Trainers vol. 2 The program of Megavikend The rules of the game Little information about the prep-team And a lot more
At the beginning... Dear participants, AFSers,
dear
Megavikend has become a traditional educational event of our association and I am very pleased to witness the professionalization of our volunteers together with the prep-team in the lead, who takes on a role of great responsibility every year. The result of it all is the sixth edition of Megavikend, a great deal of participants are going to attend, not only from within the Czech Republic but also from abroad. Looking in the history we can learn the number of participants has doubled since the year of 2009. In the first edition of Megavikend we had no international participants, now we are expecting 19 participants plus 6 international trainers. We have crossed the line of a hundred participants and that alone causes big expectations, as is easy to understand, however, it requires a lot of energy to be invested in the preparations and clear-cut rules and guidelines as well. We have reached a common understanding that an educational event such as Megavikend deserves
undistracted attention and should not be disturbed by any negative alcohol-related issues. Megavikend really is all about education and even though the socialization and getting to know each other among the participants is just as important it cannot cross a certain bearable line affecting thus the ability to concentrate one's self during the training sessions. So to say, the work of the prep-team and trainers should not go in vain. We also need to consider the fact that we have some responsibility both in relation with the school and under-age volunteers. Considering our common objectives, to show AFS as a stable and reliable education-focused organization, I believe, everybody will understand the reasons that led to such a measure. I am looking forward to seeing you all in České Budějovice! Klára Kutišová, the National Director
Trainers, vol. 2 In the previous bulletin, we introduced the first half of the trainers who are going to be giving their best in the tracks and workshops on the Megavikend. Today, we are presenting the other half of them.
Michal Dubec External trainer Track/Workshop: Reaching an understanding when solving conflicts If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it be and why? Benedikt – because I like the name. Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, what would you be? My only pets are flies, therefore no.
Jana Hollá Country: Slovakia / Egypt Track/Workshop: How do others like to learn? AFS orientations beyond European audiences. What did life with AFS give you and take away from you? I guess I won’t sound very original when I say I’ve gained a lot of knowledge and experience including self-introspection and self-discovery, wonderful people – many of whom became good friends –, some interesting challenges and tons of great moments. Taken away? Far more less than what I received :)
What future plans do you still have in AFS? What would you like to achieve in AFS? Continue doing what I am trying to do: help people learn about themselves so that they can learn and meaningfully connect and relate to others; and learn in the process. (I think particularly in our times when people have the means to learn about and work with others yet majority seems still to choose not to and rather fall back on good old safe xenophobia – as current politics show – the mission of AFS is as valid as it was when AFS began.) If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it be and why? Hmm, I am actually very satisfied with my first name so, sorry, no change here ;)
Lucie Čížková Country: Czech Republic Track/Workshop: I, The Volunteer What did life with AFS give you and take away from you? Life with AFS gave me numerous occasions of deep insight, learning and appreciation of diversity. It gave me a number of friends for life. And the price? All that I was happily willing to pay – time, energy, occasional moments of frustration, confusion and self-doubt. What future plans do you still have in AFS? What would you like to achieve in AFS? I’ve always enjoyed engaging in the reflective processes of the organization as a whole and of the individuals that it’s composed of. What’s the purpose? Why do we do things the way we do? Is this for everyone? Or are we just an elitist rich kids’ club?
If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it be and why? I’d go for the one I have, actually, it has served me well for several decades and I love the meaning of it: The bearer of light… Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, what would you be? Ehh, well, no, not really. I tend to forget about regular duties and tasks – I might end up as a hungry pet. However, once in a while we dog-sit a lovely golden retriever called Tim and since he’s with us only for a short period of time, he gets exactly the right amount of food, attention and loving strictness. Plus, he’s an awesome, wise and beautiful dog, I wouldn’t mind being him for some time.
