En volontärs dagbok - del 1
Dear reader,
First of all, I would like to introduce myself. I am Maria. I come from Alicante (Spain). I am 29 years old. Could you come up with a better way to make the most of this year than embarking on an enthralling long-term ESC project in Sweden? I don’t think so!
My first day in Malmö with Océane, my social mentor and former ESC volunteer.
Sweden has always captivated me with its unrivalled organisation, inclusion methods, open-mindness, nature, and music. I must admit that I relish Swedish cuisine and I am a sucker for Melodifestivalen! So, it was high time for me to move here! It has always been written in the stars.
I am an English and Spanish teacher. I love spending time with children and teenagers and teaching them languages and European values. They hold the key to our future, so we’d better prepare them with the proper tools to face challenges and create a more peaceful world. Actually, this is my second ESC volunteering project. My first one took place in Poland. I have such fond memories of it that I couldn’t help repeating this magical experience. ESC projects nourish your soul on a daily basis personally, culturally and professionally. That's why I have opted for an ESC project for the second time, this time in Lomma Kommun.
It has already been three months since I arrived in Lomma. Every day that I get to spend here is literally a present. I cannot believe how fast time flies by! I reckon that is a good indicator. I am fascinated by the concepts of Fritidsklubb and Fritidsgård, which unfortunately don't exist in Spain, but are essential to guide and create bonds with our new generations. At our Youth Center, Centralen, the youth can express themselves and are stimulated and supported to participate actively and take responsibility for our non-formal activities.
The Spanish evening with the youth at Centralen.
These three months have been full of exhilarating events. We have carried out a plethora of sportive and creative activities for the pupils. We have organised many themed evenings for the youth too, such as, the Halloween baking night, the Girl Power night, the Tivoli night, the Funkis night and the Swimming pool night. The one I had the pleasure to be in charge of was the Spanish evening. I gave a workshop about Spain and I cooked Spanish food. We played some quizzes and we listened to Spanish music as well.
On-arrival course for ESC volunteers in Stockholm.
I also visited Stockholm on the on-arrival course for ESC volunteers organised by MUCF in October, where I met fabulous friends. In December, I was invited to a volunteer meet-up hosted by Awesome People in Kopparberg. The organisers really stand for their name because they absolutely smashed it! Being reunited with the volunteers and meeting new ones was amazing. We visited Kopparberg, played icebreaker games and lit a bonfire to cook our picnic in the middle of the snowy woods.
Volunteer meet-up hosted by Awesome People in Kopparberg.
Obviously, I encountered some culture shocks too, since I come from the warmest Spain. I am still adapting to the darkness, to early meal times and to the minus degree temperatures whenever the coldest temperatures I have experienced in Alicante are 10 degrees! Nevertheless, I can assure you that I cannot wait to defeat more Swedish challenges! I am ready to do my best for Lomma Kommun and to improve as a person and as a worker. Finally, I can only claim that I am fortunate to be with the best professional team at Centralen, who are charmingly guiding me in this thriving path.
Hope you enjoyed my first entry, thank you for your attention!
Maria MN