FSL India Blog

Looking back to your expectations and goals, would you like to comment on your overall experience here?

I feel like I have fulfilled all of the expectations that I had before coming to India. I knew I wanted to know more about the Indian culture and I wanted to work with children who are in need. I enjoy a lot working with children because I know they are the future of a country, if the society is not investing in education, there will not be improvements on sciences, health discoveries to end epidemics and other issues. For me, education is the basis of society’s development and I was very happy I could help in some way to improve these children´s quality of life. If I know that the children were able to get more opportunities in their lives because of tent school then that would have been the greatest achievements of all, for me and for the project.

Claudia Yvonne Liñan Segura, Mexico

For me it was a wonderful time and I really enjoyed being in India not just as a tourist but as someone who works with the Indians.

Viktoria Kwasniok, Germany

Regarding Orphan Children teaching - it’s a wonderful project! Not very easy, but with all the more possibilities to put a lot of time into it and to gain a lot of experience.

Franz Koenig, Austria

It was a time to say good-bye to August and September 2010 batch Weltwärts participants. So the Final Evaluation program has been organized on 16th and 17th July 2011 to review the one year experience. During the evaluation, sessions were conducted on Learnings, Activities V/S Impact and Culture and preparation for Reverse Culture Shock. All together 35 people participated in this weekend seminar including 25 pax and 10 staffs. Overall we could see lot of changes in these pax, in their way of approach, increased patience, flexible lifestyle and so on. In appreciation the work all the pax were given with certificates, experience letter and a memento to keep the good memory of this volunteering program.

Looking back to your expectations and goals, would you like to comment on your overall experience here?

It has been a great experience and I have learned many things about another culture and my self.

Nanna Sand, Denmark, Seon Ashram, Belthangady
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 My goals before came here was learning yoga and Indian culture, after finish the project I had learn yoga philosophy and practice, I had live and learn Indian culture, I had learn Ayurveda philosophy, medicine and procedures. And also I had make new friends and visit new places.

Than you can guess how I feel about all this experience…

Thank you FSL…

Thank you India!

Luís Costa, Portugal, Special learning-Ayurveda, Sullia _____________________________________________________________________________

This trip wasn’t what i expected, but i made the best of it and will never forget it.

Mads Retoft, Denmark, Orbit, Humnabad

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I spend really excellent time In India. I am very happy do voluntary service with FSL. I very sad to leave project, hosting and Kundpura.

Shirley Elian, Israel, Manasa Jyothi, Japthi
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There is neither good nor bad experience - there is just experience.

EZSOEL Michael, Austria, Tent School, Kundapura

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Tips for future volunteers;

Be creative, be happy, be hungry, be keen to learn, be brave, be curious, be earnest, be awake, be clever, be weather-proof, be cool, be nice, be thirsty, be helpful, be tough, be yourself! - EZSOEL Mihael

Looking back to your expectations and goals, would you like to comment on your overall experience here?

I would say that I had a nice time here and that I learned how to deal with challenges. I got a very close look at the Indian culture – its good and bad sides. I made a lot of Indian friends with whom I could exchange a lot. The school showed me that I’m very interested in working with children. I could also show that there is a glimpse of creativity in me.

Birgit Raab, Austria, SWORD, Jamakhandi.

This has been a very enriching experience, I am really glad I did it. I hope the kids will end up okay and will go to school eventually.

Chady YOUNAN, France, Tent School, Saibarakatte.

As I don’t stay very long, my goal was pretty basic, such as make the children be happy of the lessons so that new kids come and that they learn at least the basis

KAEMMERLEN CINDY, France, Tent School, Saibarakatte.

I really enjoy my experience in India and in the project. I think I have succeed to bring something good to the children who are in the tent school which was my first aim when I decided to come in India to do this kind of project. I have discovered a new culture thanks to my host family, fsl india and all the people I have met.

MICHEL Jules, France, Tent School, Kundapura.

I have really enjoyed my experience in India. First I wanted to meet a lot of people and that is what happened. Then I think I have improved my English level and it was one of my goals to do this international experience.
And of course I have worked with lots of children. I think I have learned to be more patient and creative. Because when you work with children you always have to find new things to interest them. I have tried to create new games and I think I have contributed to improve the level of some children in my schools.

I am happy that I have discovered a new culture and I have really appreciated to discuss with tent people and my host family. It was nice to share the differences and to explain how it works in my country.

I had not a lot of expectations before going here so I cannot really comment on this I just wanted to discover something new and totally different from my country and I haven’t been disappointed. I just thought that the gap between my culture and the Indian culture would be huge but in fact I haven’t been shocked and it was a very nice experience.
Marie VERON, French , Tent school, Kundapur.

I have had a really great time in India and enjoyed being here. It has really been one of the best times in my life. I have learned a lot about life, myself and Indian culture.

Mathias Holm Guldberg, Denmark, Tent School, Kundapur.

I have learned a lot in India. We have to take example as the Indians because they are still very natural, they have very important values and I really think that they stayed real and true while people in Europe are forgetting these simple things.
Launay Lenaig, France, Spandana Rehabilitation, Udupi

Looking back to your expectations and goals, would you like to comment on your overall experience here?

It is impossible to imagine what will happen when you leave your home country. Despite of that I feel like my expectations are fulfilled. I became a part of the Indian culture, I came close to some very poor people and I saw the country from a non-touristic point of view.

