It’s a Double V! Volunteers on Vacation – Leimalem Konsam, Outbound Participant, Germany

It’s a Double V! Volunteers on Vacation – Leimalem Konsam, Outbound Participant, Germany

Ever thought or had the urge to contribute something good to the society that addresses or effects an issue directly with your help? What about traveling to a different country discovering, exploring, meeting new people, scratching off must-do’s from your bucket list, volunteer and be a part of a social project that contributes to a global good? Or maybe do all of the above with almost all your expenses paid for. That sounds like a good treat!

(At the Reichstag building in my first month in Germany)

Well indeed, I would say it is a good treat because I am getting to do all of the above and much more under Internationale Jugendgemeinschaftsdienste (IJGD)- Freiwilligendienste in der ganzen Welt  and my sending organization FSL-India (Field Services & inter-cultural Learning-India). With their support, I have a clearer direction. (Please do not be solely motivated by the part where I mentioned about the expenses being taken care of, as it also demands your input to  many challenges, you must possess and deliver the requirements, not easy, yet not very difficult).

(During the Seminar, in our first week in Berlin)

Here I am today, writing this blog sitting in my room in Berlin, in Berlin! Trying to share my experiences and journey as a volunteer in this country. To begin with, it all started with a little motive, eagerness, curiosity to learn and willingness to help for a social cause back in India. And this program showed up at my doorstep, at the right time. The next thing I knew, I was boarding Lufthansa. More than 30 volunteers arrived in Berlin in September 2018, excited yet slightly afraid of what was ahead of us. Few of the volunteers didn’t speak good English or no English at all. We had a little bit of a language barrier within the volunteer group itself before we started out venturing in the city to face the actual ‘Deutsche language’.

Nevertheless, the language did not stop us from creating a beautiful circle among us. From Day 1, the opportunities and experiences have been irreplaceable. And, of course, it came with challenges, but the exposure definitely gave us enough room for us to grow as individuals through the volunteering service, or without it. A little sense of responsibility, optimism, awareness, commitment and patience are a few good tips to stick by to stay grounded during this journey, and the rest is up to the individual whether or not to reap benefits out of it.

(After taking a stroll through the forest in Schlachtensee, sat down to enjoy the colors of autumn beside the lake till sunset)

All of the volunteers have different work settings ranging from kindergartens, schools, homes for the old aged, disabled people or in other creative settings. When the project commenced, most of us faced difficulties in fitting in the lifestyle, language, or the day-to -day routine and in a few cases, some issues that required to be dealt with seriously. But these things are expected to arise when you travel to a new country altogether. I would say we are able to deal with circumstances and live comfortably by visiting a country or two, like the Czech Republic or more, here in the EU! Even though all of us have hectic schedules otherwise. So what about a little hectic schedule when you can plan a trip in some amazing European country? It really is just around the corner!

And ja, naturlich the German punctuality is something that we should watch out for! Well, in my case it has affected me both positively and negatively. The language is also a big challenge and a solution to many things if you can master it, so I am currently learning it. I am volunteering in a school in Sonnenalle, Berlin. I assist in English classes, sports and creative areas like drawing, dancing and sometimes simple Yoga! The kids love to dance more than anything, though.

It is also very interesting to observe how the exchange of knowledge, help and culture coexist in this whole process, even with really small kids. I am supposed to be the one to deliver, but in contrast to that I must say I also receive a lot of help from my colleagues and surprisingly, many small kids that I cannot even communicate with because of the language barrier, but they understand me, which motivates them to make an effort to transform into a more sympathetic and empathetic individual. So I always find that there is room to observe and learn new things, always.  I learn German with the kids every day, we play a word card game and they explain to me, or at least, they try. This is just one of the examples. And in return, I also try to deliver the best I can. These occurrences though may be small to notice at times, help me immensely to reflect on the very purpose of this project and what it really stands for.

(Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, designed by architect Peter Weismann and BuroHappold Engineering)

Anyways it’s winter here, and for an Indian, it’s already very dark, cold, wet and grey. But they say, the real winter is yet to arrive. Let’s see what the real winter has to offer because I immensely enjoyed the colors of autumn, and fell in love with it. How the transformation was so evident all around us, in nature. I have done things I always wanted to do like a stroll through the forest alone, and do photography. It’s beautiful.  I also came to an understanding with myself that I finally understood the real essence of European literature which I studied back in college in context with the idea of cold, weary, melancholic nights. It’s funny how you can’t escape or can’t be unseen when you are in it!

(This is one of the self-experimental photographs I did during one of my strolls through the forest)

There is still lot left to learn, more people to meet, places to travel, things to unfold, discover, explore, create more beautiful memories and so on..  This is just a brief idea of my experiences in the past 4 months.  Until next time, let’s continue to volunteer and vacay! Thank you, FSL-India for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

(From one of my visits to the Czech Republic)

 

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