Keep calm and... in bocca al lupo!

Waking up at 6.45 am on Sunday morning can be harsh, especially if you know that you will need to wake up at 4 am the very next day to catch a Polskibus to go to Warszawa. On 13 September, nevertheless, I was really curious about holding my cultural presentation in Zespół Szkół n.3.

The recipients were two groups of 17 - 18 years old vocational education students who are going to spend a month in Bologna next October. It was really interesting for me for many reasons. 

Firstly, it was the first time I could “test” my Italian presentation on Polish youngsters, I tried to include facts, history, some language expressions and...gestures.

 
Secondly, I had the chance to understand a bit more about what Poles think about my country, since I asked them about their expectations and about common ideas Polish have about it. This intercultural element is vital to me, in order to understand more Wroclaw and Polish culture during my EVS.

Finally I was really looking forward to explain my point of view to the kids who are going to Italy and to soften any cultural shock they might experience there. 

I have to say I did not expect such focussed and active groups! My experience was not only very enjoyable and interactive but mad me reflect on how to be a better speaker and trainer for future sessions. I really hope they enjoy their internship in Italy and I wish them a big “IN BOCCA AL LUPO”.

The Dutch Cultural Evening!

Semper Avanti's Multicultural Language Cafe proudly presents... the Dutch Cultural Evening!
This month it's time for Wendy, our volunteer from the Netherlands, to show her country.

Would you like to know more about the Netherlands? To experience 'Holland' while staying in Wrocław? And to taste some delicious Dutch food? All you have to do is to show up at Centrum Sektor 3 on Tuesday the 29th of September. The evening starts at 17:30.

Oh, and it's for free! ^_^

Sebastian: a new volunteer in Semper Avanti

Moin/ Cześć!

I’m Sebastian from Germany. I’m 19 years old and I finished the school last June. Now I will do a European voluntary service (EVS) for 6 month in Wroclaw.

I want to learn more about the Polish culture and the people. Furthermore I also hope to gain nice experiences in Poland.

My hobbies are sailing, indoor climbing and I like to play ultimate Frisbee.

I’ll work in a kindergarten in Ślęża, so I want to learn some pedagogical skills and also memorable moments together with the kids.

Also I’ll start learning polish. I heard that it’s a very difficult language, but I’m happy about all the options I get.

I’m curious about the next weeks in this big city and the adventures I will experience!!!

Do you want to know our new volunteer in MLC, Frederic Blindow?

Guten Tag / Dzien Dobry,

I am a 19 years old german called Frederic Blindow.
Now I am a new member of the Multicultural Language Cafe at Semper Avanti. This means a lot to me, because I can give back what I have received so far. Nowadays europe is changing in every second, so I would like to improve this changes with the whole team. Of course it is scary to be in a unusual enviroment, but I think it is a big chance for me to get out of my comfort zone and to become a better version of myself.

As the most germans I love soccer. Furthemore I like to read, to dance, to explore the nature
and to listen great music. Travelling and cooking are my hobbies aswell.

I was named by Fryderyk/ Frédéric Chopin a famous pianist from Poland with a huge predilection to France. Moreover is my father Polish and my mother German. So my parents represent multiculturalism and my name is a symbol of that. Definitely I can support the idea, because I love Europe and all the diversitys that are included. That's why I am proud to be a volunteer at Semper Avanti, because now I have the opportunity to improve the multiculturalism.

I wish all of you a nice day and kind regards,
Frederic Blindow

New volunteer in Semper Avanti: Ana Bernardino!

I’m Ana, I’m from Granada, from the south of Spain. I’m 29 years old. I studied pedagogy in Granada and one year in Valencia with an exchange program.

I like trekking, walking through the city and knitting.

I’ve worked in a women and families homeless shelter for one year and a half.

I want to be an EVS volunteer since a lot of years, but I could not do it before. I wanted to finish my studies before I do an EVS. I chose this project because I wanted to work in a kindergarten. I’m interested in non-formal and informal education.

I’ll be here for 6 six months. I don’t know anything about Poland or Polish culture. I think I’ll enjoy this country and the experience.

Julia`s polish summer!

Just 1 week left till the end of summer. Not so much at all but still there is some nice memories about my polish summer 2015.

