MOVIT mid-term trainings

Europe Solidarity Corps volunteers have the opportunity to participate in on-arrival and mid-term trainings organized by the Slovenian national agency MOVIT.

Our volunteer Ester is sharing her impressions about the mid-term training that happened last month.
 
About three weeks ago, we went to the mid-term training. What is this? Well, during your ESC year, you have an on-arrival training and then you get another one called mid-term. For this occasion, we joined other volunteers in Slovenia and gathered in Terme Čatež for 4 days. There, we had the chance to enjoy the nature surrounding the area as well as the thermal spots. It was also a very nice opportunity to get to know new people and find things in common and things in which we differ, both on a personal level as well as on a working level. This training focused on checking whether our expectations for our projects are being met and whether we are content with our organizations and what they are providing to us. In general, it’s a chance to relax, reflect, and enjoy being present. This training gave me exactly what I needed: a space to be away from my routine, to disconnect from screens, and to just reflect on my ESC project so far. It is important for me to look back on what has been happening and make a review of it. Thanks to this review, I now know more clearly the best way to move forward.
 
Ester is also sharing some pictures from the training 😍

Alberto

Hello, everyone!

I’m really happy to have made the decision of doing a one year experience abroad and experimenting how living in a foreign country, far away from home, speaking a language that is not your mother tongue, really looks like.

First three months were the most challenging: you have to stay in a flat with four other people that you don’t know and you have to communicate with them in English all the time, but after everything started to be really fine. My flatmates are cool; my co-workers are also really nice. We had a training in November and we met many other people volunteering here in Slovenia and it was a really special experience.

The town of Škofja Loka Is really nice and picturesque, surrounded by a really green countryside and small rivers. People are nice, generous and welcoming. With the other volunteers, I traveled around Slovenia and neighboring countries (Croatia, Hungary), I assisted to local traditional festival, like Krampus in November and Kurent in February, extremely fascinating, especially from a cultural prospective, and I ate typical food. I did some experiences that I had never done before, like ice-skating and climbing, I have seen the snow again after more than ten years.

At work, thanks to the flexible conditions of the project, I had the opportunity to create workshops for the kids and the youngsters and to express myself through creativity. Working with kids is a great experience, fun and challenging at the game time, but it gives you a lot: you will express your humanity, use your empathy, and free your mind from all the negativity to melt it with the one of the kids, and this is magic. You will go back on time, awakening your inner child and realizing that it never got lost.

There are still many things that I would like to do in these remaining months. Anyway, I will share some pictures to describe these special months here! 

Adijo!

Alberto.

Marina

Hey everyone!

I never imagined that moving to another country would change my life so much. I come from a large, overpopulated city, Athens, Greece, which was stressful for me to live in. I decided to move to Slovenia because I wanted to improve my quality of life. So, I found this program related to the social and human sciences that I’ve studied (psychology), and I seized the opportunity! Working with young people and kids is a great opportunity to enrich your creativity and improvisation. It’s a fulfilling experience that it definitely assists you to discover yourself even though sometimes is challenging. You know, it needs a lot of energy and motivation working with youngsters!

Slovenia is a magical place, surrounded by nature, beautiful rivers, and the greenest scenery I’ve ever seen in my life. However, the most magical thing about this place is the people. This was my biggest concern before I moved here. But, it’s so easy to find friends because the network of volunteers is so wide, and you will never be alone!

Me and my 4 flatmates we live in Škofja Loka, a small, cute town, which is an enriching experience in many ways. The town’s picturesque charm, nestled amid stunning natural landscapes, offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. The community here is welcoming and tight-knit, making it easy to connect with others and make meaningful relationships. Whether exploring the historic streets, enjoying outdoor activities along the scenic rivers, or simply soaking in the serene ambiance, Škofja Loka truly embodies the essence of Slovenian beauty and hospitality. Each day brings new discoveries and opportunities for growth, making this quaint town feel like home.

Overall, this is the best year of my life, making friends, sharing culture, traveling to neighbor countries, going for walks in the nature and improving myself. I wish everyone had such a wonderful experience abroad as I have.