Hungary Team Journal

ATTENTION EASTERN EUROPE VOLUNTEERS

2011-04-28T16:20:00.000+02:00

New Service Adventures in Education, Childcare and Labor Available

A Season of New Beginnings in Romania and we want you to be a part of it all.

If your passion lies in serving at-risk youth, working with your hands, or if it's teaching that inspires you, we now have wonderful new opportunities for you to contribute in Romania. We have worked at the Tutova Children's Clinic since 1999 however in recent weeks, that Clinic has closed, and the children were relocated to new facilities. We now have the opportunity to help care for some of those same children at our new work sites, along with many more children needing your support. While we regret the Romanian government's decision to transform Tutova Hospital and Children's Clinic into a senior center, we were heartened by invitations from other child-focused community partners enabling us to serve the broader Barlad community.

One Door Closes...Others Open

Residents and staff of The Elena Farago Center in Barlad await Global Volunteers teams.

You'll be one of the first volunteers serving these new community partners. With that in mind, I'd like to ask you to do two things. First, please let me know which of the following volunteer options appeal to you the most. Second, because of the wide variety of new service opportunities, I ask that you invite others to join you on your service program as we establish our new relationships. Here's how you and your friends and companions can contribute:

First, Dr. Magdalena Cozma, director of Barlad's St. Nicholas Children's Hospital , has invited Global Volunteers to continue our work with at-risk children at her hospital. This is essentially the same work assignment as at Tutova -- holding, feeding and entertaining babies who need care. (As is so often the case, "when one door closes another one opens,"and some of the babies and toddlers on the other side of that door are from Tutova -- still counting on your love.) The children don't care that the door is different, just that you come through it!

Year-round service opportunities at George Tutoveanu School in Barlad. Volunteers are needed to teach conversational English to primary and middle school students during the school year and to middle and senior high students at English language summer camps. The focus is on conversation - visiting about everyday subjects and real-life situations so the students can increase their vocabulary and practice English language skills. While you'll teach in the classrooms, during the summer camps students also enjoy taking volunteers out to show them highlights of their city, such as museums, live theater, zoo, and public garden -- providing additional opportunities to interact while speaking English. This is a great new opportunity for your companions who may not be interested in caregiving assignments.

Third, if you enjoy working with your hands - repairing, painting and renovating buildings -- you're needed to help improve apartments at the Elena Farago Center. This is a rewarding opportunity to work alongside some of the residents and the local carpenters and handymen to make these homes more livable. What's more, we hope to establish a community garden project as our new partnerships progress so students and young adults can join the worldwide movement to understand and practice better nutrition choices.

You can also offer psychosocial support to teens and young adults for all our part of your volunteer assignment. The Elena Farago Center in Barlad cares for some 40 teens and young adults from age 12 to mid-20s. (Photo on top) Most of the residents are orphans, abused children, or from families too poor to care for them. About 10 percent have mental disabilities, and 20 percent are HIV positive or have AIDS, mostly contracted from blood transfusions. The residents live together in apartments, three to five per unit, with guidance from local staff. This is a great opportunity to help young boys and girls who are preparing for a productive and independent life. Initially, volunteers will befriend the residents by working with them on arts and craft projects, teaching how to cook nutritious meals, helping with homework, communicating in English, playing sports and more. We'll also tutor teens and young adults in conversational English at the Elena Farago Center, although teaching English will not be a full-time assignment at this facility.

Finally, if you have experience or interest in assisting children with autism and/or Down syndrome, you can serve at Barlad Center for Children with Disabilities. This is a multi-unit complex that cares for children with mental disabilities as well as those who are blind and deaf. This project can be a full-time or secondary project, splitting your work on one of the above primary projects.

We're very encouraged by these new service partnerships with local Romanian agencies and the expanded opportunities to engage volunteers in serving Romanian children. Your contribution now is more important than ever. Please allow me to answer your questions and fill you in with additional details on your upcoming service program. Again, we'd greatly appreciate you referring your friends and family members to serve with you or on other 2011 Romania service programs. Everyone makes a significant difference in this time of new beginnings on our Romania service program!

Global Volunteers Highlighted on Village Blog

2011-04-15T17:26:00.002+02:00

Imagine our surprise and excitement when we learned that a team of Global Volunteers was being highlighted on Hodmezovasarhely's community blog! We want to extend our deep gratitude to the community for their recognition and support, and we encourage you all to visit their blog to learn about our current volunteer team and the village.

Read on, and become inspired! You can still join us in Hungary in 2011 in September or October!!