Monika Nikolova Country: Czech Republic (national office) Track/Workshop: Buddy system- Including the returnees within the AFS society What did life with AFS give you and take away from you? My AFS life has given me a lot in many different aspects. I have met great and wonderful people, which have taught me about intercultural differences and human relationships. Not only have I learnt about myself but also about the world, the way some offices work and how to communicate with people. My AFS life has definitely given more than it has taken away from me. Sometimes I feel like it takes more time than I am willing to give up though. What future plans do you still have in AFS? What would you like to achieve in AFS? I have been working at the national office at the position of the Programme leader for almost 6 years. In the future I would like to finish up some old projects from the past and also keep on working on an effective way of the sending programme. Just recently I have been involved in intercultural learning and I partly participate in our AFS database Global Link. I am enthusiastic about both activities;
unfortunately I do not have enough time to do both. If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it be and why? I like my name, I’m used to it. My dad had chosen it for me even before it was known that I was going to be a girl. I think it should therefore stay the same way. Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, what would you be? No.
Niccolò (Nick) Bertoldi Country: Italy Track/Workshop: Intercultural Learning What did life with AFS give you and take away from you? Life with AFS taught me to always be curious, to never stop learning and to always keep the ability to be surprised and amazed. It took away all my certainties. And that is a GOOD thing! What future plans do you still have in AFS? What would you like to achieve in AFS? I’ve been an AFS volunteer for 20 years, now. When people ask me how old I am I say that I’ve been 20 for 18 years because my goal in AFS is to remain “young inside”, to keep having fun and keep changing the world, one person at a time, with the same energy you have when you are 20, either for the first or the 18th year! If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it be and why? It would either be Nick, because it is easier to pronounce for people of all language origins. Or Mr. Wolf (quote from the movie Pulp Fiction) because I LOVE solving problems!
Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, what would you be? Not only I never wanted that, but I never even thought about that! :D Let’s see... I think I’d be a platipus. Because it is quirky, a very “intercultural mix” of different species and because it is much prettier on the inside than on the outside. Like me. ;-)
Petra Pojerová Country: Czech Republic (Prague) Track/Workshop: Time management What did life with AFS give you and take away from you? If there has been something that AFS has taken away from me, then I haven’t been able to detect it yet or it was something that I obviously didn’t need. On the other hand there are more than enough things AFS has given me: the kick to travel into the unknown, the feeling of importance and utility and a new overview of the world. I know this might sound like a bit of a cliché but it gave my life direction and a lot of unforgettable experiences involving host families and great inspirational friends. What future plans do you still have in AFS? What would you like to achieve in AFS? To be honest with you, I am not planning a career with AFS. I only do what I like, which in my case means training and giving lectures. So why would I not try out for the EFIL pool of trainers this year (hope to send my application on time this year!)? If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it be and why? It might not sound very original, but I am happy about my name just the way it is. I’m happy my parents chose a name that is internationally recognized; I guess they knew what they were doing! ;) Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, what
would you be? At the moment I’d rather not. If I were a pet I‘d stay home all day long and my owner, which would also in this case be me, would probably be travelling all over the world... I’ll try asking the same question in a few years time.
Petra Doležalová Country: Czech Republic Track/Workshop: Movement/Dance as a Method (for Personal Development) What did life with AFS give you and take away from you? It took away the quiet indifferent life in my parallel universe and gave me new horizons, interesting encounters, and lust for life ♫... What future plans do you still have in AFS? What would you like to achieve in AFS? You know life is what happens when you're busy making other plans, right? If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it be and why? If nomen est omen, then I would probably end up an Indie (for Independence) or Freedie (for You-can-guess-what). Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, what would you be? Are you kidding me?! Getting all the freedom, selfless love, and caring attention (plus the occasional alaska pollock fillet) for just being an extremely cute and cuddly soft ball of fur? Only all the time. I am CONVINCED to become one of our two cats in my next parallel universe (umm...ok, just slightly preferably the smarter and less clumsy one who does not bark at birds...).
Philipp Landgraf Country: Germany Track/Workshop: Time Management What did life with AFS give you and take away from you? Gave me a brother and took away inexperience. What future plans do you still have in AFS? What would you like to achieve in AFS? Continue giving the workshops I enjoy most. If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it be and why? I'd choose Philipp, Philos Hippos (friend of horses) that I am. Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, what would you be? I haven't but I think I'd like being a horse, embodying mobility, strength, independence, loyalty and sincerity.
