating my new life, in a new country, with new people.  My first month was not easy, especially when you don’t speak the language of the country, also my English wasn’t good that time, i had speaking complex . But i was trying every day. 

Why Romania? I don’t know but Romania is really beautiful country with amazing cities. I recommend everyone to see. Being a volunteer gives you the chance to be part of a world without limits and stereotypes, a world of friendship and adventures where you can just grow and learn a lot, every day. For me volunteering can offer fantastic opportunities to spend time abroad, learn new skills and develop yourself and improving language skills, participate in different activities that happened in my life. From this experience, I take out endless new life lessons. A wonderful opportunity to travel and discover a new culture, challenge myself by working in English, learning to take initiative and be independent… For me EVS is a personal project, which is very important for understanding my value. During the volunteering work, you understand more what you love to do, and what you definitely do NOT want.

I really like to say that – “Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving”. Move always, as much you can, as far you can go, trust in yourself and believe in your dreams. Take a risk, take all the good opportunity that comes to you and never regret. Meet new people, make new friends, think global and never limit yourself.

https://www.facebook.com/acttogethercraiova/

https://www.facebook.com/actongcraiova/

Erti tve Sakartvelshi

Last Saturday was my first month Georgianniversary, and I have already a lot of stories and feelings to share.

About Georgia, what striked me first is that Georgian people are soooooo generous and welcoming. I don't mean than French and European people are not nice, but here people give you time and attention so easily, and they don't expect nothing back. This is just Georgian style, sharing moments together and be kind to each other.

Also, food is good here. I am vegetarian but it's not a problem for me here because there are lots of veggies. I obviously tasted mushrooms Khinkali and Khachapuri, also eggplants meals... and wine is also delicious. 

I went to Bakuriani and Borjomi for on-arrival training. On-arrival training was a very cool experience, I've met lots of new European friends. Now I can't wait to visit more, I want to go everywhere in Georgia. I live in Rustavi and I like this life, it's a charming city and we have everything we need here. Plus, I fell in love with Tbilisi. I love big cities, but Tbilisi is soooo charming and there are lots of  places to go. It's rare to see a capital city which has a sea, mountains, old town, modern buildings and old monuments at the same time. And this sight, this night life, I really love it. I wish this country was more known in Europe, but I'm very happy that I came here without any stereotypes or expectation, and now I can learn about Georgia by myself and have my own opinion.

I started Georgian lessons, and I'm really interested in this language and alphabet which I think is beautiful. Here, it feels like anything can happen, time is not so important so I feel free to live intensely day by day. I guess it's not about what happens, but about how you receive what is happening. I've been waiting this travel for soooo long, and now I can enjoy every meeting, every Georgian places, food, or moment. About volunteer life, we have a very cool rhythm, and a lot of freedom so we can propose anything that we want to organize (events, activities with kids, visits...).This is a very great feeling to live with new people and to share moments together, talking about our culture, sharing movies or Georgian food, visiting...  Special mention to my coordinator who makes me feel so comfortable. I started theatre clubs in GYE and this is a very good moment in the week for me.

I cant wait to live the rest of my experience here!

Maïlys

Time goes fast and days are intense in Georgia

It has been two months since I started my ESC adventure in Georgia. Time goes so fast! I tried to spend it actively and days are intense.

So, during these 2 months I traveled a lot! So far, Samtskhe-javakheti is my favourite region. The visit in Vardzia and Achalciche was really impressive, I loved Rabati castle and the city in caves. Apart from that, I have been to other parts of the country: Svaneti (Mestia and Ushguli), Racha, Gori and Uplistsikhe, Sighnaghi, Telavi and Kvareli, Borjomi nad Bakuriani, as well as Dashbashi and Birtvisi canions. Every weekend, I try to move somewhere out of Rustavi and explore Georgia... and there are still so many places which I would like to see! The more I travel, the more interesting destinations I discover. My favourite way of moving around is... hitchhiking! It works so well here in Georgia. It never takes more than 5 minutes until a car stops. People often give me a lift even if my destination is not exactly on their way. I find Georgians really hospitable and helpful! Once it even happened to me that I was invited for a Supra :D So much fun, and so much good food and wine! That's what I love hitchhiking for: you never know which kind of interesting people you are going to meet. That's the best way to meet locals!

So this is how I spend my weekends, now a bit more about what I do from Monday to Friday. I spend most of the time in GYE office and there is always something going on here. Five times per week I give language classes: basic and advanced Spanish, as well as basic French. There are still many places left in the groups, so if you happen to be willing to learn these languages or if you know someone who wants to learn them, just come and join us! It is not like a boring school class, we have fun, play games and learn in an entertaining way.

Once a week, I lead Psychology Workshop. I am really happy to run this club! Last year, I graduated from psychological studies but I have to admit that in Poland this university degree is pretty theoretical. We read many books and articles, have lot of discussions... but there is not much space for practice. That's why here, in GYE, it is the first time when I actually have the opportunity to run a real workshop and apply my knowledge in practice. That's useful! Every week I choose a different topic: so far we talked about unconsciousness, social influence mechanisms, the psychological explanation for evil, as well as about human brain, its possibilities and limitations. I am happy to have active participants and interesting discussions with them. Not only I teach them something every week, but they also share their knowledge with me and have already taught me a lot! People seem to be very interested in psychology.

To sum up, time goes really fast here Georgia! There are so many things to do, so many beautiful places to discover and so many interesting people to meet. I hope I will not slow down my daily rhythm until the end of my stay here!

Hanna