Elisa’s in Jászberény
Elisa, an AIESEC volunteer from Italy.
Jászberény 12th November: The last day has arrived. This experience could not have ended better: I spent this last time in company of these beautiful girls (Kinga, Melitta and Klaudia). Unfortunately we had to change our original plan for the day due to force majeure – it rained uninterruptedly – so instead of going to a festival that was taking place outside, we opted to spend the morning at the Csopa, an interactive exhibitions about science, physics, astronomy and scientific subjects in general, in which you can observe the experiments’ reactions and personally participate in games and demonstrations. We had a great fun challenging us in the various tests.
Then we stopped at Tesco supermarket, because I wanted to buy a basket full of Turo Rudi to bring home in Venice together with other typical products. Following the advice of the girls, I bought what I need to replicate some Hungarian recipe for my family.
After coming back to the K9 college, we spent the last night talking about our everyday lives and our experiences, drinking tea and playing cards. In fact they taught me one of the classics of Hungarian card games, which looked very similar to Italian ‘briscola’. I am glad I had the opportunity to have met these brilliant students, too bad it did not happen before. For sure we’ll keep in touch, hoping for meeting again in the future.
The bags are already packed, now it’s time to go home.
Jászberény, 11th November: It starts officially my last weekend in Hungary, to be precise in Budapest. Before leaving for the last destination, to the capital, Tamas, Máté and Roli brought me a huge traditional Hungarian breakfast in my room – it was a small last care for me. I felt like a princess! The last hugs were crowned by the promise to meet again in Venice. I look forward them with anxiety and I leave this beautiful town a little bit less sad because I know we will meet again for sure.
Then other students, Ildi and I visited the Café Community on the Buda side, which hosts all the graphics and media managers who work not only for famous international brands, but also for the Csányi Foundation. Some employees have organized a seminar about creating effective advertising and animation. It was very interesting, although it was in held in Hungarian – but one of them translated for me.
Then I officially abandoned even the rest of the group. I met three fantastic university students (Kinga, Melitta and Klaudia), which will host me for this last weekend in their college. A great harmony was immediately created between us. I shared with them my experience and we talked at length about their impressions on their program as members of the Foundation. Melitta is a very good cook, prepared an excellent Hungarian dinner. Then we relaxed after the long day watching a Disney movie, in the original language to exercise our English. I am happy to be here with them, for sure their company will make my last day unforgettable!
Jászberény, 10th November: The long-awaited mentor meeting finally arrived. After a long queue (the traffic-jam in Budapest is terrible), we reached the district of Buda, where the secret base of all the Foundation’s staff work. It was great to be able to see again and hug all the mentors of the various community houses just before coming back to Italy. I had the chance to say goodbye for the last time. The night before I prepared a typical Italian cake, the Salame di Cioccolato (Chocolate Salami), to thank them and try to sweeten the long day of work.
Leonardo and I have instead used our free time to visit what remained to see in the city. We walked along Margaret Island and then we went to Szent Istvan Bazilika. We visited the cathedral inside (the architecture is magnificent and building so majestic), then we climbed up the tower in order to enjoy the view of the city from above. During lunch Leo’s friend joined us, Manuela, an Italian student attending the university in Budapest. It was strange to speak Italian again with someone after so long time! It was almost hard to find the right words! Then we were invited by the Pécs Radio to take part in their radio show: the students interviewed us, questioning about our experience with the children and our time spent in this country. It was very exciting to know that some listeners were interested in our stories!
The last evening in Jászberény ended with eating pizza together with Roli, Máté, Ádám and Tamas – as this adventure had begun, it has ended in the same way. All of us tried to hide sadness, so we spent one last nice evening together! I will extremely miss them!
Jászberény,8th November: During these days we always woke up very early. This is the last week and tasks are so many: this morning the destination is Budapest. Accompanied by the mentor Tamas, three students of the Foundation and I participated in an open-day organized by McDaniel College in Budapest, to inform prospective students about the various programs that the university offers. The students listened with great interest to a presentation about the college, the education provided and the various opinions and impressions of some students no longer freshmen. To follow we attended the lessons of some professors, held entirely in English language. This can become a great opportunity for the future carrier of this teenagers, as well as a trampoline for the United States.
After we had lunch at the Arena Plaza, the largest shopping center of Budapest and the entire Hungary. The girls spent their free time doing a little shopping in the different stores, while David and I have been drinking a cappuccino and a lemonade at Café Frei, who reminded me of my first days in Pécs – it is a bar where I used to go, such nostalgia! Once back in Jászberény, my afternoon ended with a walk around the centre with Roli.
Time is running out, but I will try to do my best in the last few days! In fact, now I have to finish preparing the lesson for the group of the little children.
