You can teach anything to anyone!

You do not believe me, do you? But the thing is, you really can. Oh yes, you can argue with me, find 1o thousands of examples where people 'fail' in learning. And they kinda do, sometimes, for various reasons. The more I teach, the more I learn, and the more amazed I am. No, no, no, do not take me wrong, but there is still a lot I have got to learn. Teaching is also not an easy process.

First of all, people have different capacities, different attention span, different interests, different motor skills. What to one comes in a blink of an eye, for other may be hours of hard work. What for one may be the most interesting thing in the world, for other can be absolutely boring to death and beyond. We are all different, and that is beautiful. It is harmful to say everything is about motivation, because there is a lot of social pressure as well. Oh, you may raise your eyebrow skeptically right now. Are you sure there is no such a thing? So... let's say ballet. When are you supposed to start it? Around 6th year of your life to have a chance to do career, am I right? People 12 years old are considered already late start. Same with playing violin. And those are just two examples I have personal experience with.

As a little girl I wanted to learn both badly, but my parents never could afford it, neither believed I am gonna stuck with at least one. Years passed and I became way to old to do any career, my interests changed, but deep in my heart there was always longing to give it a shot. And... Then I moved to another city, started university. The faith put on my way two amazing people, Mr. Wacław, who still teaches ballet to adults, and Monika, who is passionate about teaching violin to human beings considered way to old for that. They both taught me you are never too old. Never ever. You may not get to national orchestra or opera (well, frankly speaking, who knows? after all everything is possible...) but you can enjoy the activity a lot and get good enough for your satisfaction. The other thing, if you start today, you will be one step closer to your goal.

Second of all, teachers have my greatest admiration. It truly is a service, a hard one. Having a group of 5 trying to make simple macrame bracelets is complicated. Not everybody gets the movements
quickly. Sometimes it would be way better to have them one on one, to guide them and slowly make more space for their own experiments. And imagine having that beautiful mixture of 20 or more various personalities, skills, and interests... Oh, you see, I would never thought boys may actually want to make bracelets, or what is worse - earrings. But here we go, 5 teenage boys focused on passing the needle through tiny beads. I did not want to believe it is even possible, I would honestly expected bad jokes and some self defensive system working on the highest level. How did I got it wrong! It is good though, keeps me amazed with people over and over, and fall in love with them.

But then, you can teach anything to anyone. If a person has motivation (if not, you can always try to wake up that motivation, what may be quite a challenge). If you adjust yourself to your students needs (I know you are just a human being, with bad days, worries, all small lazinesses on the edges; me too; you may have different way of teaching than your student learning, or you may not even like your student). If... If... If... There is hundreds variables. And I am not able to tell you what is the golden rule of teaching, I am still learning, and every situation is different.

I am just saying, you can teach anything you know to anyone. And you can learn anything. And you can even learn how to teach. It is nothing you were born with, seriously. It is not going to be easy, may be even harder than you think, but it is possible. Remember to be patient with yourself, and with others. Patience may be the key.

My yoga/meditation teacher in one of his emails wrote to me, that the reason why you wanna teach also matters. If it is just to satisfy your ego, have people admire you and respect... do you think it is a good reason? But if you want to share your knowledge/skills, lift people up, possibly make them grow taller than you are, climb higher... Hey, that is how we bring the change to the world, isn't it?

And if you have any doubts or different point of view, please leave a comment, I will be glad to discuss with you a bit more about it.

P.S.
Here is one of TED talks which proves that sky is not a limit, your body is neither, and you can do anything you drem of.

P.S. P.S.

Do you see the photo below? It is one of my first soutache earrings vs. one of the newest ones. You would not think they may be such a difference. But... 4 years or more. One step at a time, and not giving up, even though there were days of doubt.

P.S. P.S. P.S.

For me the biggest struggle is music, and sometimes new languages. And juggling. With music I get so stressed and tense and lack confidence, that it just do not work. Well, it does when someone has enough patience and takes steps small enough so I am able to follow them. With languages... I just give myself time, do not push anything, repeat, read, do exercises, speaking comes with patience. With jugging is exactly the same. Believe me, if you repeat and do not give up sooner or later, you are going to get it right!

