Here are some of the concerns I had going into my actual placement (as important or stupid as they might be).
*At orientation some of the past Slovakia volunteers told me of the locals’ expectations of them to find their place in the kitchen preparing food. They also told me stories about how some of their favorite memories were of cooking American food for their host families, or learning how to make traditional Slovak dishes. Well, those who know me best can imagine my reaction to this. I absolutely hate to cook/prepare food. I wish it were only this, because if it were just my dislike for cooking that was the problem, I could suck it up and deal with it. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to cook anything either (probably because I’ve been too stubborn and had no interest in learning), so this may be a problem. We’ll see what happens!
*Some of the volunteers told me about local trips they were invited on at their placement, specifically hiking/skiing trips. Again, those who know me best could imagine my reaction to this too…I’m terribly clumsy and uncoordinated, and am scared to try skiing again. I tried it once, and I think it’s better for my own safety (and more importantly, everyone surrounding me) if I don’t attempt it again. Again, we’ll have to see what happens with this.
*Ok, more important concerns. I’m afraid I will be so wrapped up in attempting to learn the language, that Slovak will become my main concern instead of the people I’m with. And the language itself is intimidating. I’m afraid of those days where I’ll be homesick, and wonder if I made the right decision by doing this program (and even more afraid that on those tough days, I won’t be able to remember that it wasn’t my decision and that I’m in the right place because God put me here).
Alright, enough of that. The things I’m excited about outweigh the things I’m afraid of by a LOT. I just wanted to share those, and it always feels good to write things like that down to journal them. Ok, more soon.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
September Newsletter
LIFE IN KOSECA
Ashley Severson, Young Adult in Global Mission
September Newsletter
After almost a month of language training in Velky Slavkov, and “orienteering” in Chicago and Bratislava, I finally arrived in Koseca, Slovakia on September 15th! The village of Koseca is small and quaint (about 2,000 people), and beautiful during the season’s change! Many people ask me “Isn’t it strange for you to go from the United States to Koseca? It’s so small.” They’re all surprised to hear that my hometown of Westbrook, Minnesota is actually even smaller than Koseca, so the size feels like home in many ways. I live and work in “the center” (more formally known as Stredisko Evanjelickej diakonie). It is essentially a nursing home, housing almost 50 residents.
It has been quite an interesting adventure, both living and working here!
I spend a lot of my time here helping the nurses: Anka, Vlasta, Eveta, Martin, Milan, Innes, Janka, Viera, Anitka, and Zuza. I’ve been helping with feeding some of the residents, bathing the residents, changing/getting them out of bed, and helping serving meals in the dining room. Almost every day at least once, I get to feed Bozena Krausova, which so far is my favorite part of the day. So far, the only things I know about her are that she used to be a professor in Russia, she doesn’t really like to eat meat, and she smiles when I talk to her! When I’m able to speak more Slovak, I’m going to ask the nurses more about her. I’m very curious to know more about her!
The other part of my volunteer work is teaching English at a high school in the neighboring village of Ilava. I have met many fun people through the school, and have had some interesting times with the students! I was given my own class to teach on Tuesdays and Fridays (10 girls who don’t speak very much English), and I also spend the remainder of those days helping the two head English teachers at Obchodna Akademia: Mirka and Beata. I go to their classes with them and speak about random topics for the students, have conversations with them, or read out of their textbooks for them so they can get listening practice. Mirka and Beata also give their students free time to ask me questions, which has been interesting. Anything from, “Why are you in Slovakia? Do you like Slovak boys?” to “What does America think of Slovakia? What do you think of 9/11, the war on terrorism, and President Bush?” All in all it has been a really great experience! More to come later on classroom adventures!
A main difference I have discovered between our culture and the Slovak culture is the food, and the way in which they eat it. It has been a new adventure every day trying new foods and drinks, eating more soup and cabbage then ever before, and less junk/fattening food. The Slovak people have been extremely friendly and hospitable, and they LOVE to offer food! Another main difference is obviously the language. The language barrier has been quite difficult, but often times exciting! I think I’ve made a lot of progress since being here in Koseca, more than I made in actual language training! I love attempting conversations with the residents, even if my part of the conversation usually only consists of “Dobry den” (Good afternoon), “Ako sa mas?” (How are you) and “Dovidenia” (Goodbye). They sweetly pat me on the head and pinch my cheeks as I listen and attempt to understand. I’m excited for the coming days when I’ll be able to have fuller conversations with them!