Jászberény,7th November: It is the beginning of the last week in this country of whom I am madly in love. So which better way to start this week with a trip to Eger? But before I attended during the morning Tamas’ Physical Education lesson in the gymnasium of Jászberény. I needed to do some sport because since I have been here I stopped training myself, but sadly all the children of 12 years of age were in much better shape than me. We played dodgeball and other games and girls have even beaten the boys during the last match. Tamas is a perfect teacher, managing to combine discipline and fun. During the following two lessons I partecipated in English classes with older students. I showed them a presentation and then followed a friendly discussion. They were all interested in what I am doing here, my studies and why I chose Hungary as a destination.
In the afternoon Roli, Máté, Tamas and I have met some university students in the town of Eger, which is maybe now my favorite. We walked around the town and visited the castle, from which the view was beautiful. We also tested ourself with the Escape Room challenge: we have been closed in a sort of prison-labirint, from which we had to escape solving some puzzles and enigmas. For me it was more difficult to follow the game due to the fact that I don’t speak Hungarian, but an excellent team-work allowed us to complete the mission!
It has been a long day, but full of satisfaction!
Jászberény, 6th November: During this free Sunday I breathed a bit of my country, Italy. I am far away from home for over a month (I had homesickness, but that’s normal), so to recall my traditions I decided to prepare something typical during the morning. I I had shopping in the supermarket with the boys, in order to prepare with them Carbonara pasta, one of the most famous dishes of Italian cuisine. Surprisingly we found all the proper ingredients (even the pecorino romano!). We followed the original recipe to the letter during the preparation and, although there was some problem with the burner, the result was satisfaying. The dessert included a giant Túró Rudi – they are delicious, I would like to be able to start a trafficking business of turo.
We spent the afternoon together, talking about the music we usually listen to and exchanging songs of famous bands’ or singers in our countries. Some songs had a good rhythm, while others I have to admit that I liked less. The evening ended with an invitation to Roli’s home. I met his whole family, all delightful people, who have welcomed me with open arms into their home. The mother, an excellent cook, prepared pancakes with chocolate, jam and turo, of which I ate one for every flavours. The evening passed too quickly: despite the difficulties in the communication, with the help of Roli as the official translator we managed many interesting conversations. It was a good opportunity to see the daily evening life of a normal Hungarian family. I hope we would see again before coming back home!
Jászberény, 5th November: This day was very important for the boys and girls of the Foundation because it was the time for the second round of the Grammar Competition, which implicate the selection of the best language students ??and the resulting assignment of a travel abroad to exercise the various languages. You could feel the anxiety in the air, all the students were very focused. After this challenge, it was my turn put me to the test: I had a lesson with the group of the oldest students, during which I showed them a presentation about Venice, my hometown. Later it came out a discussion on stereotypes about Italians and what Hungarian people think of them. These are the moments of real education, when cultural exchange is at the highest level and allows the development of interesting and constructive discussions.
The afternoon was dedicated to football. I attended the match of the Jászberény team and then a small tournament, in which Adám and Roli were playing. Tamás, Máté and I cheered for them from the stands. The weather wasn’t good, because it was very cold and ray, but I resisted because I wanted to see them play and support them.
After an hot shower to warm up, we had dinner at Tamas’ house, who had prepared for us a super meal in perfect Hungarian style: broccoli soup, goulash leves, chicken and other delights! The evening ended with a match at table football.
I feel like a princess in this small group of men, which are always reserving me a thousand cares and attention!
Jászberény 4th November: In Jászberény I live in a college not far from the Foundation’s house community, because there isn’t the guest room. This is positive because a small morning walk helps me to wake up my mind before facing the challenges of the day. But the poor mentors have to live with my innate Italian delay of ten minutes. By the way I swear that I will try to change this bad habit! The girls of the small group were already at work when I arrived. We have together prepared some small decorations with felt and we have built small bracelets and necklaces. The girls sang and danced all the time, we confide to each others our secrets about our friendships and guys that we like, as if we were all members of the Sleepover Club. These little monkeys full of energy are so cute. After lunch David and Bence have accompanied me to visit the museum of Jászberény, about which my brilliant guides have told me the history. Then, after a brief stop at the minimarket with Bence, I have attended as a spectator a traditional dance lesson. It was very interesting – in Italy there is nothing like that and we have almost totally lost the tradition of folkloric dances. Here it is a popular activity and it is beautiful how this people try to preserve their roots. All the dancers were great and professional! The evening ended with some talks in front of a coffee with a little special group that naturally has been formed!
Jászberény 3. November: The morning was dedicated to physical activities, in fact, I helped the the group of the little ones in a physical education lesson – but not the classic and banal school lesson, indeed many sports have been practiced all along. Initially all the children took part in a table tennis session, during which my challenger, although he is a very young boy, gave me a hard time! In the outfield males have trained in some foul shots at basketball. Then we played a football match in mixed teams in the indoor gym. But the funniest moment was playing bowling in a space nearby the Foundation. For many children it was the first time, but after some initial difficulties all have learned how to play. The girls cheered for each pin hit by each friend, jumping for the joy, instead among boys a positive competition was created. Niki, Brigi and Tina, my companions on the bowling alley, have improved a lot during the lesson!