Those days of the month

You only can see the rainbow when it is rainy.

Some days it all adds up and what you got is not enough.
[...]
Some days are honest, some days are not;
Some days you're thankful for what you've got.
[...]
Some days I hear a voice taking me to another place.
Some days are better then others.

- U2: Some days are better than others.

Let's face it. There is a thing on EVS you will hardly hear about. You will hear about the fun, the friends, the memories, the tasks, the daily experience... But never about the those days we all have; those bad mood days, those dark moments of fear, pressure, loneliness, lack of motivation... And about that is my article today. Woo-hoo!!

At the beginning, everything is brand new. Or at least, it should be. It can be something you can touch, as the food, or something you can feel, as the time you take the lunch. The people you are going to be with is also new to you: mentors, coordinators, co-workers, flatmates... And of course, you will take awareness of what's around you: stores, markets, parks, restaurants...

After one month, or even less, and without realising, you will have set a daily routine. 
Seems nice, isn't it?

The problem with routine is that, after some time, everything seems the same. No new adventures, no new people, no new tasks... Sometimes, it may happen that you feel down, kinda stuck, maybe two months after your arrival, maybe after the on-arrival training, maybe when you think you have everything under control...

Suddenly, there is a day you feel different. There is a day you feel lost and alone in a foreign country, missing home. Or without a clue and any motivations about your work, asking yourself if you are doing right with/for your project. Or disappointed about your current situation (housing, food, daily life, relationships...), wondering if coming here has been a good idea.

Yes, this can happen during your EVS too. But don't be discouraged about this!

Actually, those are better news that it seems: the comfort itself is pushing you out of your place. Now you are starting to think, to discuss with yourself, what you really want, what you need (and what don't) and to realise how are you feeling right now. You see, nothing bad at all.

So, change your mind. First: EVS, or whatever takes you out of your comfort zone is, indeed, a good idea. Probably, it's the best you ever had, but you still haven't time to realise about it. 

And second: this is absolutely normal. Actually, you are really strong for choosing this path, which isn't the easiest one. When you speak with other volunteers, most of them are feeling or has felt one of those moments, one way or another.

This is my experience with those days, if it may help...

Don't get me wrong; I'm very, very, very happy to live and work here, and have the opportunity to live this unique adventure - you can't imagine how happy I am -. But I would be lying if I don't say that there have been some dark days lately, in which I felt falling down, struggling to find a single positive thing...
 ...and even during those days, I get to find, at least, three positive moments.

Those 'dark days' have been days in which I've felt lonely, feeling an empty space inside me, feeling without nobody to share some words, even when I had company (and the only time I'm completely alone is when I'm sleeping). My first reaction was to say: "Ok, I don't like how this feels. I will work to change it". 'Change', in that context, means take it out completely from my life.

But after have some interesting talks, with some members of my family here and everywhere, I decided to give it a try, and let that emptiness feeling be there, showing me whatever it has to teach. That feeling still seated down with me lately, more friendly everyday, working together to walk forward.

For me, the best you can do is that: let them be. They are going to exist, anyway. "Have fun" with them, if you find any creative way to do it. Or not; put them at your side until they finally go.
Because, as well they arrived, they will have gone when you least expect.

And one more thing: it may sound topic but, most of the times, solutions are just a talk away. Maybe with your flatmate(s), with your mentor(s), or with your coordinator(s). Being a journalist, I have to said that I'm still learning to communicate when there are some situations at home I don't like, which I used to keep for myself...

Try to don't do that, because it's the worse you can do. A small issue can grow as a snow ball running down a mountain. Maybe your words doesn't get the desire effect, maybe yes... You'll never know until you open the box. Anyway, it will be worth it.

It is not being an easy change, I have to say. Nobody said so. Well, Coldplay already warned us. But growing as a person is part of the EVS learning process as well. Take it easy, and enjoy the road.