I spent the last four years in college trying to discover myself, what I’m capable of doing, and what God’s purpose was for putting me on this Earth. As I chose a major and finished my years of studying, I could say with confidence that:
A) I was not meant to be an educator.
B) I was not meant to work in health care.
Upon arrival in Koseca, I was informed that I would be:
A) Teaching English at a local high school
B) Working with the nurses at the center, caring for the patients
So far on this adventure, He has taught me to open my mind (not only with the jobs I’m doing) in so many aspects and opened new doors for my life that I never imagined would be opened. He’s reminded me that even when I think I know what’s best for my life, it’s actually Him who knows. I look forward to growing in this community of people and seeing how He uses me this year!
Thank you so much for all of your support!! To read more about my experiences, check out my blog online at:
www.ashleyrenslovak.blogspot.com
Address:
Ashley Severson
Stredisko Evanjelickej diakonie
Koseca 898
018 64
Slovakia
Email: ashseve@hotmail.com
Phone: 011.421.918.310.062
*To learn about the volunteer options through the Young Adults in Global Mission Program, visit: www.elca.org/globalmission
Ashley Severson, Young Adult in Global Mission
September Newsletter
After almost a month of language training in Velky Slavkov, and “orienteering” in Chicago and Bratislava, I finally arrived in Koseca, Slovakia on September 15th! The village of Koseca is small and quaint (about 2,000 people), and beautiful during the season’s change! Many people ask me “Isn’t it strange for you to go from the United States to Koseca? It’s so small.” They’re all surprised to hear that my hometown of Westbrook, Minnesota is actually even smaller than Koseca, so the size feels like home in many ways. I live and work in “the center” (more formally known as Stredisko Evanjelickej diakonie). It is essentially a nursing home, housing almost 50 residents.
It has been quite an interesting adventure, both living and working here!
I spend a lot of my time here helping the nurses: Anka, Vlasta, Eveta, Martin, Milan, Innes, Janka, Viera, Anitka, and Zuza. I’ve been helping with feeding some of the residents, bathing the residents, changing/getting them out of bed, and helping serving meals in the dining room. Almost every day at least once, I get to feed Bozena Krausova, which so far is my favorite part of the day. So far, the only things I know about her are that she used to be a professor in Russia, she doesn’t really like to eat meat, and she smiles when I talk to her! When I’m able to speak more Slovak, I’m going to ask the nurses more about her. I’m very curious to know more about her!
The other part of my volunteer work is teaching English at a high school in the neighboring village of Ilava. I have met many fun people through the school, and have had some interesting times with the students! I was given my own class to teach on Tuesdays and Fridays (10 girls who don’t speak very much English), and I also spend the remainder of those days helping the two head English teachers at Obchodna Akademia: Mirka and Beata. I go to their classes with them and speak about random topics for the students, have conversations with them, or read out of their textbooks for them so they can get listening practice. Mirka and Beata also give their students free time to ask me questions, which has been interesting. Anything from, “Why are you in Slovakia? Do you like Slovak boys?” to “What does America think of Slovakia? What do you think of 9/11, the war on terrorism, and President Bush?” All in all it has been a really great experience! More to come later on classroom adventures!
A main difference I have discovered between our culture and the Slovak culture is the food, and the way in which they eat it. It has been a new adventure every day trying new foods and drinks, eating more soup and cabbage then ever before, and less junk/fattening food. The Slovak people have been extremely friendly and hospitable, and they LOVE to offer food! Another main difference is obviously the language. The language barrier has been quite difficult, but often times exciting! I think I’ve made a lot of progress since being here in Koseca, more than I made in actual language training! I love attempting conversations with the residents, even if my part of the conversation usually only consists of “Dobry den” (Good afternoon), “Ako sa mas?” (How are you) and “Dovidenia” (Goodbye). They sweetly pat me on the head and pinch my cheeks as I listen and attempt to understand. I’m excited for the coming days when I’ll be able to have fuller conversations with them!
