Български
NEWS
EVS – An experience that changes you forever
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16.08.2018
I am trying to gather my thoughts into one article, and more and more I realize that a handful of words will never be worthy to describe the experiences, the thousands things learned, the moments that put you on edge in order to jump from there and make a great flight; the many close friendships, the strong mentor support, the huge result you see from your work and the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a new country and culture.
In few words, my project was related to organizing cultural, sports, discussion events, trips and camps on the territory of Latvia for international students in order to feel accepted and free to express themselves and their culture, to have an environment in which they are able to get to know the foreign traditions and customs and to feel Latvia and the Latvians close to themselves, and also the local ones to open their hearts and homes to the strangers.
Part of our successful events in this direction were the multiple sharing of traditional foods, master classes in Uzbek and Colombian cuisine, 2 dance events, “koleduvane” in Latvian homes and the center of Riga (yes, we became famous: D), Christmas dinners during which international students attended the homes of local families, two camps with international and Latvian students, celebrating all national local holidays and the most official Bulgarian holiday and discussing different themes of religion, Christianity the essence of life. We also support active lifestyles through regular soccer, basketball, bowling, table games, and trips across local cities and attractions.
As any other thing, this project has had its own difficulties, such as missing your flights in the middle of your destination, the discrepancies with expectations when you arrive, the experience of a loooong, sunless winter with constant freezing temperatures, the need to cope with local culture and understanding teamwork, nostalgia from time to time, the privilege and the challenge to organize and initiate your own work and events, the hundreds of people you meet…
But in all these moments, with the help of the Bulgarian and the coordinating organization, with the help of the trainings provided to all EVS volunteers, with the help of the mentor who challenges you to get out of your borders, gives ideas when you have none and warms up your heart with a small gift, with the help of all newly built friendships, the family that supports the from far away and the local Bulgarians in Latvia, all these difficult moments, passed quickly and built up new skills.
And in the end of the project, the only thing you want is to never end. And after the end ... there is a new grown-up me, which allowed itself to know in depth new cultures, learned to accept, understand and enjoy the different, overcome the fear of the new and the unknown, learned more about its homeland and to be loving and proud not only with her, but also with a new dear country - Latvia.
And if someone still wonders whether to do it on not, Just do it, this is an experience that will challenge and change you.
Part of our successful events in this direction were the multiple sharing of traditional foods, master classes in Uzbek and Colombian cuisine, 2 dance events, “koleduvane” in Latvian homes and the center of Riga (yes, we became famous: D), Christmas dinners during which international students attended the homes of local families, two camps with international and Latvian students, celebrating all national local holidays and the most official Bulgarian holiday and discussing different themes of religion, Christianity the essence of life. We also support active lifestyles through regular soccer, basketball, bowling, table games, and trips across local cities and attractions.
As any other thing, this project has had its own difficulties, such as missing your flights in the middle of your destination, the discrepancies with expectations when you arrive, the experience of a loooong, sunless winter with constant freezing temperatures, the need to cope with local culture and understanding teamwork, nostalgia from time to time, the privilege and the challenge to organize and initiate your own work and events, the hundreds of people you meet…
But in all these moments, with the help of the Bulgarian and the coordinating organization, with the help of the trainings provided to all EVS volunteers, with the help of the mentor who challenges you to get out of your borders, gives ideas when you have none and warms up your heart with a small gift, with the help of all newly built friendships, the family that supports the from far away and the local Bulgarians in Latvia, all these difficult moments, passed quickly and built up new skills.
And in the end of the project, the only thing you want is to never end. And after the end ... there is a new grown-up me, which allowed itself to know in depth new cultures, learned to accept, understand and enjoy the different, overcome the fear of the new and the unknown, learned more about its homeland and to be loving and proud not only with her, but also with a new dear country - Latvia.
And if someone still wonders whether to do it on not, Just do it, this is an experience that will challenge and change you.
