Testimonio Stoycho Atanasov | 25 años

My decision to take part in such a big opportunity came from my experience with Youth Exchanges in the past years. I want to explore new type of culture, different type of people and mostly myself more than before.

 

How did you learn about  this opportunity? Did you know about other projects? 

 

Yes, I have been taking part in many other projects from the European Union, mostly Youth Exchanges, which are shorter duration. On all of them the trainers and the mentors were recommending the EVS and the opportunity we can have from it.

 

 

Because I am aware that these projects are safe, exciting and useful for one’s development in different areas. 

 

 

Well my project is really flexible, at the beginning I was giving English lessons to Spanish students which are attending Internship in other countries, so it was full of traveling in smaller cities surrounding Zaragoza, and providing lessons in the schools of these students. At the final month of the English lessons, my project moved to Youth Centres for teenagers in Zaragoza. My part in the centres was to observe the youths, to entertain them with different activities and provide them friendly support. During the beginning of the summer I changed my service to assisting coordinators of Mundus with Bulgarian groups, coming to do their internship in Zaragoza. In general, I am filled with activities, fun and exciting journeys.

 

 

Teaching English and assisting with groups. 

 

 

Volunteer in Association Mundus.

 

 

I don’t set big expectations for things I go for, until I don’t get to the place and start with it. I had a small expectations that all of my tasks will be organized and I will have a great time. 

 

 

My project started October 2018, that is 10 months by this moment, I had my upsides and downsides during this time, but I would like to say I am satisfied with all of it. My expectations could be easily reached, though my goals are still unfulfilled. 

 

 

At the beginning was a big mist for me, also for my coordinator/mentor. But now I feel like it is all settled and well structured. 

 

 

I am working with kids, minorities, group of people in the social field, people with mental problems, people with social problems. I can say that all of them are unique and great in their own way, with my presence I want to teach them to respect and appreciate their own abilities. My values are to show them, does not matter who you are and from where you are coming from, you are special! I am working on making a small projects filled with activities outdoor and indoor.

 

 

Well to be honest, yes, I feel I am part of processes happening with me and around me. I happy to be able to see them and get the best out of it.

 

 

Exchanging knowledge and experience.

 

 

Mostly I believe the Youth Centres, the youths going in those centres, my organization and myself!

 

 

Yes, my perspective has improved, my views and manners has changed and growth. This experience encouraged me to keep believing that positive changes are still a thing, they can happen and I want to keep working in this area in the future, in my home country, home city or even abroad.

 

 

The only thing I would like to change is myself and I really wished to have a better mentor/coordinator, I don’t want to sound like I didn’t enjoy or like my mentor/coordinator, but I believe it could be better!

 

 

Yes, I have plenty of new ideas to suggest, to write and describe, unfortunately my workplace has done their own projects already and it is hard to fit in their timescale.

 

 

On-arrival training, Mid-term evaluation and the whole project in general!

 

 

Yes, it changed me on a completely different level, I can see that by myself and I am extremely happy about the results.

 

The main impact is that I have learned to appreciate the difference of the cultures, not only my own and the hosting country, but all the cultures I encounter during the project. It helped me grow on a spiritual and personal level. This impacted me in so many splendid ways that it is hard to explain and share about them. I am happy I have learned how to improve myself in different and dynamic situations, I have improved my teaching skills, and most importantly I have learned to appreciate myself!

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