Yenny

Oostenrijk

Yenny

11 maanden in Oostenrijk

Mijn verhaal:

I did volunteering at a Montessori school in Saalfelden,  Austria. Most of the time I was supporting the teacher of Primary 1, I helped the children in  whatever they needed, I was also supporting the children in “Werkstätten” in clay, wood,  sewing, art, crafts, candle making, etc. At the beginning I accompanied the children to their  gymnastics classes, but because of covid we could no longer attend, I also participated with  them in the excursions, walking, or biking, or by bus, always being aware that they do not get  hurt or helping them in what they need. I gave classes about geology, about Colombia, about  art, and about Spanish. I tried to participate in the school newspaper with some specific and  interesting topics, mostly teaching Spanish. I also helped in administrative processes, such as  printing school material, cutting, laminating and packaging.

Something I have learned from life is  that it puts everything in your way, first I went from Colombia to the Netherlands as an au pair,  which was also a very nice and enriching process, in which I learned and met many things, then  fate brought me to Austria and since I arrived something in my heart told me that I was going  to stay here to live the rest of my life and so things have happened. I fell in love with this  country, and currently I’m living in Salzburg! The volunteering and the new experience to come  has taught me a lot, especially independence, willingness to work hard and get ahead, improving  the language, giving all of myself in the things I do. I have grown personally, professionally,  and spiritually. Austria is like the country of my destiny, which has been waiting for me for a long  time. Besides that I found by fate the love of my life and we got married!  

I have learned a lot about Montessori education, my German has improved a lot, I can now  understand the people and communicate with them, which was a bit difficult for me at the  beginning.

The farewell they gave me at  school, and the end of the school festival, made me feel that I was, am and will be forever welcome;  In this last one I did the exhibition of my art gallery, since I love painting, I sold a lot! I was so  happy!

Enjoy your volunteering, go out, meet new people, make friends, travel, interact, but above all try to give the best of yourself and work hard

Hoe was je woonsituatie?

I feel very well, after finishing my year as a volunteer, I married the love of my life, now I live in Salzburg and I am very happy! I am still improving my German and I am slowly getting used to my new life.

Hoe was het contact met de andere vrijwilligers?

Because of covid issues, all the meetings were online, I did not have much contact with the other volunteers, only a few times when I came to visit Salzburg I met some of them.

Hoe kijk je terug op de trainingen waar je aan deelnam?

I liked it even though it was online, I met several people with whom I continue to chat. Also the information was very useful at the beginning.

Waar moest je het meest aan wennen in het land waar je vrijwilligerswerk deed?

The language

Hoe was je contact met Eastpackers?

Very well, they were very attentive to my process.

Welk advies zou je toekomstige ESC'ers willen meegeven?

Enjoy your volunteering, go out, meet new people, make friends, travel, interact, but above all try to give the best of yourself and work hard. It is important to leave a place with its doors always open.