First month as a volunteer in Greece, in Thessaloniki
ARSIS_EVS, Saadia Rahoui
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
During this first month, I met the population and discovered Greek culture. I had the opportunity to travel around the country and learn the local language through weekly classes. This brings me a new perspective on the current situation in Greece on a daily basis.
I participated in a seminar on social circus “as tool for transformation and integration”. It was a very interesting project for psychology students and also for me. The aim of the project is to consider the circus with a pedagogical approach to be applied in different situations of exclusion and marginalized populations. After teaching us the basics of the circus, we were able to experience it ourselves, and we had a great time!
At the same time, I participated in “ARSIS VOT” a program for the victims of torture. I accompanied French-speaking people, translated their medical exams and supported them in the hospital . I like the fact that I can be part of different things and make myself useful in different ways!
Thessaloniki is a city full of resources, between typical tavernas, markets, and beautiful places. There is also the tandem that allows students and other young people to meet on Wednesday evenings exchanging ideas about different intercultural themes. I met some great people during these evenings. There are always workshops, documentaries, events and places to discover so it’s great!
Moreover, I had the opportunity to attend the presentation of the project “youth led street sport for all”, at the playmaker camp which aims to increase participation in sport among young people and thus promote voluntary activities. I also had the chance to go to the project ‘To Spiti ths Arsis’ (in a village in the mountains) to visit the Easter bazar, intended to collect money for children whose families are in difficulty.
The only thing that’s a little negative, it is sometimes a little hard for me not to be able to understand the Greek conversations around me, but I love living in this international environment, and I have really improved in English by practicing every day. In addition, I take Greek lessons in various associations in order to be able to understand and speak more easily with the young people of the centre.
I think it’s a perfect experience for that: going alone without really being alone on the spot. This is exactly how I saw voluntarism: a commitment, a multi functionality, an interaction with the Greek community.
And I feel that this is only the beginning… in May, I will learn even more. I hope now that summer is coming …
European Volunteer at the ARSIS Youth Support Center