Then we ate pizza together in the community house for lunch. In the afternoon I visited, accompanied by the group of 15-years-old students, the Eagles’ Centre near Jászberény. We saw different types of birds, including eagles, hawks and owls, most of them injured due to accidents of various kinds and now under the care of the responsibles of the center. Thanks to the simultaneous translation of Roli, I had the occasion to listen to the guide and take part in the visit. It always amazes me the high English level of these students – even if so young, they are really good!
Jászberény 2nd November:
After a short weekend spent visiting the capital, it has began for me (this time officially) my new adventure in Jászberény. It is the period of autumn holidays for students, who until Monday will not return to school, so the program does not foresee boring lessons, but instead an excursion. The group consisted of about 50 people, including mentors, children and teenagers. The first stage of the trip was the Gödöllo Royal Castle, a beautiful building in the famous baracco style for being the summer residence of princess Sissi. The visit to the palace was very interesting, the second largest residence in Europe. Some of the older boys in turn lent themselves as translators of the guide. Then we had lunch together in a restaurant, I sit at the table with the boys.
In the afternoon we visited the zoo dedicated to bears, in which there were also other kinds of animals: reindeer, wolves, raccoons, and so on. It was a very nice moment for sharing, during which I was able to talk with several teenagers and in relaxedr. The first contact with them is always best during a leisure activity than the classroom lecture.
But today I was a student for a day, because on the return bus trip a group of beautiful girls taught me so many new words in Hungarian and the numbers from 1 to 100. In the end I had a mess in my head, but tomorrow They will help to repeat and go over the things learned. The evening ended with a pizza and a few games of table footballon boys, thanks to which in just two days I feel fully part of this new group!
Jászberény 30th Oktober:
Some of the children of all the different community houses took parte at the first football tournament of the Foundation, so in the morning the Nagybajom Sports Center has hosted a large number of players and the mentors from all the various locations. It was a good opportunity to see again the people known during the previous weeks, especially to embrace both mentors and children of the community of Pécs, for which of course I had a special consideration. Between one match and another I could spend some time with everyone. I had lunch with Leonardo, the volunteer from Costa Rica: we exchanged our impressions on our respective experiences and plans for this holiday weekend.
Then I quickly finished to pack my luggages and said goodbye for the last time to this little village where I spent two intense, but wonderful, weeks. At each new start, thinking back to the days just passed, it always amazes me the fact that I have learned so many new things. I hope I have left too, with my simple actions, a sign in the lives of these people who have given me so much.
It has been a long journey to reach Jászberény, but something very beautiful happened: I usually have found some difficulty in the first approach with the guys, because of shyness and maybe some initial diffidence. But unexpectedly the new students were super-friendly and very talkative. During the four hours trip I could not sleep because everyone was curious to introduce himselves and tell me about expectations for the next weeks we are going to spend together. After having reached my new room and received everything I need for breakfast (Judit is my new big sister, how much attention and care she has for me!), the guys showed me the town by night and we ate pizza together (I have to admit that Hungarian pizza is almost as good as the Italian!).
I am really excited to be here and I’m sure I will spend a fantastic time with this new group.
Nagybajom, 28th October: The morning passed quickly. I helped the mentors to handle the final preparations for the soccer tournament that is going to be held here tomorrow in Nagybajom (everything must be perfect!). It is a very important event for all the males because it will decide the selection of the future Csanyi’s football team. I also completed to program for my short trip to Budapest – I only have two days to visit the city, so it will be better to have an itinerary to follow.
In my last full day in Nagybajom I received one last surprise! In the afternoon, after the math lesson, the younger children of Szilvi’s group gathered around me to say one last time goodbye. So I found myself sitting in the middle of a semicircle: Szilvi made a short speech on behalf of all. I was so touched! Surely in this small village I have learnt the true meaning of the term family, which goes beyond the limits of kinship, as care and respect for all. A special mention to Pisti which played an important function as an interpreter.
During the evening we reached Kaposvár to take part in a very important event for the young members of the Foundation, which sees them as the real protagonists of the decisions about their future: the Children’s Parliament. It was great to see the delegates of each community house discuss regarding future activities, excursions and some improvements to be implemented. It is right that they are the true spokespersons of what they really need, taking note of their responsibilities.
It has been a long day, I have to go to sleep as soon as possible ahead of the big event of tomorrow!
Nagybajom, 27th October: Initially this day didn’t expect great programs, but Szilvi arrived in the community house this morning bringing with her a good news: ‘Elisa, get ready because we are going to visit the University of Kaposvár!’. It is actually true tha Italians are always late, so I hurriedly dressed. Once all together we left.