Volunteer's Day in Viana

How many of you knows that first record of the verb volunteer comes from 1755? Pretty long time ago, don't you think? It has roots in French, is a derivation from the world voluntaire - one who offers himself for military service. Hasn't it change a bit since then?

As so Wikipedia says Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity where an individual or group provides services for no financial gain. Volunteering is also renowned for skill development, and is often intended to promote goodness or to improve human quality of life. Volunteering may have positive benefits for the volunteer as well as for the person or community served. It is also intended to make contacts for possible employment.

Forgive me reaching to Wiki, but 'volunteering' is one of those words everyone knows the meaning and nobody thinks about them deeper unless necessary.

In some places Volunteer's Day went by unnoticed, but it doesn't mean your help is any less important. And, above all, should you contribute and share with others to be noticed or just from simple need of your heart? Think about it for a moment. But then, when you give, you also get something. For me it's an exchange working both ways. In and out, however with no expectations attached.

We were lucky  to be taken for volunteers' meeting in Viana do Castelo, where there are three other database and apply!). We all have different stories to tell. Jorge for example started his adventure in college working his former high school and in summer camps. For me it's been over 10 years (in high school) and I've been through various adventures such as therapist of autistic children (with horses!), tutor or having workshops during art festivals.
EVS: Gretel, Melaine and Natalia. We had coffee, cookies, laughter and an opportunity to share our experiences, talk what volunteering means for us, and well... it is pretty amazing to be in another country (if you want to try yourself -> check out the

I'm not going to bore you to death how the meeting go: it was short and pleasant. We got some gadgets (pens and notebooks!), got too sign a message for future volunteers in a book, talked and after the formal part was over, Diana and Helder took us to try bolas de berlin (heaven in your mouth!), walked around, had dinner and see the church on the top of the hill. A beautiful day for which we are absolutely grateful.

It's not fair to tell for everyone, but I feel here like a part of big family. It couldn't be more perfect. Thank you, to all of you!

And say hi to fabulous Diana, one of our coordinators (Helder is in the background ^^)! Love you! 

Step 4: On-Arrival Training

On-Arrival Training in general: 

 

The main objective of the on-arrival training is to introduce the volunteers to the host country,  preparing them for the service period and the EVS experience. On-arrival training helps the volunteers adapt to cultural and personal challenges. It allows volunteers to get to know each other and to build a network. Volunteers also received guidance on conflict prevention and crisis management. At the same time, this training equips the volunteers with communication skills, including aspects of intercultural learning. It helps them become aware that cultural differences require different models of behaviour. The training is also a time for the volunteers to plan the coming months and to develop their own personal goals for their period of service, in line with the non-formal learning philosophy of EVS.

(Source: description of one of the projects on SALTO-YOUTH) 

It happens once, most likely somewhere on the beginning of your stay. It depends of the country (or region, as the best of my knowledge some partners countries like Turkey have their OAT with other countries in Georgia - or they had when I worked in Youth Centre in Turkey, so basically you may be surprised of the place where your training is organized, don't worry though - they'll have it covered)... So it depends of the country, but they will take care of you. By 'they' we mean National Agency of your host country. 

To not bore you to death, our training was in Braga, 9-14.11.2015, in more or less 6 weeks after our arrival. What I like about places like that is... first evening you meet all those people from different countries, is a little bit awkward, maybe uncomfortable, you're strangers one to another. But by the end, whether or not you gonna ever meet again, they become a piece of your heart. And it happened this time again. So many (60!) beautiful people, 4 great trainers and very little time to sleep. A lot of activities and content to cover, all in atmosphere of creativity. We got a little bit of everything: what EVS is (or is supposed to be), communication, cultural issues, Youth Pass, exploring Braga, building network and exchanging thousand smaller and bigger things, and much much more.

As much as I love my project, it was a bit hard to go back to the reality, but from other hand, I came back with open heart and new, bright energy and ideas. And well... maybe some of those other volunteers would like to share something also with you, here.

Now, just enjoy the photos, and if you have any questions, just write them down in comments! 

Lots of love!