I think it will be good to start from midterm EVS training. It took place in the beginning of summer. All volunteers who were involved in their projects more or less half a year had opportunity to get together in so calm, peaceful, historical city – Kaziemierz Dolny. We were living in the forest on the hill and most of our activities we did in the nature. It was in a form of conversations, discussions in small groups, games. Also I can say that we had really creative and interesting group of EVS volunteers from different countries. Participants were from: Indonesia, Ukraine, Belorussia, Georgia, Greece, German, Armenia, Mexico, Macedonia, France, Hungary and our trainers from Poland. I can just say this meeting and especially people gave me a lot of energy, new emotions and motivation.

Second good thing to remember is travelling and hitchhiking after training from Kaziemierz Dolny to Lublin.

After training some participants decided to  travel together. On the way we met different people, businessman of Kaziemierz Dolny, architecture  women, student boy from Warsaw. With them we have spent very good time, we shared our culture to them and also got many information about Poland. That`s  why hitchhiking is interesting and informative.

The first place of destination was Lublin.  It was even more  funny than I expected. We met one Ukrainian girl Daria, who hosted us, showed the city and shared her hospitality with us. We invited her to visit us in Wroclaw. Thanks to this trip we have got one very good friend.

Flash mob of Femininity

First of August, in the main square of Wroclaw was held Flash mob of Femininity.  It was amazing event. I think most of you will agree with me, when girls gathering together, they create a special atmosphere of the beauty. Exactly this atmosphere we were sharing  with everyone around!  Main idea of the flash mob was to give womens  flowers and to remind everyone about feminity.

“Global Village”

For more than four years I was a member of one youth international organization – AIESEC. Month ago I and other volunteers from Semper Avanti were invited to visit one cultural event “Global Village”. I was very happy to meet people from different countries, more over to try their national food and  talk about our cultures.

Training from Semper Avanti “World at our home”

Frankly speaking, it was the best training I have ever visited. Main topic of this training was Human Rights. All participants created really friendly atmosphere. People were from different part of the world. That week we became really good team. I really enjoyed with program. The most challenging part for me was simulation games, such as UN model, refuges game.  So many useful tools that I am sure every volunteer can use in daily life. This one week was big challenge for me, now I feel more confident at my work.

Thank you for attention.

I wish everyone to have good  weekJ

Michael Běrský's summer activities!

Volunteers from Semper Avanti in language school named Ger-Elis

There is an English - German - Spanish language school in the city centre of Wroclaw. Rooms and the whole space of this schools is totally splendid. Beautiful Paintings on the walls, friendly animals and positive people everywhere around. Summer holiday is going on right now and so many children spend their time in this summer school learning English and having good time.

What are a volunteer´s tasks in this school?

We make presentations, tell stories, play games, do some yoga, and catch me if you can game and the main thing: speak English. We try to make presentations suitable for an one´s children age. That means we use pictures, fairy tales and simple words.

There is a weekly and amusing program for kids. We go to Hala Stulecia to see Marilyn Monroe’s exhibition, parks, village farm, sometimes for a boat ride or stay in the school.

In the end of an each day children go to a vegan restaurant in the city centre of Wroclaw. Eating meals as a vegan pancakes, pierogy and kotlet with vegetables.

All about Chiara!

Hi there! My name is Chiara and I am from Bergamo, a small town at 50 km distance from the better known city of Milan, buzzing economic heart of my country, Italy. After getting a Bachelor in International Studies and European Institutions at the University of Milan, I moved to Padua for my Master and decided to spend my last student year as an Erasmus in the dynamic city of Valencia (Spain). 

Then I got back to Italy, got my Master in European Law and Policies and found a run-of-the-mill job in my hometown. Yet, I did not want my international journey to finish yet. Firstly, I started being more involved in my community and collaborating with an informal group of youngsters in my hometown organizing events on the themes of human rights, culture, heritage and active citizenship. 

Later, I found out about EVS and decided to embark into a new EVS adventure! I have been volunteering in MLC for Semper Avanti since August and I actually started off with a bang, since on my second day in Poland I was already heading to Nowy Gierałtów to participate to World at Our Home training course about human rights. I also have the chance to make some presentations and games about Italy in GERELIS language school in the last weeks and I found out that Poles (even the youngest ones) love my home country and already know so much about it! 

 I am really excited to be part of this project and I am eager to share something new about my culture with the people I meet, discover Poland, learn and improve myself in the exciting Wroclaw! On a side note, I have always been fascinated about more northern-like places and temperament, which can be quite different from what I am accustomed to. 

Unluckily, the language is still a barrier for me, but Polish classes will start soon and I am committed to learning it and becoming a bit “Polish” in this year ahead. Na razie! :)