Having conversations while traveling in the car I discovered that this is the university where Andris and Patrick studied and graduated – I really like that I have the possibility to discover and visit all the places that formed the wonderful people who my mentors are. A nice Indian boy named Harsha has been our guide during the tour of the buildings. We saw the classrooms, offices, library, dormitory, common areas, sports facilities and all the meeting places of the students attending this university. I compared the University of Venice with a typical Hungarian university – here there is a great and only one structure with all the comforts, however in Venice classrooms are located in the different parts of the city, so you must run fast in order to arrive on time to the next lesson. We also talked a lot about how he feels being a foreign student. It really impressed me the fact that Harsha has a lot of friends who are natives of the place or Hungarians. Last year I spent three months in Moscow and even during such a long period I were rarely able to get in contact with Russians. Before arriving in Hungary I thought that the Hungarians were like Russians – not very friendly, rude and always sullen; but my predictions were totally unfounded, because here I have always met very open-minded, helpful and kind people. I had the proof from Harsha, who has lived here for a longer time than me, that the Hungarians are very friendly people!
In the afternoon I met the older group with whom I spent a great time chatting and playing videogames. I also booked my stay in Budapest for the next week: I am excited and I can’t wait to visit the capital!
Nagybajom, 26th October: The autumn has arrived and Halloween is very close, so also the house community in Nagybajom has changed in her appearance. We spent the morning trying to decorate the common room and the classes using the colors related to this season – yellow, orange, red and brown – eliminating the old spring decorations. We have also added some details about Halloween celebration, as little ghosts, scary bats and spider webs. I drew a lot of cute pumpkins, the well-known Jack lanterns – It was long time since I drew the last time, but I used to like drawing pictures so it was nice to pretend to return a child and rediscover this hobby that I haven’t practiced anymore.
In the afternoon the entire team of Nagybajom met for a precise mission. I, the mentors, Tünde and, as a special guest, Ms. Mária went in the house community of Kaposvár to prepare one of the traditional desserts of Hungarian cuisine: the rétes. Tünde and Mária are two important figures in their village, as they hand down this ancient typical dish with all its variants. I discovered that the rétes can satisfy any diner as there are many different flavours, for all tastes! We used the cherries, the sour cream, semolina, cabbage and more. Ms. Mária has repeatedly invited me to get my hands dirty, so I took the opportunity to learn from this brilliant cook! Once back in Italy I will make rétes for my family, maybe creating my own Italian version We baked everything and we prepared so many rétes as if we were working in a professional pastry-place. And then of course we ate everything! It was a great afternoon, I also learned a lot of new words while trying to write down the recipe.
Now we have five mentors in Nagybajom, because you never change a winning team!
Nagybajom, 25th October: Sometimes it happened to think that not even my family spoils me so much. Today the mentors gave me a great gift, which I couldn’t unwrap because it wasn’t something material, but much more important. They donated me the memory of a breathtaking panorama. The awakening was a little bit anticipated than usual because the program included a trip to Balaton lake, which is sitatued about 60 kilometers far from Nagybajom. After driving one hour by car, we finally arrived at Balaton, which is the largest lake of Central Europe, so vast that I wasn’t able to see his end. The feeling was like being on the shore of a sea surrounded by the hills – the blue colours of sky and water were separated from the green countryside. I took as many pictures as possible, even if I’m waiting to receive those made by Patrick with the professional camera.
We returned to the house community for lunch – I had lunch together with Szilvi and Andris, but the latter certainly didn’t realize that he had abounded with the portions. For sure I will not go back home slimmed down! In the afternoon I met the group of the older students. We took part in a lesson organized by Annette, the English teacher. I helped them practising the language in order to imporve for their final exam of English language and then we talked about traditions related to the upcoming Halloween party. It has been a day full of adventures, tomorrow I expect to live many more for sure!
Nagybajom, 24th October: The second week in Nagybajom has just began and finally we are all together again. The men are back from their short trip to Transylvania, where it was held a football tournament in which the Csányi Foundation football team participated. Even if tired from the long journey, our champions were back, showing a big smile for the victory against the Transylvanians. After discussing about which will be the program for the last week (I can’t wait to take part in all the activities that are waiting me), Szilvi helped me to plan a mini-stay in Budapest during the holidays of the early of November – I will not leave this wonderful country until I have visited its wonderful capital!
Then Patrik and Andris took me to the village of Böhönye, were they were born and grown up and nowadays live. I was very happy to have spent the afternoon with them, so as to make up the lost time and have the chance to converse. They showed me the village, the park with the statues to the heroes fallen during the war, the primary school, which they had attended together (I saw the pictures hung in the main corridor about when they were young students and great friends) and where Andris had worked for some time. After a short coffee break, we saw quickly the fire station. At the library we took part in the jury of a small competition for the most beautiful Halloween pumpkin. The atmosphere was very suggestive, with all the illuminated pumpkins created by the children; it was very nice to be part of this small but characteristic event. We tried not to be too strict with the votes, but fair in our judgments. I am very happy to have taken part in this initiative in the village where the two mentors live, because it made me feel part of the community and at the same time closer to the culture of this place!