I spent the last four years in college trying to discover myself, what I’m capable of doing, and what God’s purpose was for putting me on this Earth. As I chose a major and finished my years of studying, I could say with confidence that:
A) I was not meant to be an educator.
B) I was not meant to work in health care.
Upon arrival in Koseca, I was informed that I would be:
A) Teaching English at a local high school
B) Working with the nurses at the center, caring for the patients
So far on this adventure, He has taught me to open my mind (not only with the jobs I’m doing) in so many aspects and opened new doors for my life that I never imagined would be opened. He’s reminded me that even when I think I know what’s best for my life, it’s actually Him who knows. I look forward to growing in this community of people and seeing how He uses me this year!
Thank you so much for all of your support!! To read more about my experiences, check out my blog online at:
www.ashleyrenslovak.blogspot.com
Address:
Ashley Severson
Stredisko Evanjelickej diakonie
Koseca 898
018 64
Slovakia
Email: ashseve@hotmail.com
Phone: 011.421.918.310.062
*To learn about the volunteer options through the Young Adults in Global Mission Program, visit: www.elca.org/globalmission
Saturday, October 13, 2007
I'm finally at my placement!!
**I've actually been here for one month now...due to limited internet access, I'm a bit behind on my blog, but working on catching up!**
After about a month, I’m finally on my own at my placement. September 15th was the day that all of us volunteers separated and went off in our own directions. I will miss everybody! Some of us are pretty close to each other, but others are on the other side of the country and I know I won’t see them again until our retreat in November. We are getting together in the capital (Bratislava) at the end of November to meet and celebrate Thanksgiving. I’m looking forward to it!
Anyways, the director of the facility I’m working at (Marcel) picked me up at the train station in Puchov after a 3 hour train ride from Velky Slavkov. I rode the train with Mark and Daniela, which was nice, so the ride went quickly. Marcel had to pick me up in Puchov because my village doesn’t have a train station in it. Puchov is a pretty big city (60,000 people) that is about fifteen miles from Koseca.
The center is very nice!! It was remodeled only a few years ago, so it’s pretty modern. There are two floors with an elevator built in, a nurse’s office and dining room/kitchen. There is a nice patio area with a little picnic shelter attached to the main building, and there is another building currently being built next door. This will be used for more staff and residents rooms, a fitness room, another laundry facility and bathrooms, and more. My room is very nice, it’s cute and decorated with curtains, some artwork, plastic vines, and candles/other knick knacks.
A few minutes after getting there I was introduced to a woman named Zuzana (Zuza for short) who has a room right down the hallway from mine. She was very nice and welcoming!! Within hours I felt SO much better about being here and being alone, and I didn’t feel so alone anymore. She was a little guardian angel right from the start. She made sure I had a spot to sit at dinner, showed me where things were, and took the time to patiently page through the dictionary and look up words so she could communicate with me. She has been SO patient, trying to explain words and things to me (as best as she can with my limited Slovak knowledge). Right away the first night when I got here, I could feel God showing me my new friend. She is 38 years old and has quite a few health problems and physical disabilities. She was thrown out of her house by her brother less than a year ago, so she is living here at the facility. She’s not really a resident, and not really working here, and she is just sort of lost in life right now. It was great because I need her, and she needs me. After weeks of frustration and adjustment, I felt like I was in the right place and I found God through her. She’s wonderful and crazy!
After about a month, I’m finally on my own at my placement. September 15th was the day that all of us volunteers separated and went off in our own directions. I will miss everybody! Some of us are pretty close to each other, but others are on the other side of the country and I know I won’t see them again until our retreat in November. We are getting together in the capital (Bratislava) at the end of November to meet and celebrate Thanksgiving. I’m looking forward to it!
Anyways, the director of the facility I’m working at (Marcel) picked me up at the train station in Puchov after a 3 hour train ride from Velky Slavkov. I rode the train with Mark and Daniela, which was nice, so the ride went quickly. Marcel had to pick me up in Puchov because my village doesn’t have a train station in it. Puchov is a pretty big city (60,000 people) that is about fifteen miles from Koseca.
