Super WOW On arrival EVS training Umuri November 2013

After one month since we heard an exciting story of Pilar about how amazing it was to be on the On arrival EVS training, the time has finally come for me and Giorgi to go to our On arrival EVS training, too. And we were certainly not the only EVS volunteers from Rezekne going. Joel, Carmen and Aliona were coming as well. Unforgettable memories guaranteed!

Out training took place from 22nd-26th of November in guest house Umuri close to Kegums appx. one hour drive from Latvia, on the bank of river Daugava. A total of 10 EVS volunteers from 8 countries (Slovakia, France, Portugal, Georgia, Spain, Germany, Armenia and Moldavia), 8 mentors and 2 trainers Santa and Valters gathered up to spend next 3-5 days cut off the outside world with only one purpose- to learn , discuss and discover as much about EVS as possible.

The whole five days training was very complex, covering areas starting with fears and expectations from EVS and On arrival training through rights and responsibilities of the concerned parties, the relationship mentor-volunteer, Youth Pass details to different ways how to challenge yourself more, various teambuilding techniques, sharing best practises among volunteers and learning more about latvian culture, all this in a very informal and interactive way.

Prokop: For me personally the most exciting part of the training (apart from the sauna evening) was finding out all the possibilities of the mentor-volunteer relationship and a detailed session on Youth Pass. Also the part about how to challenge myself more was a very interesting and if I did not previously value the importance of planning ahead, after this training it became one of my overall priorities, in order to get the most out of the whole EVS experience.

Giorgi: for me very interesting this training because i know new activity energizer and new friends.
i learned relations mentor-volunteers. one word this traning very well. super wow.

As if the content of the meeting was not already awesome enough, the surroundings and the hospitality (and FOOD! OH MY GOD!!!) made this probably the number one experience of my EVS so far. And now I am hungry for more =.)