we are all almost ready to start our new experience! Actually it's not totally new for everybody but for some of us it is! I am talking about the CMS which will begin tomorrow evening with some interesting activities to let the participants get to know each other..
We have talked a lot about how the seminar will go through, in order to be helpful and ensure that everyone could participate in the best way it's possible!
Yesterday we had even two meetings. One with our mentor Danijela and one with our coordinator Damjan. In the former we had been taught about almost each activity of the CMS, it has been really helpful as I can definitely say I have a clear idea about what my role will be in the very next days, which is the main aim of it, and so on..and even if we know( as Danijela highlighted this aspect more than once!!) we will have very busy and stressful days (in a positive sense of course!) I feel very happy and excited!!
In the latter meeting we talked about another important topic..our EVS! After almost a month here in Osijek we are drawing the first conclusions I would say..and I am very glad to inform you people that from both sides, us as volunteers and them as hosting organization, are very satisfied about the work we are doing here, about the people we have met, how we get along among each other and how much we are looking forward for the next challenges!!
It's such an important thing to find a comfortable environment at work, not only abroad but even when you are in your own country as you feel you can speak honestly to the people whom you are working with and whom you are spending the most of the time with.
Damjan also asked us for what we would like to deepen, so for instance I would like to broaden my knowledge about political and cultural aspects of Croatia and in general of the Balkans because of my studies.
I have studied Politics and International Relations in Padova and I have always been very interested in the Balkans because of its past, its varied culture, so I am trying to be en expert (little by little!) of this beautiful peninsula! Magdalena, on the opposite, expressed her wish for doing more practical activities such as the dogs-asy one; finally Madara talked about her main interests too.
So everything seems to be perfect for now and when I think about just a couple of months ago, when I was informed I could come to Osijek and I tried to imagine how it would be, I still cannot believe that it's going on so fine!!!! Sometimes I guess there will be somehow the other side of the coin cuz I really feel everything fits and this world is not heaven so nothing is perfect..but for the moment I just want to be positive and keep on getting all the good things this EVS is giving me!
But let's turn to the weeekend!! I cannot skip the Austrian National Evening of course!
Friday night was Magdalena's nig
ht as she presented her country and let us taste some of Austrian dishes!It has been another interesting and very pleasant night together, like the past ones. Her friends were there too so it was a proper Austrian party as they also played the violin and guitar while singing some traditional funny songs! I say funny only cuz I've known the rhythm since I was a child as we have something similar in Veneto and Trentino Alto-Adige so it was really nice to hear them!
Well, I must add another good story! I know some of you will appreciate that! ;-)
While the party was having place, a boy who works for an internet portal which is a sort of blog about Osijek and in particular for youth in this city (I am not sure I am saying right about it so I'll leave you the link for checking: http://mojosijek.hr/) came for interviewing the three of us.. Of course, I found the reason to be nervous that night too!!! He wanted us to answer some questions about how Croatia is known and seen in our three countries, what people think about Croatians and stuff like that, and as I had to be recorded I felt really in a state (namely agitated)!!!! So I stressed for a while Damjan and Danijela, who were actually looking forward for me to being jumping all around the Youth Center (of course because of my anxiety!) and moving my hands faster and faster!! (As you know, gesticulate is tipically Italian, but when I am very nervous I do it in a faster and funnier way). How did it go? Very very well! I liked talking to him, I found the conversation we had very interesting cuz I explained to him lots of things about what the main idea which Italians have about the Balkans is and specifically about Croatia, then we compared our views and feelings so I really enjoyed the interview! Hence, once again: why do I have to stress myself before I know how something is indeed??? I would punch myself!
Anyway..this is me..I keep on trusting that I will make myself better by getting older (what a ridiculous hope!!!!) ;-)
But let's go back to the weekend..as you know Magdalena's friends stayed at us until Monday afternoon so we spent the weekend with them. I really had a great time with them, they reminded me to my Italian friends as they were very extroverted and loud!!! I love people who are good-fellowship and that is what we had! Even though we were too many for fitting in our flat, we did not have any kind of problem (also the toilet survived, although in these last days it has been very very very busy!!! ahahah!!!).
In conclusion it's something we can handle (for a few days plain-spoken!!!) so......Italian friends??? I am waiting for you visiting your dear friend Federica!!!!! :-D
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