ESC story from Estonia- Mariam Nebieridze

Tere! I am Mariam, 22 years old from Georgia, an ESC volunteer in Tallinn, Estonia, and I would like to share my story. Before I started my volunteer project, I got a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and recently applied to a Master’s program in Gender Studies. During my studies in Georgia, I was involved in various non-formal educational activities and volunteering programs, and I decided that it was high time to challenge myself, and use my skills usefully. That’s why I decided to become an ESC volunteer, and in May, I received the exciting news that I had been selected as a volunteer in Estonia for 11 months.

Now, I am a volunteer at Kesklinna Noortekeskus, this is the youth center that offers lots of opportunities to youngsters and promotes non-formal educational activities. It’s already been more than 3 months since I arrived in Estonia, and I can confidently say that every working day is exciting for me. My coworkers, youngsters, and environment, on the whole, are amazing, and I’m sure that this is the place where I can get not only a life-long experience but also learn various aspects of youth work and evolve my skills.

Most of my volunteer work includes getting involved in the center’s daily activities as well as contributing my own ideas. For instance, I’m organizing cultural evenings. So far I've held Georgian and Greek cultural events, and it was a great pleasure to introduce my country, its history, culture, and cuisine. Furthermore, every week we implement various events thanks to the Youth English Club, funded by the local youngsters; on their own initiative, I had the opportunity to hold a workshop about ESC and volunteering in general. Additionally, we carry out some outdoor activities, even during the period of working remotely, turned out to very interesting for me.

Additionally, I’d like to emphasize another immense benefit of volunteering that is expanding my social circle. Heretofore, I’ve met a number of like-minded volunteers, youth workers, or youngsters that not only broadened my network but also increased my social and relationship skills. Thus, I believe that by the end of my volunteer work, I’ll be full of new ideas and will continue doing youth work in my country.

Finally, I’d like to mention that ESC projects are great opportunities for young people to broaden literary horizons and contribute to becoming a better version of themselves. The opportunity to make at least a small contribution where needed, meet people from different parts of the world, adapt to a new place, discover and live in a winter wonderland - Estonia is what I’ve always wanted to have, and I’m grateful to everyone who has given me this chance.

Nino Karanashvili ESC story from Poland

It is already third months of my voluntary work in Poland, Kwidzyn. Volunteering in the integrated kindergarten has become very familiar to me. Being involved in the work in the kindergarten is pleasant as well as stressful time after time. As much as educational studies is my profession and I love children, I take pleasure with working in the kindergarten.

In December, I made a presentation with 6 years old children about Georgian culture. They made Georgian flags and they got familiar with Georgian New Year traditions. Together with the other volunteers I had a wonderful chance to visit Wroclaw and Krakow during the Christmas holidays. These two wonderful cities amaze their visitors with their
architecture, lifestyle, museums, churches and different sightseeing. I had a pleasure to meet the New Year in Krakow and it was an amazing experience.

AKWEDUKT, my coordinating organization in Kwidzyn is absolutely supporting me to be more effective and involved in my work in the kindergarten, also they encourage every volunteer to participate in culture weeks, youth clubs, trainings and etc.

I have different ideas and plans to realize during next months. So, I hope with the hard work and cooperation, everything will be perfect.

¼ of my ESC in Georgia Completed

Gamarjoba! I’m Sabina, ESC volunteer from the Czech Republic. I’ve just completed the third month of my one-year volunteering project in Rustavi. It feels impossible to squeeze all my impressions, culture shocks and experiences in one short article so I’ll at least focus on some of the highlights I’d love to share with you.

Before applying to the project, I knew nothing about Georgia. My decision to come here was quite spontaneous. I felt it was going to be an adventure, something completely new I hadn’t had a chance to experience before. And it’s really been like that ever since I arrived here!

I just roughly knew Georgia was a developing country but that was about it. I mistakenly assumed there was nothing much left to surprise me after what I’ve lived outside my home country for five years (UK, Belgium, Spain and Poland). But it’s right Georgia that has taught me greater humbleness and that made me to re-consider my life values as well as perspectives on several different matters. For instance, I now focus my attention on little joys that can make me happy every day; I’ve become more creative when cooking from local ingredients; I’ve become more capable of using my DIY skills when fixing or mending the household with the equipment available.