Nagybajom, 22nd October: Today all the groups have been reunite in the house community, it has been a day of recreation. I spent most of the morning with the older ones, we relaxed in the common room upstairs and we spent time together as boys of our age like to do: listening to music, playing videogames and telling each other about our lives. I discovered good Hungarian music and how relations work between 18-years-old teenagers.
Then I attended a lesson organized by Sasa, one of the mentors of the community house of Kaposvár, for the younger children. It was a very beautiful moment, most of the games carried were about sharing inner emotions with the rest of the group. The activities (mostly to do in pairs) made possible to develop a special feeling with the partner, with the result of helping to express ourselves and listen to others. The children made me a gift to commemorate our friendship, a little souvenir that I will always bear in my heart. The children were organized in two parallel rows, looking at each other. Sasa blindfolded me and then I walked slowly into this corridor between the two rows, while the kids were whispering in my ear their thoughts, hugging and kissing me. Without the sense of sight, all their actions and words were even more intensified, the emotions I felt were very strong, positive and so intense! Today Tünde also gave the best of themselves in the kitchen, preparing a lot of Hungarian dishes, all super-delicious! Now I have the fridge full of food – my mom will surely be as happy as me. I also received regalto a present from her, a wooden spoon with an engraved sentence to remember these brief but intense cooking lessons. I’m not a good at cooking, but with a teacher as good as her you can’t go wrong!
In the afternoon I discovered the small village of Nagybajom, walking around the various streets.
Nagybajom, 20th October: The bad weather for sure would not have stopped this brief excursion to the town of Kaposvár. As previously mentioned, men have left us alone for a few days, so we are the real queens of the house community now. Before lunch Szilvia, Tünde and I left to meet another their dear friend, Sasa, in the headquarters of the Csányi Foundation of the regional capital. Unexpected misty-rain threatened our day, but fortunately when we arrived in Kaposvár the weather improved and we were able to visit walking far and wide. First of all we had lunch in a typical restaurant near the foundation – I love the Hungarian cuisine, it always has these strong flavors, a bit spicy. Although I must admit that the soup prepared by Tünde remains the most delicious soup eaten until now. Then we met Sasa, who showed us the house community of Kaposvár, which is very modern and comfortable, completely decorated with drawings and decoupage works. Sasa was very kind and has proposed to host me there when will come Leonardo, the other AIESEC volunteer from Costa Rica, so that we can spend time together again to exchange suggestions and debate on current events of our parallel experiences.
Then we took a walk to the center – everything was ready for the celebration on Sunday 23rd October of the national holiday that commemorates the rebellion of the Hungarians against the Soviet repression. We saw the square and the main church and then we relaxed doing a little shopping at the department store. Of course, I bought another book, the third since I arrived in this country. I will for sure have problems with my luggages’ weight if i don’t stop buying romances. It was great to spend a day with all women.
Now I still have some time before going to bed to finish preparing the lessons for tomorrow! It will be a very important day!
Nagybajom, 18th October: I knew that this day would have been harder than the previous one, since it is hugely more difficult to approach with younger students than older ones. Yesterday I had not encountered big problems with the 18-years-old group, a very friendly atmosphere was immediately created – the challenge today was different, because it was the turn of the middle group, composed of children under 15 years old. So, I woke up early in the morning to complete the final arrangements and make the last changes to my presentation for the lesson in the afternoon. But before lunch I had a big surprise! Italy is famous worldwide for its cuisine, but even if I come from this food-paradise, I am completely unable to cook – instead, among us in the community house there is someone who is able to cook very well, in a professional way. Tündi made two Hungarian recipes, ‘tökleves’ and ‘hókifli’, of which I took notes during the preparation. It was a very funny moment, with some ups and downs we managed to translate and transcribe the recipes. The taste was perfect, certainly the most delicious soup I’ve eaten since I arrived in this country! After lunch Patrick and Andris left for Transylvania, in order to compete in a soccer tournament with the team of the Foundation. They will remain in Romania until Saturday, so for the moment the community house is all for the girls. A famous Italian proverb immediately came to mind, which I found it to exist also in the Hungarian popular culture: ‘Nincs otthon to macska, czinczognak az egerek’. Who knows if we will get in troubles in the coming days with no men in the house! In the afternoon I met the children, an energetic group although initially a bit shy – after introducing ourselves, I showed them a presentation about Italians and stereotypes releted to them, having a discussions about the veracity or otherwise of these sentences. Afterwards we continued to talk, exposing the differences between our two countries and our life’s. The level of English is very high for kids of their age, so it will be interesting to continue talking with them over the next few days. We immediately established a relationship of equality, as we were longtime friends! But there will be time to know each other better!
