Newsletter Entrepreneurship 4 Integration

NEWS-

24MAY-1JUNE

2021

LETTER

CONTENTS: INTRODUCTION 1ST DAY: ARRIVING TO BANSKO 2ND DAY: EXPLORING THE CONCEPT 3RD DAY: THE FORUM THEATRE INTERCULTURAL NIGHTS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR INTEGRATION BANSKO, BULGARIA INTRODUCTION WRITTEN BY BERFIN

4TH DAY: TRIP TO RILA

An Erasmus project is one of the best events that can happen to you

MONASTERY

when you are young. You may encounter wonders in a city

5TH DAY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP 6TH DAY: IDEAS TO ACTIONS BARBECUE NIGHT 7TH DAY: THE LAST DAY! FEELINGS AND

unexpectedly, and you can feel very safe and happy with people you met only 2 days ago. In 1 week, you can gain knowledge and experience far beyond your expectations. The Entrepreneurship for Integration project in Bulgaria's paradise city of Bansko was one of these wonderful experiences. In fact, it was almost everyone's first Erasmus+ project experience. We spent a week playing games with laughter and establishing deep friendships, together with eyeopening workshops every day. In this newsletter, prepared by Paula

THOUGHTS FROM

the Brown, Gabri, Ania, Zeynep, Andrea, Fabiana, Alin and Berfin, you

PARTICIPANTS

will be able to see how 42 people spent a wonderful week in Bansko and you will be greeted with short excerpts from our experience.

Enjoy!

1ST DAY: ARRIVING TO BANSKO WRITTEN BY FABIANA On the first day we met for the very first time in the conference room sitting in a large circle. At first

glance,

we

would

look

like

Alcoholics

Anonymous but we were only a bit disoriented.

Then we gave a little presentation of ourselves but it took few days to remember the name of everyone... I mean, almost everyone.

Later on, we did icebreakers in order to know and feel comfortable with each other. We played some games where we would write three statements about ourselves and let others guess which one was true or false. Apparently someone is a real pro at reading in people’s minds. And after that we had a fast date with our mates at different hours, talking about dreams, aspirations and films.

Then we went out and sat wherever we would find a nice place to have a conversation and shared our memories, fears, goals in life. This last part was very special and made us share our deepest thoughts without the fear of being judged.

"Apparently someone is a real pro at reading in people’s minds."

In the second part of the day, before starting a new session of activities we did an energizer outside where we were supposed to take a bottle on the ground without touching the ground with the legs. Is it possible? Yes, if you have a 2 meters boy called Piotr coming from Poland in your team!

After this strategy game, we were sent to the centre of Bansko for doing a hunt treasure. We discovered such cute spots in the city, danced Bulgarian traditional songs and made a human heart in front of a fountain. At the end of the day, we came back to the hotel, had dinner but it’s better to skip this part again. We had some rest and met again in the conference room, playing UNO and trying to not end friendships with +4 cards. Aaand we did a great job.

2ND DAY: EXPLORING THE CONCEPT WRİTTEN BY GABRI

It might seem that the second day is not as important as the first one, but actually it's the day when you wake up and you realize that the person who you met the day before is inviting you to have breakfast together. On the second day we started with some energizer as to who could take the rope faster, poor Peti by the way... After that we form groups in a way simulating that we were animals, just to start playing who wants to be a millionaire where

We've learned so much through games, discussions and we could not imagine that it could teach us this much!

-Gabri

we learn interesting facts about refugees and immigration in Europe.

After that, to enjoy the sunny day we went out to

do

a

integration.

workshop The

about

migration

technique

used

in

and the

workshop was having three points as Agree, Disagree, Neutral where people can stand depending

on

their

feelings

about

the

statements. It was actually funny but at the same

time

very

deep,

how

to

deal

with

migration

and

refugees

raised

different

opinions

that

became

really

serious

discussions.

The national situation of the refugees was explained by each country and there were many differences. Poland does not have many refugees, Turkey possibly has the most difficult situation, in Spain the situation is similar to Italy, where many immigrants come to the coasts, looking for an opportunity.

3RD DAY: THE FORUM THEATRE WRITTEN BY PAULA THE BROWN

On the third day we made a tree drawing where we had to put the problems and effects of the topic we were given. For example, one of the topics we were given to develop was: "the problems that produce the lack of integration of refugees, and why?”. Then each group presented their projects followed by a Q&A session so we were able to develop a communicative environment, as well as enrich ourselves with different opinions.

