Category: Volunteering

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Second month

I have to say that this month has been relatively longer. When you start to accept the fact that you are not only visiting for a longer period of time, but you actually moved away from home, it get’s a bit harder to stay focused.

November 1

Starting November by going on a small trip to Croatia. Few days away. Although it’s already November I’m still able to go out to terrace bare foot and enjoy my morning coffee like it would be a summer morning. Still filled motivation and even when I’m away I keep thinking about what would I like to create inside organization.

November 3

It’s Saturday. On our way home we went to Piran. If you have been there then you probably know the St. George’s Parish Church which is located on the hill by the coastal area. The view from there is breathtaking, especially if the sky is clear. Across the bay of Adriatic sea the Dolomites are visible, so as the conversation with a friend is going I can’t keep my attention away from them.

You need to appreciate those moments. You need to cherish the place and stop for a moment even if you’re on a hurry. Just take the view and the moment. It’s the present and you need to enjoy it. It’s happening only because of you. You put yourself there through many other decisions. Little appreciation is needed to fully take the moment. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqpX5N0Bq9v/

November 6

Two days of filming already. Angles and sound, speed of movement and eye contact through camera screen. Confusing is the word I am looking for to describe this.

It’s getting more and more intense in the organization. Still it’s good to keep yourself busy with productive things. Actually not only productive but this is learning as well. I mean it keeps me motivated. It’s a psychological way of how brain is functioning.

We need closure in order to feel satisfied. So if you open particular subject for yourself you need to understand it, otherwise you’ll start to feel anxious by the time.  

November 9

Participation in filming for the EU event was a bit of a disappointment. Not in the context about the filming but more about the conference itself.  The first time of working the full equipment was intriguing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqpYdtNhXR_/

November 11

The place with an elevation of 1000m! We spent our Saturday evening in mountain hut near Škofja Loka. Small cozy place. I was cooking dinner and also learning how to make proper mulled wine.  Enjoying the peace.

Morning view! It was something so pure! Fresh air and black coffee on the edge of a balcony. Swinging my legs over the handrail, which was wide enough to sit on properly.

Afterwards visiting lake Bled and then slowly heading home. But darkness at 5 p. m. is a pity, I have to say.

November 19

They warned me about the low point after excitement is gone. I reached it. So now I just want to spent quality time in not so crowded places. I went for a hike the other day after work. Suddenly it started to snow! First snow! Couldn’t even express my excitement. It kind of kept everything in balance that day.

So when it hits the bottom just keep yourself together and treat yourself the way you would treat someone in your position. It’s sometimes harder to see the solution for your own problems. The way out is to look from aside and keep your mind cool. 

November 24

I have started to take photography a bit more seriously. First time shooting long exposures. After our last session with photography mentor I have carried this interest inside me. So finally giving it a life.

I still need to practice.

November 26

Again escaping the city. This time I’m more of an calm observer. I’m slowly getting my inner tourist out of my system.

Lake Bohinj was breathtaking! Triglav National Park in all it’s majesty. It was foggy that day, but honestly it just made these views better. Trees covered in a blanket of fog kept me warm all the way. With just a little bit of help from hot coffee hidden in my thermos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqpY3vChlgc/

 

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Post 2

Hi, again! I’m back with the question to you, guys: How did you spend your month? And while you’re thinking about the answer, I gonna share with you how it was for ESC (European Solidarity Corps) volunteer – for me.

The second week started with “meeting face to face” the professional filming camera and all additional equipment to it. Along with it, we met our mentor, very positive guy who makes cartoons, and he made for us a small introduction. What is my impression, you will ask? Well…It’s hard to imagine that you’re holding in your hands something that is an essential part for creating films, people are watching all over the world. So, l was very excited about all this and cannot wait learning more.

The other memorable activity along this time, was the festival of backpack journalism, called “BIVAK”, in organization of which we took part. We were talking  and making decorations… And, you know, I realized that l really enjoy that feeling, when you need to use your imagination in order to create something interesting and memorable for people.