Anne Sofie Høj Nielsen, Denmark, Tent School, Kundapur

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Wouldn’t want to miss the experience.

Henriet Koffrie, The Netherlands Relief Foundation, Koppala

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It have been a fantastic but challenging experience! Even though it has been hard, it is all worth it.

Karoline Westen Noer, Denmark, De Mercedes Orphanage, Mangalore

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As I formerlyexplained I couldn’t expect various facts and events, but I think that my reaction was good.

Andrea, Italy, Infant Jesus Orphanage, Bangalore

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My experience has been different respect what were my expectations, because I didn’t expect to teach, I didn’t expect to be in a catholic ambient, in a big city and with sick children. But these changes to my expectations had been not a problem, I felt good in this ambient and all the people we worked with had been really nice and good, FSL, the sisters and the children.

Anna Ciancio, Italian, Infant Jesus Orphanage, Bangalore

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I tried not to come with expectations and tried to be as open minded as possible which helped my throughout this whole experience.

Giuseppe Tomarchio, Italian, Paraspara Trust Transit Home, Bangalore

Looking back to your expectations and goals, would you like to comment on your overall experience here?

My biggest fear was others expectations on me. When I slowly by slowly realized that everything was up to my self I could relax more. And after some time that feeling disappeared.

I really didn’t have to high goals or expectations on the stay here. Maybe more about the people, the landscape, the culture…. the food etc. just thoughts and imaginations… I was more scared about that I wouldn’t be able to handle the hole thing… and as I wrote, others thoughts about me and the job I do. But… when I realized how it is here, and took one step at the time, getting to know the people, the project, the family and the other volunteers, when I found my role I just started to love it all.. It does take some time before you get the hang of everything, and get used to Indian lifestyle but when you do you don’t feel like leaving….

-Anna Sofia Piringer, Sweden, Tent School Kundapur

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It s better than my expectations because :

The place of Kundapura is very nice, I travelled, I improved my English, I exchanged with others volunteers from others countries, There were no French volunteer with me, I didn’t want to feel myself like Mother Theresa but just doing something useful, I worked with children, I was welcomed in a host family

I am fond of Indian food now!

-Quere Katell, French, Environment Education, Kundapur

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Did not had much expectations before I came to India. Only that I wanted to do my volunteer work very well. I was really exited if I could handle the children and if I have all the tools to teach them English. Looking back I had a wonderful time during the orientation week with all the volunteers and the people from FSL, my stay in my host family and with all the children in my project. What a great experience!

-Lucy Tjiong, The Netherlands, Nisarga child labour School, HD Kote.

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My goals changed pretty quickly when I came here . I saw that what these children’s really need is not new fancy toyes and such things they have a lot of practical things what they need is someone who hugs them when their sad, play with them and love them and show it . I hope I have succeeded

-Sofia Noren, Sweden, Little flower school, Karkala.

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The experience has been very positive, my studies and, even if is not always simple, it was beautiful to meet the children and build with them a good relationship.

-Brandolese Gaia, Italy, Baptist Welfare Society, Gangavathi.

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My experience was different than I expected but I think I had a positive impact on my project and the Indian people and definitely a great overall experience here.

-Johanna Hoefler, Germany, Arunodaya Poirada, Hospete

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Looking back to your expectations and goals, would you like to comment on your overall experience here?

-My project was pretty much as I expected it which is good. I didn’t expect to meet so many other volunteers which has been really nice! Also, I expected to learn more Kannada but i guess that is my own fault

The overall experience has been really good and i have learned a lot about India and myself.

Christian, Govt School, Hosadu

-Before project I had many expectations like a can I teach something to children?

Beginning was hard teach to them. I didn’t know how to teach . But later I got used to do it,  teaching English or Numbers.

Naoki, Tent School, Kundapur

-For result, this experience was not along my expectations and goals. But I got really special and precious time and friends.

Sachiko, Poirada, Hospete

-It was a great experience and worth it! Would definitely do it again!

Jonas, Eco Tourism, Kundapur

-It was great!

Lena, Govt School, Brahmavar

Looking back to your expectations and goals, would you like to comment on your overall experience here?

• Great experience with some bad memories but with a lot of good memories

• All in all, I can say, that I never thought,that I can learn so much for my life in such a short time. I did not really had expectations, so it wasn’t that hard for me. I was such a great time and really don’t want to miss it.

• It was a great experience and worth it! Would do definitely do it again!

• In my LTV time I experienced of course a lot, too much to list here. But in sum I love that I took this opportunity and came to India for such a long time and in this project. I will never forget my life here, I will come back to India, to Kundapur and of course to Trasi.

Volunteer’s final impressions about the overall experience….

Looking back to your expectations and goals, would you like to comment on your overall experience here ???

*I wanted to contribute to teach English to the children and provide them an opportunity to have an individual education, and I really admire them because there are very enthusiastic kids and also very intelligent.

*It was a really great and good experience in general I learned more from the kids then they from me I really admire how mature they are and how they can handle their life.

*I just enjoyed my experience, I wanted to discover a different way of life and give my help to the children in trouble and find it was a great success for me.

*It was an amazing project I got more then I expected.

*Everything was great in the general experience at India.

*Through the Job I made here I wanted to learn more about my self and I guess I succeed, than to my experience at my project.