The next activity of the day was Forum Theatre, where we had to develop in small groups a theater about the problems and the roots we have discussed in the morning, then we had to perform the theater for the rest of the groups once. After the first performance, we had to perform it a second time, but this time anyone from the audience had to clap their hands to exchange with the victim or someone other than the oppressor and see how to deal with the situation in a different way to deal with the problem and solve it. One of the performances was a labor inequality that was solved by the oppressed leaving the job with other workers.

There was also a situation of racist bullying that was solved by giving more responsibility to the teachers. We also had a situation of racism problems that the press recorded as gossip without helping the oppressed, was solved with outside help, those same people who recorded to laugh, turned out to be who ended the situation by separating the oppressor from the oppressed in a situation of violence.

To end the day we had the intercultural nights of Turkey, Spain and Poland. Where we shared some curious facts, we also showed a video of the best dancers of Flamenco (typical Spanish dance), and then we shared food and drinks from all countries. The Spanish group highlighted the drink sangria (wine with fruit and juice) cheeses, ham and sobaos. Within the Polish group we were able to share different types of fruit alcohol, vodka which was drunk in a particular way, with a glass of water on the other hand. And finally the Turks delighted us with different sweets and salty shots, which had a very strong taste, reflected even in their very spicy chocolates. After sharing these moments we danced to Latin music and different types of music, talked and laughed and called it a day.

INTERCULTURAL NIGHTS WRITTEN BY ZEYNEP & PAULA THE BROWN

"I found very interesting fact that everyone came from different country and I found differences in food and mentality. We have destroyed the walls between us we became brothers."

-Gabri

We have learned customs, history, important facts and curiosities that we did not know and I think that offering us a little bit of your country is offering us a little bit of your life.

-Paula Sanchez

It was very interesting, mind-opening because we had an opportunity to learn new things about countries. I had also the opportunity to express myself as an Italian.

-Fabiana

I found all very original. It would've been better if each night was designated to one team, so that we could focus out attention on each.

-Emilia

I think that through the competitiveness of the kahoot games we could pay attention to the differences, it was interesting to know about the union of turquoise with turkey, the names of the different alcohols, polinka, the names of the currencies in each country. Then tasting the different foods was like crossing the borders and teleporting to the different countries, all the countries dedicated all their time and love to give us the best of themselves and they are all wonderful.

-Paula Garra

4TH DAY: TRIP DAY WRITTEN BY ANİA

We have visited Rila Monastery. It is the and

largest

most

Eastern

famous

Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded important

as

one

of

cultural,

Bulgaria's

most

historical

and

architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and Southern attracted

Europe.

In

900,000

alone,

2008

visitors.

it

The

monastery is depicted on the reverse of the 1 lev banknote, issued in 1999.

The practice of lighting candles is an

BLAGOEVGRAD

important tradition in Catholic churches, communities and families. Its origins may

Also, we have visited vibrant city of

be traced back in the Old Testament

Blagoevgrad located in the region, known

times where an oil lamp is lighted to

as "Pirin" which is characterized by its

“keep

unique

a

flame

burning

perpetually”.

geographic

location,

physical

Together we have lighten up a candle

beauty of the surrounding mountains, and

with intention to help all

rich flora and fauna.

integrate with the society.

refugees

5TH DAY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WRITTEN BY ANDREA

On our 5th day, we had an activity that involved

interaction

between

us

and

helped us improve our skills and learn new things.

In the first part of the course we were divided into teams to make a project about business. During the project we had to answer several questions. The part where each of the teams presented what they did, in which way they planned to realize their ideas etc.

In the second part of the day we did another project related to migrants, also in the same teams, then we presented it in front of the others.

At the end of the day, we had free time and we used it to go to the pool, gym, eat or as everyone wanted.

"We had no idea there are such enterprises & organizations working for social benefit. It was very eye-opening."

-Fabiana

6TH DAY: IDEAS INTO ACTION

WRITTEN BY PAULA THE BROWN

The sixth day we started it by doing energizers as every day, for one of them we had to put half of the group in front of the other, and run looking for the number that was us but in front of us. After activation we did the first exercise of the day, an exercise in business entrepreneurship, where we had to create an ideal business and answer several questions that we had made on paper and then present it to everyone, the theme would be the situation of refugees and their need for integration. From this we would choose the idea of which we would make a brief summary, the strengths we had and the problems it could have, for example external competition among others, on the other hand, we had to place a detailed budget, taking into account materials, salaries and any necessary economic amount. We would then present it in groups, which would give room for different questions. One of the ideas of one of the groups was a café where refugees could work.