I won’t lie. The first three months have been really tough for me and I wanted to leave Georgia on several different occasions. I suffered from health problems when getting used to local water, food and hygiene. I was doing my best to find my own space in the local community lifestyle and I’ve learnt a lot about myself: I’m a more introverted person than I had thought I was; I prefer being on my own; I don’t need to be everywhere – I appreciate the beauty of slow traveling instead; I don’t need to be away every weekend and rush to see everything; I can just slow down and observe the world around me without chasing it.

Although my first impressions of Georgia are that it’s a country of many contrasts, I’m deeply taken by Georgian level of hospitality. In comparison to Georgians, I’m a stingy and greedy person, haha. Nevertheless, I guess it’s pointless comparing different cultures. They’re all unique in their own way.

However, what nobody prepared me for was the culture shock from local people straightforwardness. Just like that, I’d be asked questions how old I am, if I have a boyfriend, if I’m married, if I have at least one child in my age etc. And because I’ve been already chased up by both men and women, I made up a fictional story of responding to these questions always ‘yes’, meaning that I have a Georgian husband and one child. Even though I found it immoral to lie at the beginning, I noticed how much easier my life has become after applying this ‘sophisticated’ strategy just because a married status is more respected than being a single European woman travelling on her own.

Regarding my daily tasks, I have a great freedom to do everything I really enjoy. Hence, it doesn’t feel like working at all. Although I was the only volunteer in the organisation for some time, I’ve been recently joined by another volunteer with whom we’re developing further activities, events and clubs together. I look forward to the upcoming months and the lessons I’ll gain from them. J

Let’s see how my perspective changes next time when I’ll be already half way through my one-year project. Stay tuned!

ESC Story from Poland

HELLO EVERYONE! My name is Khatia, 20 years old, student of Tbilisi State University, from Gori, Georgia. I’m going to share a little experience about project, which gave me chance to travel study and do something good for others. In the middle of the summer, I found a perfect project, which means: to study for free, to travel for free, meet new people from all over the world and help others who need my help. So I decided to take part in ESC’s project- 10 months in Poland, volunteering in kindergarten in Krakow.

My project starts in September. Volunteers from all over the world are divided in different kind of schools (special school, autism center) and kindergartens in Krakow.  I’m volunteering in kindergarten, with kids. I have kids of all ages (2-6). To be honest, it was hard in the beginning, but because of good teachers everything changed. They helped me to communicate with kids, because I don’t know Polish. But, after Polish classes, I learned some phrases and it is kind of pleasure to work with people, who have just a love.

Being in this project is the best challenge in my life. Every day is full of new relationships, new feelings and new possibility to do something productive for everyone. During this three month I met a lot of people, who want world to be better place for everyone and I am a part of this group.

 

And of course this is not just work. You can have a lot of fun and enjoyment within the project. On 5^th of December was International Volunteers Day. We cooked our traditional foods, made a presentation about our countries and we celebrated this day by our own. 

I'm sure that after this project I will be better version of myself then in the beginning. I recommend this project to everyone, who think that, she/he is ready to take part in challenge, because it is really good adventure in everyone’s life.    

And thank ESC,  IBPolska and GYE, for this opportunity. 

Mariam pipia's ESC story

Hello everyone, my name is Mariam, 18 years old student from Rustavi, Georgia, who's going to share her little experience from the story, which is taking part in one of the most beautiful and interesting city in Europe. In the summer after the end of first year of university, I decided to take part in ESC’s project and I found the best option for me - 10 month in Poland, volunteering in special school of krakow.

My project started in September. Volunteers from all over Europe are divided in different schools and kindergartens of Krakow. As I already mentioned, I'm volunteering in a special school of krakow, where students with special needs study. To be honest this school is little heaven in Poland, because of energetic, careful, lovely teachers who are in love with their job and students, who are also smart, lovely and super interesting. This school made me realize, that human abilities really have no limitations. I hope after the end of this project I’ll continue working in this field in Georgia.

With working in the school, this whole project is the best year of my life. Every day is full of new possibilities, new relationships, new feelings and crazy adventures. During these 3 month i meet the best people, who are trying to change the world for the better. Working and living with them gives me more energy and motivation to take part in these big changes. 

I’m sure after the end of this project, I'll be a totally different person, who’ll be ready for any kind of challenges, more determined, with more goals. Thank ESC and GYE for giving me this opportunity and I advise every young person to find projects which will be interesting for them and take part in them, Because ESC’s every project can be the best adventure of your life.