I really miss playing in band. I listen to some of our concert pieces and think about how much I miss it sometimes, and realize that I’ll never be in a situation where I can play on a regular basis again. This is the first year I haven’t played in band since I was 10 years old. I also miss the people in the music department, as well as the English department.
I’ve been keeping in touch with some friends who have been filling me in on life back at the good ole’ U of Wisconsin-RF, but it feels really strange to not be there. I really miss my writing workshop classes and the people in them! I wish I had more time and ambition to write (poetry and stories) here in Slovakia, but so far it just hasn’t happened. But I have no doubt that the wonderful experiences I’m having will contribute GREATLY to future writing projects, so I’m collecting memories to use later!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Some of my Favorites!
So I wanted to talk about a few of my favorite residents thus far:
Edita: She’s 83 and she’s pretty spunky. She likes to talk about how there’s too much sex on T.V. today (someone helped me translate) and she’s a total packrat. She has piles and piles of stuff everywhere, on her tables and shelf. One of the first days I met and attempted to talk with her, she really wanted to know how to spell my name. She had me write it out for her on a piece of paper, and now every time I come into her room to bring her meals or visit, she says “ahoj Ashley!” She is one of the few residents (although the number is increasing in the past few weeks) that knows my name! And if I’m with another nurse in her room, she pulls out the piece of paper with my name on it and shows it to them. Also, when I come to her room sometimes to collect dishes, she sometimes has an entire bowl of soup leftover. When I ask her if she’s finished, she says yes and tells me how disgusting the soup was, and the she didn’t like it. And she makes great faces as she goes on and on. She cracks me up.
Jozef and Kveta: These two, husband and wife, feel like this amazingly sweet couple of grandparents I’ve gained for this year. One time they invited me into their joint room and showed me pictures of their daughter and grandkids. Jozef is a great artist, he used to do wood carvings and there are many little statues and knick knacks that he carved in their little kitchen and living room area. The detail on these is really amazing. He reminds me of my own Grandpa Rhubee in a few ways, especially with the woodcarving. Jozef is at least partially blind and is continuing to lose eyesight, so he has a difficult time getting around at times, but he’s always linked arm in arm with Kveta. He always takes time to try and teach me new words in Slovak and pats me on the shoulder, saying “After one year you’ll speak good Slovak. I’d learn English, but I’m too old.” Kveta always makes sure to greet me and say goodbye when she sees me, and most of the time says “goodnight” in English, instead of Slovak. She’s always rubs my face and sometimes kisses my cheek and tells me I’m pretty. I love these two!
Bozena: I wrote about Bozena before, in my first newsletter. She is the woman I help feed many times every week. I feel bad for her, because I feel like nobody really pays much attention to her. I’ve never seen anybody come visit her, the nurses don’t really take a lot of time to talk to her because she isn’t very responsive, but she CAN talk. I think the nurses think I’m strange for wanting to feed her and spend time with her, but I don’t care. She doesn’t say a lot, but she’s talking more and more with me! And before when I knew hardly any Slovak, I would just say greetings or words here and there to her and she’d smile. Now I can speak a little more and use phrases, and she understands and responds! Also, I discovered she had a little radio at the back of her table the whole time, so I always turn that on when she eats, just for a little more entertainment. Almost ALL of the songs on the radio here are American songs, and I’m an avid radio listener, so I can sing along to pretty much any song on the radio in Slovakia. (One of the first days I came into one of the residents’ rooms, “Umbrella” by Rihanna was playing on their radio! From the bars and clubs of Minneapolis to a Slovak nursing home…) Anyways, I usually sing along while I’m feeding her and she smiles! It’s cute. I also found a photo album on her end table with pictures of her! It was really interesting to look at pictures of her when she was younger (I’m not sure how much younger), laughing and talking. I wonder what she thinks about this strange foreign girl who feeds her, doesn’t speak much Slovak, and looks through her pictures.
Judita and Magda: I just love these two because they smile a lot and enjoy seeing me as much as I enjoy seeing them! They also know my name, and I like just sitting with them and trying to have conversations. They used to be roommates and recently have been separated. I think they miss each other! Magda is now with one of the crazier residents here (she has severe Alzheimers) and Judita lives in their old room by herself. Judita became very sick awhile back and had to have her leg amputated (from above the knee and down) but every time I see her she is happy and content, and usually smiling. These two are pretty cute little ladies!
