EVS volunteers from different foreign countries in Poland. (part3)

Today we have here the third part of interviews with foreign volunteers who came for EVS projects to Poland.
(Previous parts can be found here -part1 and here -part2 )

There is always written volunteer's name, age, country where he/she comes from and the city where he/she lives in Poland.

Sinan, age 27, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gdańsk
1. Why/how did you decide to do EVS project? And why in Poland?

I met one volunteer in Bosnia… She was from Poland… And I came mostly because of her – she is my girlfriend now. :)

2. What is your project about? What are your daily tasks?

I work with people with disabilities.


3. What did you gain from your experience here, what did you learn while participating in the project?

I learnt how to cook, how to wash my clothes. I learnt that I actually can look at disabled people the way I look at anyone else. I don’t feel strange at all in their presence (as most people do, and I did a bit as well before…)


4. What would you say or advice to future volunteer/s? (It can be someone already selected or someone who is considering EVS project...)

Join, you will not regret. Move from your comfort zone, you can experience more new things. Ships are not made to stay in harbours. They are made to float the river – around the world.


5. What do you miss the most from your country? Something you cannot find in Poland?

My family, hanging out with friends, food.



Flor, age 24, Spain, Milicz

1. Why/how did you decide to do EVS project? And why in Poland?

I got to know about EVS at the University. During one lesson the teacher was explaining how young people can use European programs and how to make young people more active. After that I checked it on internet. I wanted to come to Poland because one friend of mine from Spain spent here some time and had a good experience. So I wanted to come as well :) (And it is also quite cheap here.)


2. What is your project about? What are your daily tasks?

I take care of disabled children in the school and I am helping their teachers. We also have some activities for time after school – for the children with some family problems. And some activities with children in the library - Spanish and English lessons, cooking, poem courses…


3. What did you gain from your experience here, what did you learn while participating in the project?

I developed a lot my body language because I had to find another way how to communicate… When you don’t know the language or when the people are not able to communicate by using words – like disabled children for instance. I learnt how psychologists use the therapies to help the children – like hippotherapy, therapy with dog, kind of speech therapy – when the mute children are taught how to make some sounds, vowels… I also became more open minded and patient and I also feel more mature than before.


4. What would you say or advice to future volunteer/s? (It can be someone already selected or someone who is considering EVS project...)

It’s just one time in your life you can do EVS so don’t think too much – just do it!


5. What do you miss the most from your country? Something you cannot find in Poland?

Sunshine and "my" beach. :)
And – smiles. People here looks sometimes very serious. 



Ahmet, age 24 , Turkey, Gdańsk

 1. Why/how did you decide to do EVS project? And why in Poland?

Destiny. It really was a destiny. I prepared everything to apply for my EVS but then for some reasons I gave up. But one of my friends applied for many projects and he got accepted for Germany. But they answered him also from my current organization in Gdańsk that he could come to Poland. But since he decided for Germany, he sent them my CV, motivation letter etc. and told them that his friend = me could maybe come instead of him. So that’s how I got accepted for my project and then came to Poland. I told you - destiny. :)

2. What is your project about? What are your daily tasks?

I work with people with disabilities.

3. What did you gain from your experience here, what did you learn while participating in the project?

Patience.

4. What would you say or advice to future volunteer/s? (It can be someone already selected or someone who is considering EVS project...)

Check your foundation, hosting/coordinating organization, this will be important then during your project. The communication with them as well...


5. What do you miss the most from your country? Something you cannot find in Poland?


Food.

And friends and family of course.




Valentina, age 19, Nicola, age 21, Italy, Bydgoszcz 
(since they are couple and they spend a lot of time together  - we made this interview as well all together :) )

1. Why/how did you decide to do EVS project? And why in Poland?

N: We sent the applications together to a lot of organizations for quite a lot of projects and Polish organization was the one which accepted us together.

V: We wanted to go together. And we liked the project so we decided to try it and go to Poland.

N: Even though we didn’t know a lot about the country in the beginning.

2. What is your project about? What are your daily tasks?

V: We work with people with disabilities.


3. What did you gain from your experience here, what did you learn while participating in the project?

N: We learnt a bit Polish, we got to know new culture, we also got new point of view and we meet a lot of new people.

V: I also realized that I would like to work with people with disabilities in the future.

N: I am more self-conscious, I got more self-confidence about what I can do.


4. What would you say or advice to future volunteer/s? (It can be someone already selected or someone who is considering EVS project...)

N: Don’t be afraid and even if you find a lot of difficulties during your stay – don’t give up.

V: Be strong.

N: You can do anything.


5. What do you miss the most from your country? Something you cannot find in Poland?


V: Pizza. Family, friends.

N: The sun and friends. Family. People.


Comments