Viktória Bedő (Vica) Country: Hungary Track/Workshop: Human Rights Education Citizenship as a part of Global Learning
and
Active
What did life with AFS give you and take away from you? It gave me the best memories of my life and took far away so many people I love or was about to love. But I learned that it's never "good-bye", just "see you soon". What future plans do you still have in AFS? What would you like to achieve in AFS?
I've just started to work again at the Hungarian AFS office as EVS and Organization Development Coordinator, so the new challenge is to be successful in this role. If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it be and why? I wouldn't choose a new one, as 'nomen est omen' and there is a good reason why I got the name 'victory'. But I would add "Zsuzsanna" as a middle: the name of both my mom and stepmom, two very important women to my heart. Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, what would you be? I'm fine as a human, but if I should choose, I would be a dog. Clever and playful one. :-)
Tereza Vรกvrovรก Country: Czech Republic Track/Workshop: Human Rights Education Citizenship as a part of Global Learning
and
Active
Yonathan Darmon Country: France Track/Workshop: Movement/Dance as a method, Intercultural communication What did life with AFS give you and take away from you? It gave me a direction, a new family, and it took away my free time and almost all my weekend :-) What future plans do you still have in AFS? What would you like to achieve in AFS? I would love to develop more the pool of trainers of my organization, be more active as a trainer for EFIL, and share everything that can be shared as knowledge ^^ If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it be and why? I would choose mine actually, I am very proud of my first name which means “send by god� why would you change that? Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, what would you be? Hmmm I would be a dog, a really messy one, because I am really nice if you know me, trustful, faithful, but completely crazy!
Prep-team
Program Friday 16:00 – 19:00 19:00 – 20:30 21:00 – 22:00 22:00 – 23:30
Arrival and Registration Dinner Official Opening Common Activities
Saturday 8:00 – 9:00 9:00 – 10:30 10:30 – 11:00 11:00 – 12:30 12:30 15:00 – 16:30 16:30 – 16:45 16:45 – 18:15 18:15 – 19:00 19:00 – 20:00 20:30 – 21:30 21:30 – 23:30
Breakfast Saturday tracks – part I Coffee Break Saturday tracks – part II Lunch Saturday tracks – part III Coffee Break Saturday tracks – part IV Reflexion Groups Dinner Office Time Common Activities
Sunday 8:00 – 9:00 9:00 – 10:30 10:30 – 10:45 10:45 – 12:15 12:15 – 12:45 13:00 – 14:00 14:00 – 15:00
Breakfast Sunday workshop I Coffee Break Sunday workshop II Official Closing Lunch and Evaluation Cleaning
Common Activities We will be playing games‌ ‌ and learning. And what is even better, we will be doing both at the same time. Many people think that a game is just an activity to entertain small children. Learning on the other hand is often perceived, by a great deal of high school students, as an act of violence. Despite of that, we will try to combine both of these in the common evening program, without actually giving a chance to these prejudices. A game will be the instrument for learning and growth of each of us, separately, and of the team as a whole. And what does it actually mean? We will try to find our borders, explore them and cross them. We will learn to respect each other, cooperate and compete. And how are we going to achieve all this, you might ask? In an entertaining, playful and active way. Our goal is to enable you to obtain a strong experience which will reach beyond a single evening or weekend.
Rules of the Megavikend Be everywhere on time! Do not eat or drink in the auditorium – be careful with food and drinks inside the building! Main door has to remain closed at all times! Do not stay outsider after midnight because nobody will open the door for you! Respect the others‘ right to sleep! Do not leave the school premises! If you feel ill or need something, contact one of the coordinators! Drinking alcohol is not allowed in the Megavikend!
What you should not forget at home Sleeping bag and mat Slippers A bottle or cup for drinking A towel
Where do participants come from?
Do you want to know more right now? Then visit our website www.afs.cz/megavikend-en/
Our thanks to... Megavikend 2013 is organized thanks to the project "Volunteers together" supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports