ON ARRIVAL TRAINING. JENNIFER SOTO

So, last week was my on-arrival training in Warsaw.

I was very excited but at the same time I had no clue what to expect for the training.There were a lot of people from different countries and ages living in Polanddoing this volunteering experience abroad. 

It was a week full of activities, games, discussions, challenges and learning. We had time to hang out, explore the city, share experiences and embrace the cultural differences. They gave us many tips on having the best experience in Poland, how to adapt and solve conflicts, deal with the cultural shock and a few polish classes, too. We had a lot of fun. 

We had a time to share our culture and our super power. It was very interesting to teach and learn some words in different languages, do some yoga for beginners, rules of thirds in photography and basics of football. Learn the Georgian alphabet, the most traditional dishes in Turkey, important facts about Ukraine and the Spanish dance called Macarena. We also did puppets for shadow theater and much more.

The days passed by, we kept knowing each other better and became friends. 

For our last night in Warsaw we visited a couple of museums because last saturday was the International Museum Day and that meant night at the museums.

Museums have a different charm at night and the city looks spectacular, and surrounded by amazing people, looks even better.

 

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: My favorite part was the traditional polish dances presentation, I enjoyed learning some basics dance steps even though I’m not good at all. 🙈

From this experience I realize that, although all of us come from different countries and continents, we share social and political realities, some dishes, similar traditions, the aim for traveling, discovering the world, learning and keep learning, taking chances, exploring, and of course, helping and doing volunteering service wherever we are. That’s what got us here.

This week was to wide our vision of the EVS experience. It’s about voluntering, living in another country, exploring new places, make connections and, as a friend told me, it’s about growing and to become a citizen of the world.

:) 

-Jennifer Soto