We are on Euronews!

There is an event which happened back in March and it is worth to mention here. We, Egyesek volunteers, appeared on Euronews program Generation Y. It was 2 full days of shooting for a 5-minute video. Actually, a friend of mine saw it on TV drinking her morning coffee and told me to check it out. It is funny to see the final result and remember the interviews and the logistics behind it. 

Here is Vivien's volunteering story that we filmed in an orphanage Turning Point.

Inspired by media

May 19-25^th Egyesek hosted Reactor conference and workshops on social and audio-visual media in youth work with disadvantaged groups. It was a closing event of VIVO project which lasted for a year and a half. I assisted in communication with participants, registration and guiding during the field study.

I have been afraid of a technical part of media and I thought that it is simply not my thing. I am not using Smartphone, I do not know how to edit movies or use Photoshop. Most often I take a piece of paper to take down the notes instead of using an electronic device. Moreover, I am not following the newest technology trends. However, the fact that media is a tool for visual arts, delivering the message and involving crowds always admired me.  For the sake of curiosity I joined Reactor plenary lectures and workshops. I should admit that I found new things for myself. I hooked on media topics and I got some ideas how it is applied in youth work. I learned about useful media tools like Pintrest, Piratepad and how to use Twitter. In a workshop about Twitter I heard a story about John Wray, a writer who writes fiction on Twitter. Following this example we had to create a 10-tweet story in a workshop. I found it as a great idea because I could have written my volunteering experience on Twitter rather than traditional blogging. Living in Budapest so many small things happen unexpectedly and short real time messages could have been the best to express spontaneity in EVS. I was inspired by Twitter story example. It gave me new understanding how big the range is to use social networks. It is all about looking for new forms of expression. The newest media tools can inspire to improvise and do things differently or simply easier.

The highlight of the conference to me was the session about youth work and social media led by Ludo Keizer, Dutch inspirational speaker. His street style language was very convincing and triggering questions in my head. He pointed out what has change and what to expect in youth work in upcoming years. I was convinced that cloud technologies make communication easier. It is not necessary any more to sit in the office and reply emails. The physical office is not necessary any more. It is possible to do ordinary office tasks in a park or a bus stop. Crowd sourcing is an innovative way to raise funds and become independent from governmental allowances. Cloud technologies and crowd sourcing made me think about different ways of organizing things and running companies. It also triggered some ideas that I could actually implement them in my activities. Also, I stared to read the book 'Pirate's Dilema' which suggest not to fight technology but learn to live with it. 

Fashion show "Twiggy's Kiss"

My spring in Hungary started with a fashion show “Twiggy’s Kiss”. On March 2^nd 600 people gathered to a VAM design centre in Budapest, which is famous for hosting cultural and art events. All those people came to watch and support the students of Fashion and Design specialization of Forrai Bilingual School.  The beauty of the place itself was promising a pleasant surprise for a Friday evening.

The fashion-show “Twiggy’s kiss” was inspired by the feeling of 60’s and each student had to prepare 3 costumes within a theme black&white, tone in tone and rock. In total there were around 60 young designers who presented their art.

It was the first time that the students got to present their collections in such a fancy place. When I entered the building I was positively shocked. The atmosphere took my breath away because there where tons of photographers, glass podium and flashlights around. Then I went upstairs towards the changing rooms to meet the students. I could not recognize most of them. The models were trying the costumes on, the make-up artists were working, and the photographers trying to make the best shots.

 The show lasted for more then 3 hours but my favourite part remained the preparation in the changing rooms where I could feel a sweet tension while the models were waiting for their turn to step on the stage. All in all, the event was successful and, actually, it even exceeded my expectations. I was pretty critical, because from my point of view, the organization process before was too chaotic. I had to help the students to create the title, to choose communication tools and invite the journalists, compose the invitations for the guests, make the poster and stage decorations. However, it was very hard to make a contact with the students and I mostly communicated with a teacher. So, I contributed to the event by promoting it and inviting guests. I invited some EVS’ers and some students from Karinthy fine arts club. Also, 50 Dutch exchange students from Karinthy joined to watch the show and I hardly could get the tickets for them.  Being in the audience I noticed that some of the models lacked of energy and self-expression.

Looking back, I think I should have helped the students to work on the actual presentation of their collections, which includes music, movements and face expressions. A nice costume is just half of the work. The other half is to tell the story with it. 

Perfect Saturday in January

I and my volunteer friends went hiking to Budaörs hill which is in Budapest metropolitan area.  It is the end of January but the day was so sunny, cloudless and a bit chilly.

The peak of the hill is magic. You can see a wonderful panorama with red roof houses. The stone with a cross and a little church beside it gives an impression that here pagon and Christian cultures merge together. That was a perfect Saturday. Getting up early, climbing the hill and being overwhelmed by many positive feelings of peace, eternity and happiness.

Take the challenge! EVS’ers are in the house

The first weeks we visited and introduced ourselves to the schools where we will create voluntary activities for students and in the framework of non-formal education. They are Berzsenyi Daniel Gimnázium, Karinthy Frigyes Gimnázium and Forrai Magániskola.  

The first task we got from Berzsenyi was to organize the event for the school and introduce ourselves.  It seemed to be a challenging task. However, after brainstorming in the tea house, selecting the pictures and preparing the slides we were ready to present the quiz show. The event was interactive and fun, even though we expected more students to show up. The students managed to answer even the most difficult questions  and draw Lithuanian, Dutch and French flags correctly. We were happy with the result and I enjoyed the teamwork. In the following weeks we presented the quiz in English classes in Forrai. 

My way to EVS

I knew about EVS program for a long time since I was involved in many youth activities. But I did not know if I ever choose to go for EVS myself. Luckily, the perfect time came. I had a job in a call center which I wanted to quit and I graduated from university. After a year full of ‘MUST DO’ such as combining studies with part-time job, internship and thesis, I needed a gap year to understand my professional career aspirations and awaken my creativity.

EVS is a suitable program for me because I have been volunteering most of my life and I do not think to stop. I am in love with volunteering because it has individual and societal benefits. Seneca told that if you want to live for yourself, live for others. This statement defines my philosophy of life. Volunteering raises awareness of who I am and what my capabilities are and in more broad sense it promotes active citizenship, and brings people together. Volunteering is a way of living and it spices up my ordinary days and makes them special. Volunteering is about caring and being proactive which makes my life meaningful.

EVS is a life time opportunity which will involve me in a different society where I can create something significant for people and be proud of it. 
Why Hungary? Firstly, I was attracted by Egyesek Youth Association. My goal is to use all my professional and non–formal skills and experiences, and to implement a project which would have an impact for people. I appreciate that Egyesek welcomes volunteers to propose their own initiatives because it is exactly what I have been looking for. Also, I admire Synergy personal development courses. I participated in Synergy personal development courses in 2008 and it had a significant impact in my life. They provided me with tools how to set up and achieve my goals and I would like to learn more about their methods. Finally, Hungary is a country with its strong cultural identity which I wish to explore. I have never lived in a big European city. Budapest is a city full of European spirit and character which I want to feel.