Vincent: One day I was trying to understand one of the residents in Slovak (in my first couple of weeks) and it wasn’t going very well, and all of the sudden Vincent chimed in…in English! I didn’t expect any of the residents to speak English here. The recent generations here (like in other countries also) are becoming more and more bilingual, and traveling more and more. Up until about fifteen years ago, nobody in Slovakia could leave their own country and travel, due to communism, and the only language they were allowed to learn was Russian, because of the U.S.S.R’s control. So imagine my surprise when this old man in a nursing home just starts speaking in English! I asked my supervisor about him, and he said that Vincent used to be a teacher. I’d like to know where, and when, and I will ask more as my Slovak improve. He doesn’t speak very much English, but he surprises me once in awhile with a new phrase: “How are you doing? Very well, thank you.” Or “Goodnight, and good luck.” Or “For what reason will you be traveling today?” He’s fun to try and speak to. A few times I’ve walked down the hall with him and just trying to say things in Slovak, and having him help me. It’s pretty amazing what the brain can remember as you get older, and when other parts of your body fail you. Vincent reminds me of my Grandma Verna, because while her mind and other parts of her body were failing her in old age, she never forgot how to play those same songs on the piano.
Edita: She’s 83 and she’s pretty spunky. She likes to talk about how there’s too much sex on T.V. today (someone helped me translate) and she’s a total packrat. She has piles and piles of stuff everywhere, on her tables and shelf. One of the first days I met and attempted to talk with her, she really wanted to know how to spell my name. She had me write it out for her on a piece of paper, and now every time I come into her room to bring her meals or visit, she says “ahoj Ashley!” She is one of the few residents (although the number is increasing in the past few weeks) that knows my name! And if I’m with another nurse in her room, she pulls out the piece of paper with my name on it and shows it to them. Also, when I come to her room sometimes to collect dishes, she sometimes has an entire bowl of soup leftover. When I ask her if she’s finished, she says yes and tells me how disgusting the soup was, and the she didn’t like it. And she makes great faces as she goes on and on. She cracks me up.
Jozef and Kveta: These two, husband and wife, feel like this amazingly sweet couple of grandparents I’ve gained for this year. One time they invited me into their joint room and showed me pictures of their daughter and grandkids. Jozef is a great artist, he used to do wood carvings and there are many little statues and knick knacks that he carved in their little kitchen and living room area. The detail on these is really amazing. He reminds me of my own Grandpa Rhubee in a few ways, especially with the woodcarving. Jozef is at least partially blind and is continuing to lose eyesight, so he has a difficult time getting around at times, but he’s always linked arm in arm with Kveta. He always takes time to try and teach me new words in Slovak and pats me on the shoulder, saying “After one year you’ll speak good Slovak. I’d learn English, but I’m too old.” Kveta always makes sure to greet me and say goodbye when she sees me, and most of the time says “goodnight” in English, instead of Slovak. She’s always rubs my face and sometimes kisses my cheek and tells me I’m pretty. I love these two!
Bozena: I wrote about Bozena before, in my first newsletter. She is the woman I help feed many times every week. I feel bad for her, because I feel like nobody really pays much attention to her. I’ve never seen anybody come visit her, the nurses don’t really take a lot of time to talk to her because she isn’t very responsive, but she CAN talk. I think the nurses think I’m strange for wanting to feed her and spend time with her, but I don’t care. She doesn’t say a lot, but she’s talking more and more with me! And before when I knew hardly any Slovak, I would just say greetings or words here and there to her and she’d smile. Now I can speak a little more and use phrases, and she understands and responds! Also, I discovered she had a little radio at the back of her table the whole time, so I always turn that on when she eats, just for a little more entertainment. Almost ALL of the songs on the radio here are American songs, and I’m an avid radio listener, so I can sing along to pretty much any song on the radio in Slovakia. (One of the first days I came into one of the residents’ rooms, “Umbrella” by Rihanna was playing on their radio! From the bars and clubs of Minneapolis to a Slovak nursing home…) Anyways, I usually sing along while I’m feeding her and she smiles! It’s cute. I also found a photo album on her end table with pictures of her! It was really interesting to look at pictures of her when she was younger (I’m not sure how much younger), laughing and talking. I wonder what she thinks about this strange foreign girl who feeds her, doesn’t speak much Slovak, and looks through her pictures.
Judita and Magda: I just love these two because they smile a lot and enjoy seeing me as much as I enjoy seeing them! They also know my name, and I like just sitting with them and trying to have conversations. They used to be roommates and recently have been separated. I think they miss each other! Magda is now with one of the crazier residents here (she has severe Alzheimers) and Judita lives in their old room by herself. Judita became very sick awhile back and had to have her leg amputated (from above the knee and down) but every time I see her she is happy and content, and usually smiling. These two are pretty cute little ladies!