The “BIVAK” has its own spirit of freedom, that can belong only to backpack traveling and it’s a very good idea to share this special experience with people and “invite” them to try it at least once in their lives.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqE3Q77BhME/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet

Moreover, we had a walk outside the city with our coordinator. We were in the area where Ljubljanica river begins. Than we had a lunch in cozy cafe on the top of the hill with view on mountains on one side and foggy forest on another. We were also visiting Dimnice jama – amazing, 100m deep cave, with the river, streaming along its bottom. Our guide told us a lot of historical facts, touching this place. He was telling the stories with such passion in his voice that you can’t help but admire this place. In the end of the excursion he gave each of us a little farewell present – a cave pearl.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqE6V8mh7d5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

But the jewel in the crown of my adventures was on-arrival training for volunteers from all over the country. I can’t express in words how happy I was to be there. This atmosphere of the summer camp, took me back in time to my childhood. But it was double cool because all of us are from different countries. So it was awesome time of experience exchanging, blended with having fun.  The accommodation was also in high level, ooh….and the view… the hotel located in the town, called Ankaran, on the Adriatic coast, near the border with Italy. So the nature of this place is a mix of olive trees plantation, vineyards, green hills and seacoast.  Can you imagine this beauty? …. Actually, you don’t have to, I took some pictures for you.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqE9S7kht8F/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet

This is all for now, but I hope my #sloveniamoments will be continued.

Thanks to those, who read it till the end.

Maryna Polovko

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First month

Oktober 1

Finally arrived to Slovenia. After traveling for 6h from Riga I’m here. Just an hour later moving into my new home, appartment with quite few flatmates. Students from Serbia and co-volunteer Maryna.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BphCfkxgRq0/

Oktober 9

This is not a job, nor studies. This is non-formal education. Setting up your own working space and adjusting the temp and competences to your personal goals and initiatives. It’s the perfect environment for self development and skills to grow. We are learning not so much about about the place and organization as about ourselves.

Could it be any better? You’re thrown into another country with an opportunity to learn how to learn.

Oktober 14

Second week is almost done. I’m used to this place. I can start to call it home.

Also participating in a small festival by the beginning of the project is giving experience. It opens up your creative side and keep you up to date.

Today I took my lunch which I’ve prepared in the previous evening, took my cameras and made some fruit water. I’m set to go. 7am and we are hitting the road from Ljubljana to Tolmin.

The place is amazng! Mountains on every direction, fresh air and it feels like you’re on the top of the world.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BphDTOYAASn/

Oktober 21

Yesterday was the first time of going out. Of course we went to Metelkova, is there other places? Impression was 6 out of 10. Not a lot of people. Though I did met some familiar faces and did engage in conversations with strangers, wihch put me out of my comfort zone a bit. So mission completed, I guess.

Next morning I finally pushed myself into doing exercise and it felt so good. It’s the middle of autumn, but I can still go running in outfit as it would be summer. (I hate running, but again – putting yourself out of your comfort zone can help you).

Oktober 27

Just spend the most amazing week by the Adriatic sea during on-arrival training for my volunteering year. Met some interesting people with whom I have already started to cooperate in one personal project. It will be a promo video for all our sceptical relatives and friends who does not believe that volunteering is someting useful.

For now it’s in the process, but with the time it should turn into something remarkable.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BphD4d5AlSd/

Oktober 29

The fifth week has begun. Seems like it’s been only a week here. Starting to realize my goals.

This is the environment for growth. Dare to open up,  to talk and to share your ideas. It’s important that you engage with other in similar situations because by talking and sharing you can find the right path or answer for you.

Sometimes it takes a lot of courage but it can give a lot more in return.

Also hitchhiking to Trieste, Italy in one afternoon just to eat a gelato is something you CAN DO.

If you want then you can achieve
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Post 1

 

Hi to everyone, who is reading this now!

My name is Maryna and l am going to tell you my story. Let’s title it like that: “First time”.

So, ones upon a time… no,no,no…that is too much, probably. Ok, l will start it like this:

Sooner or later it comes that time when you realize that you have to leave your comfort zone in order to find out what you are and who you are, to find out what you’re capable of, and – how trivially it wouldn’t sound – to find your destination. For me these times came when l have decided to apply for Erasmus+ project called “Multimedia Ninjas”.

And it brought to me a lot of “first times”: first flight;  first time abroad; first time as EVS volunteer; first time living without closest people for so long period of time (12 month); first time in foreign society, surrounded by people who don’t understand your mother tongue language at all.

And l can definitely call it a challenge to myself.

And you know what?! I have no regrets!

We all afraid of new beginnings but what really should terrify us – is unused possibilities and unrealized goals and dreams. l cannot define myself as person of big courage, l just realized that l need to do that first step to be happy.

 

If you don’t believe me, there are photo proofs why I have no regrets!

        

Instagram

Maryna Polovko

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