ESC Story from Poland -Kristina Tsereteli

Hello, I’m Kristina Tsereteli. It was a usual day in September, when everything started. Someone called me and said that I was invited for the interview. That time I didn’t realize this interview would change my life. Surprisingly, I was chosen for an exchange program. It was so hard to believe, because I had tried for the first time and epidemic situation wasn’t so good in the world, though however this attempt became successful.

So, I went for living my new life in Poland, Bialystok, that is amazing with its fantastic nature, all green and fresh around. My voluntary job was at special school, that is quite closer to my profession, because, I worked as a special teacher in Georgia as well. Besides, the school where I worked was also dormitory.

There were some different special classes for kids and also for adults, I saw how psychologists, occupational therapists and speech therapists work with children with special needs, also I had the opportunity to become a direct participant in the learning process, that was much interesting to interact with students, make some friendly relationships with them and with people who worked there, that also made me easier to learn Polish language, because I had to remind the words and sentences that I really needed while communicating. Sometimes the students and me had to exchange roles, sometimes they were teachers for me, and sometimes I was as a teacher for them, we also cooked together some Georgian cookies, and Polish as well, during that time we had much funny stories.

Honestly, my expectations really justified. I really wanted to get to know how special teachers worked here, new technics, new strategies, maybe also I could share my experience for them, that we really did. On the other hand, what I love about Erasmus+ projects the most is that in the beginning we are all strangers to one another but by the end of the project we all become really close friends (which btw makes it really hard to say goodbye). The world feels so small when you gather around people from different parts of the world in one room sharing their stories and giving you the pictures of what it feels like to be a person of their nationality. This is the type of learning which broadens your horizons and makes you see the world from a different perspective. We always planned some tours together, almost lived together and these ten months we became as a big family. Frankly speaking, it wasn’t so easy from the beginning, because there were some different attitudes about different topics, and cultural dissonance, but for sure, later it became challenge in all of our lives, that really taught us a lot, made much stronger and the result is this big family, how we really feel now

Overall the project it was really successful both on a professional and personal level. I am truly grateful for the life-long friendships that I have made and memories I have collected during my time in Bialystok. I want to thank ECS for giving me this opportunity and ANAWOJ our hosting organization in Poland for making this project possible.

My volunteering year - Ana Nemsadze

 

Soon to be over?

According to the initial plan 10 days from now I should be on a plane leaving Georgia. I can’t possibly imagine this scenario and that’s why I decided to prolong my project here for 2 more months. 

So what are my thoughts after almost 300 days of living in Rustavi? 

At this point I am really ‘used to’ to the lifestyle, cuisine, people and culture. I humbly accept many things that I maybe still can’t fully comprehend, like cars never stopping on the pedestrian crossing, usual lack of schedule for anything etc. It was difficult to switch from my European attachment to order, planning and organization to Georgian spontaneity and impulsiveness. I am trying to take and learn as much as I can from the differences that I’ve encountered. To be more patient and worry less. To celebrate and appreciate every day a little bit more – I love seeing Georgian men playing backgammon like the world besides them doesn’t exist. I want to be more hospitable and “pay back” all kindness I received from people here. 

Time of ESC was crucial to my growth as a person. It was (actually still is) a chance to reflect on my life, values that are important to me and I want to share with others. I am grateful that I could do all of it here, in Georgia. 

I am a bit afraid that after going back to Europe life will be boring and predictable. However, I am sure that at some point I will be back here, again, to surround myself with mountains, wine and wilderness of this place, that has a special room in my heart now.

Meri Tsitskishvili - "Forest Tale" ESC project in Bulgaria

I have heard about the volunteer program a long time ago, I have heard a lot about how great opportunities the experience and knowledge of the volunteer program will give you, but I have never had the courage to take this crucial step. 

However, when I read about the forest tale, ESC project that involved a group of volunteers from different countries began on March 19 and ended on May 17 in Varhovrah, Bulgaria. Project mission was to promote and encourage an ecological and sustainable lifestyle through and intercultural perspective.

I had never heard of Bulgaria before, all I knew was that it belonged to the Black Sea countries. I realized it was my chance. I am from an industrial city where ecology is a major problem. This project gave me the opportunity to learn about ecology and find a solution, the most important of which was to attract people interested in caring for the environment. The project gave me a lot of opportunities to work with the team, plan activities and take care of the environment, but the most interesting was to make a small film that left a small message to the public - take care of the environment. Also culinary and traditional days, which shared many cultures and allowed me to imagine my country, where we prepared many Georgian dishes, as well as prepared Khinkali for sixteen people and taught Georgian dance, which many volunteers wanted to learn. After which many volunteers expressed a desire to see Georgia.

It was unforgettable to discover Bulgaria while traveling to its beautiful cities or villages, I prepared a dazzling traditional Bulgarian cheese that is very tasty. We hosted a fire team with whom we were preparing the scenery and one evening we saw a fire show. The project was loaded with lots of exciting activities, I learned to work with the camera and I learned to shoot the right shots.

I can confidently say that my life has changed dramatically during these two months. I want many young people to experience volunteering, as similar projects offer young people another stage of development and opportunities

8 month in Georgia

It seems like yesterday when I arrived in Georgia and saw my first Marshrutka. Even though that first it was from a hotel room where I needed to stay in quarantine because of… you know (I swear I will not use the name). Then time started to fly and now it has been almost 8 months since I arrived in Rustavi, Georgia. First time everywhere, new people that I have never seen, food that I have never tasted.

Then, I travelled around, met a bunch of new people, tried a lot MORE of Georgian cuisine and wine (both awesome) and saw a bit more that Georgia has to offer. I started my own lessons and activities with the local youngsters and we managed to maintain some contact even in the harder “online/curfew” times. I had lessons for the economy and environmental sciences (both from my field of study and interest) and I met up with the people from the Czech embassy, who are working here in Georgia, not only in international development but overall in diplomacy (also my field of interest). And with some we become friends. I encountered the local groups of volunteers not only from Rustavi but also from Tbilisi, Gori and Ozurgeti (and online with people volunteering in other countries east from my homeland). Together we have some nice adventures, but as time is flying, some of us are slowly on the way to other places further away or closer to our common time in Georgia.

I have to admit that even though Georgia did not give me what I expected when I applied, it gave me valuable time to do whatever I wanted to. I have not used it fully yet and there is always room for more discovery and exploration and better time management (something that I struggle deeply with). I used that time and invested it where I see potential. With all this in mind, I know that I am not the person that I used to be before I came here. I have grown up and from now on I will always have Georgia on my mind and in my heart. 

It became a game-changer in my life and even though I do not know where my other paths will lead me to I will be glad If at some point in the future it will be to Georgia again.