Vincent: One day I was trying to understand one of the residents in Slovak (in my first couple of weeks) and it wasn’t going very well, and all of the sudden Vincent chimed in…in English! I didn’t expect any of the residents to speak English here. The recent generations here (like in other countries also) are becoming more and more bilingual, and traveling more and more. Up until about fifteen years ago, nobody in Slovakia could leave their own country and travel, due to communism, and the only language they were allowed to learn was Russian, because of the U.S.S.R’s control. So imagine my surprise when this old man in a nursing home just starts speaking in English! I asked my supervisor about him, and he said that Vincent used to be a teacher. I’d like to know where, and when, and I will ask more as my Slovak improve. He doesn’t speak very much English, but he surprises me once in awhile with a new phrase: “How are you doing? Very well, thank you.” Or “Goodnight, and good luck.” Or “For what reason will you be traveling today?” He’s fun to try and speak to. A few times I’ve walked down the hall with him and just trying to say things in Slovak, and having him help me. It’s pretty amazing what the brain can remember as you get older, and when other parts of your body fail you. Vincent reminds me of my Grandma Verna, because while her mind and other parts of her body were failing her in old age, she never forgot how to play those same songs on the piano.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
SNOW!
It’s snowing!! For the first time since I’ve come to Slovakia! It’s pretty exciting. It’s finally getting colder outside. From what I’ve heard here so far, I think the weather is very comparable to Minnesota weather, as far as cold temperatures and amounts of snow and ice. We got quite a bit of snow today, enough to put a nice white covering on everything, but I’m REALLY excited for the first real snowstorm! I guess last year was a really mild winter with no snow, so everybody is thinking this winter will be really crazy! Is it snowing where you are???
October Newsletter
Life in Koseca
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
For this newsletter, we were told to unpack the term “missionary” in our own context and calling. In the past, I’ve thought of the word “missionary” as a heavy and loaded term. My idea of the classic missionary was a person who ventured to a land radically different than their own, living in the worst imaginable living conditions in poverty-stricken villages. My stereotypical image of a missionary was one who selflessly brought only the clothes on their back and optimism, loudly proclaiming the gospel and their love for God.
While Slovakia definitely has distinct differences from the U.S., it’s not radically different. I live in a nice, well-kept building and have my own room. I have both internet access and phone access. I can still easily go to a shop and buy Fructis Shampoo, Aquafresh toothpaste, a Snickers candy bar, or a bottle of Sprite. I can even catch Grey’s Anatomy on t.v. here (except my favorite television characters are speaking Slovak instead of English). Believe me when I say that I brought WAY more than the clothes on my back, and many days I struggle with being very optimistic because I’m surrounded by disadvantage, poor health and suffering. And as far as proclaiming the gospel, well, they wouldn’t even be able to understand me because of the language barrier. I’m lucky if I accomplish a small conversation about the weather. So do I feel like a missionary? Sometimes yes, but most times no. Do I still have a strong sense of what the term “missionary” means, or what connotation it carries? I’m not sure. I know it will be something to consider throughout my year of service, and for years to come.
One thing I have learned is that serving God by helping others is usually not a grand gesture. It’s about the small things, as well the bigger. Helping in the kitchen sometimes so the cooks can go home faster, or helping the teachers correct tests so they can spend more time with their families at night, or just attempting to have conversations with those special people that I’ve found here that are lonely and looking for a friend. And often times, I feel like the people I’m meeting here are missionaries also. I feel like they’ve helped me and offered me more help than I’ve been able to offer them in return. I’ve met some truly amazing people.
I learned in my week of orientation that doing mission work is all about accompaniment. I finding more truth in that than I ever imagined I would. Doing mission work isn’t about fixing things, or making situations better, but it’s about being with the people. It’s about experiencing the realities of life with them and learning their ways of life. “I’m here to share my life with you, and please share yours with me too.” And whenever I feel down and frustrated about the language barrier, I think about how much I’ve been able to share with these people, and the friendships I’ve been able to form without ACTUALLY being able to talk to them. It’s truly God’s presence in Koseca.
Peace,
Ashley
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
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
For this newsletter, we were told to unpack the term “missionary” in our own context and calling. In the past, I’ve thought of the word “missionary” as a heavy and loaded term. My idea of the classic missionary was a person who ventured to a land radically different than their own, living in the worst imaginable living conditions in poverty-stricken villages. My stereotypical image of a missionary was one who selflessly brought only the clothes on their back and optimism, loudly proclaiming the gospel and their love for God.