The center is very nice!! It was remodeled only a few years ago, so it’s pretty modern. There are two floors with an elevator built in, a nurse’s office and dining room/kitchen. There is a nice patio area with a little picnic shelter attached to the main building, and there is another building currently being built next door. This will be used for more staff and residents rooms, a fitness room, another laundry facility and bathrooms, and more. My room is very nice, it’s cute and decorated with curtains, some artwork, plastic vines, and candles/other knick knacks.
A few minutes after getting there I was introduced to a woman named Zuzana (Zuza for short) who has a room right down the hallway from mine. She was very nice and welcoming!! Within hours I felt SO much better about being here and being alone, and I didn’t feel so alone anymore. She was a little guardian angel right from the start. She made sure I had a spot to sit at dinner, showed me where things were, and took the time to patiently page through the dictionary and look up words so she could communicate with me. She has been SO patient, trying to explain words and things to me (as best as she can with my limited Slovak knowledge). Right away the first night when I got here, I could feel God showing me my new friend. She is 38 years old and has quite a few health problems and physical disabilities. She was thrown out of her house by her brother less than a year ago, so she is living here at the facility. She’s not really a resident, and not really working here, and she is just sort of lost in life right now. It was great because I need her, and she needs me. After weeks of frustration and adjustment, I felt like I was in the right place and I found God through her. She’s wonderful and crazy!
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Struggles in Language Training
Hi again! So about a week ago I finished my Slovak language traning. We’ve been in Velky Slavkov for the past two weeks taking a crash language course in Slovak. Honestly, this language is INSANELY difficult, and it was a very frustrating few weeks…but I made it! People keep telling me that it’s one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn…(I don’t know if that’s true or not, but it seems like it could be). Nouns, pronouns, verbs AND adjectives change gender in Slovak!! There are four cases and seven declinations. After two weeks, I still can’t even tell you what a declination is. Whenever our teacher attempted to teach us about them, she just started laughing, along with the German girls, and was like “This is impossible. You don’t even know what this is, they don’t have declinations in English”. Pretty encouraging, haha! The training was helpful of course, but at the end of the two weeks I could only understand a few words of our “listening paragraphs”.
The training was pretty intense. We did four hours every morning after breakfast, and then usually did an hour or so in the afternoons or in early evenings. During our breaks we usually did some studying, and at night we worked on our homework assignments for the following day. Since we were in a small village, there wasn’t a lot to do during the days. We usually went for walks just to get exercise, and once in awhile we would take the train over to the neighboring city of Poprod to go to an internet café. Basically, it was a LOT of Slovak in a short time, and hopefully my brain absorbed more information than I think it did. I guess I will have to see, once I get to the point where I can speak in sentences and worry about tenses and things. Our teacher was a student who is living and studying at a University in Kosice, Slovakia (second biggest city in Slovakia, Eastern part). Zuska’s English is pretty good! She plans to become an interpreter in England after she graduates in a year. She was helpful with the language, and just general questions about the country. She introduced us to Slovak Superstar, which is Slovakia’s version of “American Idol” and it’s hilarious. We spent a few nights watching that, and a few other television shows, attempting to pick out words in Slovak. I will keep you updated also on how the language is going! More coming soon!
The training was pretty intense. We did four hours every morning after breakfast, and then usually did an hour or so in the afternoons or in early evenings. During our breaks we usually did some studying, and at night we worked on our homework assignments for the following day. Since we were in a small village, there wasn’t a lot to do during the days. We usually went for walks just to get exercise, and once in awhile we would take the train over to the neighboring city of Poprod to go to an internet café. Basically, it was a LOT of Slovak in a short time, and hopefully my brain absorbed more information than I think it did. I guess I will have to see, once I get to the point where I can speak in sentences and worry about tenses and things. Our teacher was a student who is living and studying at a University in Kosice, Slovakia (second biggest city in Slovakia, Eastern part). Zuska’s English is pretty good! She plans to become an interpreter in England after she graduates in a year. She was helpful with the language, and just general questions about the country. She introduced us to Slovak Superstar, which is Slovakia’s version of “American Idol” and it’s hilarious. We spent a few nights watching that, and a few other television shows, attempting to pick out words in Slovak. I will keep you updated also on how the language is going! More coming soon!
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