Nagybajom, 18th October: I must admit that before coming here I hadn’t the slightest idea about the next destination that was going to reach, Nagybajom precisely. After two amazing weeks spent in Pécs, the comparison between the two places was inevitable. ‘It is a small village! Instead Pécs is a town’- and these words are true. The day began with a super breakfast prepared by the mentors, who have proven to be so careful and kind to me. The communication between us is great fun, because it is like a mix of the four languages ??(English, Russian, Hungarian and Italian) to which you can also add body language to complete this bizarre situation. But I would like to let them know that a simple ‘köszönöm’ can’t contain how much I am grateful to them – in the next few days I will try to find the right method for better understanding each other. In the afternoon I met László, an 18-years-old member of the Foundation, who helped András and me in the distribution of some ham in the villages around Nagybajom. It was during this little trip that I really found out where I am: small houses, dirt roads, farms and domestic animals, as well as wild ones, children playing football along the moats and the colors and the simple beauty of the landscape composed of corn fields. I understood that the comparison is not necessary: these two weeks will give me the chance to discover another side of this country, such beautiful and essential as that of the town. I silently and secretly took some pictures of the houses along the way: scrutinizing them, I can say to be so happy to be here, because this time spent in Nagybajom will be an opportunity to deepen a different reality of Hungary and its rural traditions. I can’t wait to meet tomorrow the children and listen them while describing these places and their traditions!
Nagybajom, 16th October: The awakening was a little bitter, because of the awareness of having to abandon the place that for two weeks has been my house. After taking a shower, I cleaned the room and I finished to pack my luggages for the transfer. Waiting for me in the office there was a beutiful surprise! Both Andi and her son Tamas. It was great to meet the little one, a child full of energy and with smart eyes. We had lunch together between thousand laughs and Tamas’ constant question: ‘But why don’t you speak in Hungarian? I can’t understand anything!’. Then we had shopping at Arkád shopping center, where we took a lot of selfies with The Avengers superheroes and Tamas received a box full of Lego, his favorite game! We played together in the community house. We also had a break having a coffee at Andi’s house – it was a pleasure for me to be her guest, she is like a sister to me and I love the fact that we have created this great feeling between us! After lunch we left for Nagybajom. The journey took about an hour but time passed quickly between conversations and recommendations. At the arrival, Szilvia, one of my three new mentors, welcomed us together with some boys from the Foundation and her two daughters. The community house is wonderful and everyone did his best in order to make me feel like at home immediately. To break the ice we had an ice cream all together in the ice cream parlour of this small village. Even if the communication can be a bit difficult, I am sure that with the help of the language of gestures, good intentions and the kindness of these people it would be possible to understand each others easily. The melancholy of leaving a fantastic place like Pécs has given the way to the enthusiasm for this new adventure! I am super ready to do my best!
Pécs, 15th October: Due to the fact that I had the some free time in the morning, I made up for lost sleep during this super-intensive week. Luca woke me up, knocking on the door of my room for a final goodbye before my departure. I was sorry that we exchanged our greetings while I was still very sleepy, but I am positive and I know that we will see each other again for sure! Then I started to pack quietly my luggages and after getting dressed I went lunch. Along the road back to the community house a little library called Libri, which literally means ‘books’ in Italian, intrigued me – so I decided to buy there a copy of ‘Le Petit Prince’ translated in Hungarian, a famous children’s book which I collect in all languages ??of the countries I visit. And now I have my copy in Hungarian language. In the afternoon I met for the last time the Edina’s group, my little monkeys, and together we visited a small museum dedicated to the sweet Teddy Bear, in all its forms and varieties. The children actively contribute to the visit and were very excited – time ran fast between laughter and curiosity. This afternoon spent with them was the most beautiful gift as a final goodbye. I also had the pleasure of knowing the Edina’s son, a super smart guy with the passion for photography – we talked a lot about his photos and he helped me to understand some mechanisms of the Hungarian language. By the end of my stay I want to be able to say at least the common expressions used in everyday life. To cheer me up from the melancholy of the last night I had a coffee at Cafč Frei in the Kiraly street and I walked for the last time around the centre. I am sure I will miss this town made up of many kind hearts.
Pécs, 14th October: Before leaving to join this experience I did not believe that it would be possible to grow fond so much to a place, to a city and especially to people in a limited time period such as two weeks. To describe my experience in Pécs I have to resort to a word that exists only in Chinese language – ‘Tianlao’, which indicates a place closed on three sides, where it is easy to enter and from which it is difficult to get out. The arrival and the integration in the community house were very simple, thanks to the great care of everyone. So i quicly entered in this group, which I shall call family, and now that I have to go away it seems impossible to leave these people. I am stuck in the three walls, which I do not want to leave. Also today I met Bianca, a lovely girl who attends the University of Pécs, with whom I visited the botanical garden, climbed a hill to enjoy the landscape and conversed having a good coffee. I immediately realized that I had a special feeling with her, because we are very similar in many aspects and the conversation was never interrupted. I am so displeased to have met her just two days before my transfer. After coming back to the community house, the children and mentors were waiting for me with a surprise – they organized a little party to formalize the last goodbyes. I did not expect such a thing, the emotions were very strong and I had to hold back my deep feelings. The children then accompanied me for one last tour of the city – we took many photos and spent the last good time together, including a quick stop at their high school to look at one of their projects about the physical construction of a telegraph. Now I am sadly beginning to pack my luggages, tonight I can’t think about the adventures that await me, but only how I will miss Pécs!