While Slovakia definitely has distinct differences from the U.S., it’s not radically different. I live in a nice, well-kept building and have my own room. I have both internet access and phone access. I can still easily go to a shop and buy Fructis Shampoo, Aquafresh toothpaste, a Snickers candy bar, or a bottle of Sprite. I can even catch Grey’s Anatomy on t.v. here (except my favorite television characters are speaking Slovak instead of English). Believe me when I say that I brought WAY more than the clothes on my back, and many days I struggle with being very optimistic because I’m surrounded by disadvantage, poor health and suffering. And as far as proclaiming the gospel, well, they wouldn’t even be able to understand me because of the language barrier. I’m lucky if I accomplish a small conversation about the weather. So do I feel like a missionary? Sometimes yes, but most times no. Do I still have a strong sense of what the term “missionary” means, or what connotation it carries? I’m not sure. I know it will be something to consider throughout my year of service, and for years to come.
One thing I have learned is that serving God by helping others is usually not a grand gesture. It’s about the small things, as well the bigger. Helping in the kitchen sometimes so the cooks can go home faster, or helping the teachers correct tests so they can spend more time with their families at night, or just attempting to have conversations with those special people that I’ve found here that are lonely and looking for a friend. And often times, I feel like the people I’m meeting here are missionaries also. I feel like they’ve helped me and offered me more help than I’ve been able to offer them in return. I’ve met some truly amazing people.
I learned in my week of orientation that doing mission work is all about accompaniment. I finding more truth in that than I ever imagined I would. Doing mission work isn’t about fixing things, or making situations better, but it’s about being with the people. It’s about experiencing the realities of life with them and learning their ways of life. “I’m here to share my life with you, and please share yours with me too.” And whenever I feel down and frustrated about the language barrier, I think about how much I’ve been able to share with these people, and the friendships I’ve been able to form without ACTUALLY being able to talk to them. It’s truly God’s presence in Koseca.
Peace,
Ashley
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
Friday, November 2, 2007
Food
So the food experiences I’ve had here have been interesting! I would say, for the most part, that the food isn’t so different from ours. There are definitely differences of course, but it has been a pretty easy transition overall.
*Some foods/drinks that I don’t especially love: Cabbage (in soggy form), Fried bread (with egg, dripping in grease…yikes), hot tea (although I’m getting used to the fruit tea!
But some are tough to swallow), Carbonated water (a.k.a. “gas water”) and Sweet Lunch (dumplings filled with jelly paste, covered with chocolate syrup). The sweet lunch is good, but after two bites it’s too sweet. Oh, and on my third day here I didn’t feel that great after eating the fried bread, so what did they give me to help? Beer. Yes, beer, at 9:30 in the morning, because it’s supposed to make you burp a lot, which will apparently solve the problem. The nurses gave it to me out of their station room (they keep it in the cabinet with other medicines). Ha! Interesting, and a bit ridiculous, I thought. Also not a fan of the warm milk that they serve.
*Some foods that I do love: Halusky (traditional Slovak meal, very popular…noodles with chunks of meat, served with goat cheese), SOUP (all kinds, all the time, all good), potato bread and meat (usually pork, which I like the most), Veggie rice balls (ok, this isn’t actually what they’re called, but I don’t know the name yet…), and pretty much all of their hotdishes and potato creations (there are quite a few).
More than the food itself, I'm not used to the way they eat it. For example, they eat their entire meal first before drinking anything (like big pieces of meat and potatoes, but nothing to drink....how do the old ladies not choke while eating?? No idea). Ok, more to come again soon!
*Some foods/drinks that I don’t especially love: Cabbage (in soggy form), Fried bread (with egg, dripping in grease…yikes), hot tea (although I’m getting used to the fruit tea!
But some are tough to swallow), Carbonated water (a.k.a. “gas water”) and Sweet Lunch (dumplings filled with jelly paste, covered with chocolate syrup). The sweet lunch is good, but after two bites it’s too sweet. Oh, and on my third day here I didn’t feel that great after eating the fried bread, so what did they give me to help? Beer. Yes, beer, at 9:30 in the morning, because it’s supposed to make you burp a lot, which will apparently solve the problem. The nurses gave it to me out of their station room (they keep it in the cabinet with other medicines). Ha! Interesting, and a bit ridiculous, I thought. Also not a fan of the warm milk that they serve.
*Some foods that I do love: Halusky (traditional Slovak meal, very popular…noodles with chunks of meat, served with goat cheese), SOUP (all kinds, all the time, all good), potato bread and meat (usually pork, which I like the most), Veggie rice balls (ok, this isn’t actually what they’re called, but I don’t know the name yet…), and pretty much all of their hotdishes and potato creations (there are quite a few).
More than the food itself, I'm not used to the way they eat it. For example, they eat their entire meal first before drinking anything (like big pieces of meat and potatoes, but nothing to drink....how do the old ladies not choke while eating?? No idea). Ok, more to come again soon!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
My Worries
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.
*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.
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
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