Skip to main content

On Arrival Training

The European Solidarity Corps also includes an On Arrival Training, which is organized by the National Agency. The aim of the training is to receive information and tools that are useful for the volunteer service abroad, e. g. communication, rights and responsibilities, conflict resolution, goal setting and learning to learn, but also background knowledge about Italian culture and team building between participants.  

 

My On Arrival Training took place in Morlupo, Rome. After 3 months, I am no longer at the beginning of my volunteer service (rather halfway), but I still learned a lot of new things in those 5 days. About my experiences so far and about my possibilities for the future. Strategies to channel my plans and make them happen. Online tools for mindmapping, teamworking, etc. I was able to visit Rome (at temperatures of 38° C 😵) and see a wonderful Italian movie ("Quo vado" - absolutely recommended).

But best of all, I met many wonderful people. Do-gooders, seekers, idealists, adventurers, dropouts, .... . Different in our motivations, backgrounds, experiences and projects, spread all over Italy and yet like-minded. Teambuilding and get-to-know-you games (yes, they really work!) broke the initial ice and brought us a bit closer. Small parties and conversations deep into the night eventually developed into friendships. We exchanged our experiences and expectations and got to know each other and ourselves better.

 

Once again I am grateful for the opportunities offered by the European Solidarity Corps. The On Arrival Training was almost like the volunteer project itself: in a short time I met many wonderful people, heard many stories that make me think and got many impressions that shape me. And therefore, I would like to conclude here with the wise words of Team Honolulu:

 

It´s not an issue, it´s a challenge
It´s not a mistake, it´s a lesson
It´s not about the goal, it´s about the journey
We are not late, we are in Italian time

😘

 
 
 
 


 



 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

May 2024 highlights

🌟 Reflecting on May 🌟 After a great start in April and returning from a long trip to Naples and Rome we decided to enjoy a more relaxed side of Jesi. Here are some of the things we did in May.  On Arrival training May started with a 5 days training in Rome. This training was organized by the Italian National Agency. During this training, we shared our volunteering experiences with others from all over Europe who are currently doing their volunteering experiences in Italy. We learned about our duties and rights as volunteers. As well as other opportunities after this experience.  Exploring Rome Exploring Rome is a captivating journey through history, culture, and cuisine. As Italy's capital and one of the most historically rich cities in the world. Our first point of the trip was Colosseum meaning one of the most iconic structures in the world, the Colosseum is an ancient amphitheater that once hosted gladiatorial games and public spectacles. The next stop was Roman Forum. Th...

Volunteer Oct24, Río's first blog. Life before Jesi

Ciao, Hola and Hi! I’m Río Rojas Mayorga, one of the two volunteers here at Caritas Jesi in October 2024. I’m from Madrid, Spain, and in this first blog, I will share my life before volunteering and how I discovered the ESC. The next one should be about my life here. I would like to start by providing some context about how I got to know the ESC by talking about my life in Majadahonda, Madrid. After the quarantine, my family and I moved from Aluche (in south-central Madrid) to Majadahonda (on the western outskirts) due to financial struggles, which was a significant change for us. The first year felt lonely for my sister and me. During that time, I began studying in the afternoons at the youth centre near my home, where I searched about local volunteering opportunities and eventually discovered international volunteering. However, I was still under 18 and thought I had to prioritise my formal studies. Then, in November 2022, I met someone who transformed my life; it all began with a si...

Volunteer Oct24. 3 months so far!

Ciao, Hola and Hi!  I’m Río Rojas Mayorga and it's been 3 months since I'm an ESC volunteer here in Caritas Jesina. Let me update you briefly about my experience! The arrival and first week in Caritas was a mix of emotions between the excitement to start and the confusion of all the new people and information we were bombarded with. At first we didn't have a schedule and it was a little bit messy but, I'm glad I shared so much time with my project partner; it was nice having someone in the same situation. First month Once the schedule was set, we had to adjust not only to the work but also to the people we shared the time with. As all the services are done with local people, at first it was difficult the communication as I had no words in Italian, but I was gladly surprised to find out my will of talking and sharing was lovely appreciated and corresponded, I found out the language barrier was a challenge but i wasn’t fighting it alone.  My birthday arrived eventually an...