The idea is not that the refugees will always work there, but rather that they will develop their skills and become more integrated into society. How else can this integration be achieved? Café customers can optionally add an additional 20% to their bill, which will be used to train the refugees in the language of the host country. So that they can develop better communication skills. Also in this take-away cafe people could pay for food they were not going to consume, e.g. an extra coffee, an extra pasta dish (of their choice) so that refugees with worse economic situations could go to the cafe and ask if there is paid food and consume it. Many interesting ideas came up as well. This gave way to the questions, where they asked about weaknesses or hobbling feet of each project in order to be able to solve these weaknesses and turn them into strengths. The next activity of the day was to divide into groups (video group, newsletter group ...) to develop our activities separately, the video group asked to divide into national groups to perform a little dance to put it as an intro to the video. The rest of the groups divided their tasks and worked on their part.

BARBECUE NIGHT

WRITTEN BY ZEYNEP

"Though we were enjoying some really delicious meals prepared in the hotel for us, various and tasty dishes, the barbecue this evening topped it and took it to another level - prepared with passion and for

the

whole

group,

our

did

an

Georgi

coordinator

outstanding job bringing up these grilled goods on our table, and us enjoying it to the fullest - the vibe was definitely on."

-Yordan R. "I am foodie and

today's barbecue

was the best food I have eaten .

Giorgio Armani cookes better than Royal Bansko Hotel. Ljutenica is embraced ketchup. I cannot imagine next barbecue without it."

-Annie "The food was amazing. Everything was very good. Georgie did almost everything on his own and made such

an

effort

delicious food."

-Agatha

to

provide

us

7TH DAY: THE LAST DAY!

WRITTEN BY FABIANA

On our last day we met in the conference room and made a very relaxing energiser massaging each other’s shoulders and making pizza. Then we started our first activity by sharing all we know about Erasmus + programme and European Solidarity Activity. After a long session of speech and questions, we planned what we are going to do with all the information we have collected once we’ll come back to our respective countries, in order to spread the word and raise even more awareness among people about refugees crisis. Then, we got our youth pass and shared a very emotional moment hugging each other. After that, we went outside and took a group photo with the certificates and then jumped as if we were in a movie. Finally, we worked on the final outcomes and we are just waiting to find out our secret friend and enjoy the last party.

Question: who’s going to cry?

The project was an amazing experience, where I met many people with different paths and mindsets. It was extremely nice to hear other points of view about the topic connected with integration and entrepreneurship. I gained a lot of knowledge and for sure, I developed myself. I think it was a nice choice to participate in it and if I have the opportunity, I'll do it again.

Desi, Bulgaria

I really liked this project in terms of the information that we received. I found the workshops to be very interesting. This was not my first international project and I feel the best in an international environment, and this group did not disappoint me.

Emilia, Romania

I am very happy to be involved in this project. I had ideas on many subjects. I enjoyed making presentations very much. I have made very good friendships. I had a lot of fun at culture nights. I tasted many different flavors. I watched beautiful dances. I enjoyed watching different cultures.

Duru, Turkey

I feel very grateful to have such a beautiful experience with amazing people for the very first time. I managed not only to adapt to any content but also raised more awareness about important topics I have never discussed so deeply before. Finally, this week gave me the opportunity to think more about my future and who I really want to become and I’m looking forward to enjoying other moments like these.

Fabiana, Italy

I found the project very informative. Topics tackled were very interesting from the perspective of someone living in a country which didn't open up for refugees as much as other ones. It was nice to meet open minded people and get to know their opinions. Project helped me broaden my understanding of different cultures and their approach to the problem of emigration and refugees. It was a fun and very informative week.

Piotr, Poland

Whatever you think an Erasmus is, probably you have a reason. Whenever and wherever you think it could happen, pretty sure you are right. An Erasmus project is not only the greatest week that you can experience, and not only take place that week, its continues at home, at our countries where we will come back with our backpacks full of new experiences, knowledge and friends from other countries, cultures and mentality, with whom we have shared time, food, drink, hugs, swims and even deep conversations about our life, becoming more than friends in few days.

Erasmus project is not a workshop, is a life changing experience, a way to grow up and learn that doesn't matter how far away lives someone or which culture he/she comes from, because all of us are in the same ship, the World where we need to learn how to live with each other.

Gabriel, Spain

The current newsletter is created as outcome of project ''Entrepreneurship 4 Integration"with project number 2020-3-BG01KA105-094735, cofunded by Erasmus + program. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission or National Agency cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.