13th October: The alarm clock sounded at 5 in the morning, because the journey to reach Budapest is very long. Why Budapest? Because every second Thursday of the month in the capital a meeting between all mentors from the several community houses is held, in order to discuss the general situation and the individual headquarters of the Foundation, the program for the next month and any problem. Previously we met in Mohacs with the mentors of the community house of this little town and then we have driven for two and a half hours to Budapest. I slept a little in the car during the trip, but I also made a pleasing talk with Andi and Gergo! Our destination was a small villa where the meeting was to be held. I met all the members of the Foundation and Judit, too – we greeted each others with hugs, like a numerous family. Then the adults began their work and we went in the centre in order to spend our free time around the city. The group was formed by Leonardo, another AIESEC volunteer, and some university students (Milan, Patti and Dorothy) that would have been our guides for the day showing us the city. Budapest is simply spectacular, the Danube divides the city into two completely different parts, as if it was a great ying and yang. We walked in both parts and we saw the Parliament, the Statue of Liberty and Heroes’ Square. Then we had lunch with traditional Hungarian food in a very characteristic place. I really enjoyed this opportunity to meet with these great guys, who have spent their time for us – and even converse with Leo, with whom I compared our tasks of volunteers. I feel enriched by this experience more and more every day. After this long day, I will try to rest to give my best in the last few days in Pécs!
12nd October: Last night it rained a lot – it was an omen for the day to follow. Indeed, today was, psychologically, the most exhausting day since I have arrived in Pécs. But after all life is not just a bed of roses, some difficulty may happen along the way. I made a presentation about Italians’ typical behavioural rules and their special gesture language in two different schools, but something during during the morning did not work. The audience was made up of children of 12 years, of which I was not not able to capture the attention, even proposing an interactive final game. I displeasured not being able to entertain in a positive way the class, but, surely, I will make treasure of this defeat to improve myself and try to do my best during the upcoming occasions. I will try to understand deeply the reasons about children’s inattention and the weak points of the lesson in order to better organize the work for the next time. I was comforted by the fact that in the school that I have visited in the afternoon the children liked my presentation, and even ones at Csányi Foundation, to whom I repeated the lesson. It was an important moment of cultural exchange and it raised the day started badly. After class I attended with the children an orientation course on the choice of high school – it was nice to see the children interested and informed about their future. The day ended with greetings – we will see on Friday for the last party together. I don’t want to leave, I will for sure hide them in my luggages and bring them with me to Nagybajom!
11th October: This morning I slept a little more – it seems a trifle, but this experience is helping me to be less lazy and to respect a schedule. In general, Italians are latecomers and I am habitually late, too – but here I am trying to respect my time-table as much as possible. Since I have been here, my new motto is ‘Do and not delay’.
We had some free time during the morning, so Andi and Luca accompanied me to take the earthenware cups that we had decorated last week. Mine is not particularly pretty, but it will remain a reminder of a great time spent with my mentors. After lunch I had lesson with the group of little ones. I had prepared in advance a presentation about the Venetian explorer Marco Polo, in order to allow children to get in touch and explore the adventures of this important figure who came from my city. Thanks to the help of the teacher Marta with the translation, the lesson was held in a very dynamic and interactive way, the children were interested in the subject and they participated actively, especially in the pronunciation of Italian names. A final quiz on the history of Marco Polo has proclaimed the boys as winners (they scored 14/14, amazing!), but everyone enjoyed the competition. This final game made possible for the children to remember some new vocabulary. During the break, we have instead talked about their hobbies and played together. These children are adorable, their hugs are among the most precious things I have found here!
10th October: It is the beginning of my second week here in Hungary, time is just slipping between my fingers. On Monday the children have no courses at the Foundation, so the morning began with some errands at the post office with Andrea. Before lunch we went to the department store to buy me a pair of gloves. The cold bites and I have to start to protect myself against low temperatures – but I am not missing the sun of Italy! In the canteen at lunch I enjoyed my meal, as always. When I come back home, I will bring with me three kilos more for sure, but Hungarian food is delicious! In the afternoon Dániel and István, two students at the faculty of engineering of Pécs, took me to visit their university. We visited the great hall, the library, the park, the dormitory – in short, the Pécs students are lucky, they benefit from this well-organized large complex. Later, I had the occasion to compare the university life in Venice with the one of this town, discussing with my two new friends. Monday is always the worst day of the week, but if my week started this way, I can only hope the best for my last days here!
8th October: On Monday, before coming to the Csányi Foundation in Pécs, I had a quick foretaste of Budapest – it has been just a little walk through the city before deeply venturing into the territory of Hungary. Today I went back to the capital with the whole group of children (the all three classes) and, sure, the mentors for a special occasion: the International Chess Festival. I am not a passionate about this game, I do not even know the rules. But it was a very nice event, an excursion which permit to combine the three groups and amalgamate the children. We also met the children of the other house communities, creating a rainbow with the all the colors of the different t-shirts (a color for every different community, we were the yellow ones representing Pécs). During the three-hour bus trip I was able to converse with older boys and also to play with the little ones. I have noticed a great spirit of community solidarity in everyone’s simple gesture of sharing candies and chocolate; it is known that children are usually very jealous of their sweets, but no one thought twice to offer their own to others. The first week is almost finished, tomorrow I will relax during my day off – but I don’t want to stop, expectations and positive emotions are growing more and more!
7th October: Last night I didn’t sleep a wink, perhaps because of the anxiety about what I would have to face the next day. Actually, I am a student at the faculty of Foreign Languages at the University of Venice, but I never thought of teaching in schools as a profession for my future. But today I had the chance to reevaluate the situation. I had the pleasure to hold four classes in one of the city’s high schools. I talked to the children about the Italian city of Venice, where I come from, and stereotypes about Italian people. Perhaps, this has been the most difficult but rewarding challenge this week: I had the opportunity to share fascinating aspects of my culture in more formal way and to see with my own eyes how high schools are organized (I couldn’t believe that Italian language is quite widespread!). The students reacted positively to my intervention and became involved, expressing doubts and questions through a linguistic mix of Italian and English languages. I will always remember this moment, not only as an important opportunity for intercultural exchange but also as an occasion of intense personal growth. In the afternoon I met Melinda, a beautiful student attending the University of Pécs, which showed me the city and the Vasarely’s art gallery. I had great fun with her! We have promised to meet again in the following days!
6th October: Oh, it is getting colder here in Pécs, the sun didn’t show up and a misty rain accompanied us during the entire day. But I have had the time to think about climate change just right now, while I am writing these few considerations about my day, because the emotions and this feeling of being like at home have warmed me up. This morning the mentors (which I shall call my older sisters) and I participated in a recreational activity decorating some earthenware cups. I am not a good painter, but it was very nice to spend some time together – even if not good looking, my creation will remain a beautiful souvenir and memory of today for the future. Unfortunately, the meeting with the university group has been postponed, but I’m sure that I will have the occasion to know these students next week. So, I had some free time in the afternoon. To better immerse myself in the culture of this country, I decided to look for some traditional saying and, while reading some Hungarian proverbs I found this one “Az én házam az én váram”, which I think describes my situation – in the community house, I feel just like a princess in her castle thanks to everybody’s loving care.
5th October: My second day in the community house of Pécs has just come to an end. I hope that this experience will continue to move in this direction, because I’m collecting new teachings in every little moment spent here. This morning the mentors, with the intention to make me feel at home and get closer to the city, have accompanied me at the info-point of Pécs to take some brochures and information about interesting places to visit. We also went shopping to spend some time together, before going to the canteen for lunch. It is said that Italian cuisine is the best in the world, but I have changed my mind – I have to contradict this general belief, because the typical dishes that I tasted here were all delicious! In the afternoon I took part in the English lesson with the fourteen-years-old group. The conversation, held in English with the help of their wonderful teacher, allowed us to share impressions, traditions and cultural differences between our countries. The children also wanted to teach me some Hungarian words, to help me manage everyday life. They have been so kind and they have done their best to include me in their group. At the end of the lesson, during the break, when it was possible to act more informally, Anna came telling me their secret – “We are a big family here! Even though in my school all children are not each others friends, here it is different. Everyone loves and supports each other!”. So, I’m glad to have received this first lesson from them, I will bear in my heart and mind forever!
4th October: We showed her around the community house and put her in the guest room. Elisa was given a map and directions a food and shops. We tried our best to make her feel at home. We finalised the programme for next week. After a long journey through the green countryside and corn fields, I have finally arrived in Pécs, which is my first destination. Before coming here in Hungary, I had decided not to look for photos about the places where I am going to spend six weeks according to the project Be An Impact for the Csányi Alapítvány, but only to read up something about the location and other little logistic information. The intent was avoiding me to create any expectations in order to not get upset. But, even thorough a more detailed research, I couldn’t imagine that my experience will take place in a lovely town (I really enjoyed the little walk, taking photos of the fantastic buildings in here), but, more important, to recieve such a warm welcome and hospitality, both by the staff of the foundation and the children I met this afternoon. Even if I have been here since few hours, it was possible to notice the kindness in everyone’s eyes – starting from the small things, such as eating together at the canteen, doing the shopping and having conversations with the kids during afternoon lessons. If I was initially a bit scared, now I immediately realized that this will be just the beginning of a wonderful adventure!