Click here to access 'Hodmezovasarhely Direct Connection': http://hodmezovasarhely.blogspot.com/2011/04/global-volunteers-in-hodmezovasarhely.html

Humanitarian Airfare Opportunity

2011-04-01T22:08:00.003+02:00

If you're seeking great deals on airfare for a service program later this year or in 2012, check out Fly For Good where you can receive excellent discounts when you travel as a volunteer. Simply contact your Volunteer Coordinator today to learn more about this excellent opportunity (you will need to get an official letter from Global Volunteers to qualify for certain deals)!!

Fly For Good website: http://www.flyforgood.com/

We look forward to speaking with you soon!

Call toll free (800) 487-1074.

Global Volunteers Featured in AARP Bulletin!!

2011-03-12T00:43:00.001+01:00

Global Volunteers is excited and honored to be featured in the most recent edition of the AARP Bulletin!!

In the article "Boomers Mean Business," Global Volunteers is featured as an organization that allows boomers to "Do Good" in this world. Please read an excerpt of the piece below, or use the following link to read the whole article: http://www.aarp.org/work/work-life/info-02-2011/boomers-mean-business.4.html

As featured in AARP Bulletin:

DOING GOOD

In 1979, Michele Gran and Bud Philbrook, imbued with youthful idealism, spent part of their honeymoon in a mountain village in Guatemala, writing grant proposals for development projects.

Enthusiastic response to a newspaper story about their experience led them to found Global Volunteers in 1984, a nonprofit that sponsors two- to three-week volunteer vacations in Europe, South America, Asia and Africa. Volunteers care for children or work on long-term building projects. Today, boomers make up about 30 percent of their participants.

"When boomers started to turn 55, we started to see a significant uptick in interest in our trips," says Philbrook, 64. "They want to give something back, add meaning to their lives."

Peace Corps volunteers 60 and older have more than doubled in the past three years. And the foundation started by Microsoft's Bill Gates, 55, and his wife, Melinda, 46, has given more than $24 billion to U.S. and international causes.

The Magic of English

2011-02-16T18:02:00.007+01:00

Milt Diehl is Global Volunteers' American team leader for Hungary service programs. He recently reflected on the "magic" that happens in English language classrooms when volunteers and students work together.

Frequently on a service program, volunteers will come to me and report: “my schedule keeps getting changed all the time. They keep adding classes and the teachers are inviting me back to the same class many times because the students have asked for me to come back.”

Volunteers offer the students, who range in age from 10 years old to in their 60's and 70's, the opportunity to expand their personal development in a positive and beneficial way. Frequently adult students come to the free English language classes because they need to improve their language skills because of their work and are looking for a promotion (in their jobs) as they demonstrate increased English language proficiency.

The learning in a community is like casting a pebble into a pond. The “small rings of gentle waves” extend further into a community than one might first realize. It is not just what is taught in two weeks that is important but it is the impact of a continuous series of teams of volunteers who keep returning to a community and working with the residents. For those team leaders and volunteers who return to the same site many times it is possible for them to witness the progress over a period of time. Frequently the “local teachers of English” have already provided the students with the ability to communicate in English, but the student does not realize how much they have learned until they communicate with a native English speaking person for the first time and realize that yes, they understand what they are hearing, and the native English speaking person is understanding what I am saying. The confidence and motivation that students experience continues for a long period after the volunteers have returned to their homes.

Not only do the Hungarian teachers want the volunteers to come to their classes, but frequently the students request the volunteers for their classrooms. At some schools, it's common for students to approach the volunteers and invite them to come to their classes. On one occasion, a student specifically obtained approval of a local teacher, who the volunteer knew, and then the student's mother herself likewise contacted the volunteer with class times and days. This is an example of how students, teachers and parents interact with the volunteers and want their children to interact with “native English speakers.”

As important as teaching English is to the students, there is something that's even more important. The service programs provide the volunteers and residents of the host community an opportunity to live together, work together, share information about each others cultures, families, and realize very quickly that even though we live in different locations on planet earth we as people are so much more alike than we are different. There are strong bonds that are established in such a short time that seamlessly crosses over age, gender, and culture which will last for years. People realize that they have so much in common that mutual confidence, trust, and respect for each other that relationships last for years.

In some communities, the volunteers are the first native English speakers to whom the Hungarian teachers of English have ever talked to. Frequently the local English teachers are reluctant at first to talk because they are afraid to make a mistake. Very quickly they realize we can communicate and that is when the real fun and learning starts. By the volunteers teaching the Hungarian teachers, the new information and knowledge is passed on to the students for years after these volunteers have departed for home. It's magic.

A Volunteer Reflects on her 2007 Experience!!

2011-01-12T22:20:00.003+01:00

Written by Linda Smith Balla

I was a volunteer in 2007 in Hodmezovasharhely, Hungary, teaching English after school to any citizen who was interested. It was an invaluable experience.

I had no idea what to expect! Luckily, I was placed on a team with two musicians, and we were able to teach English through song lyrics. Our class was very popular, and our students even gave a little performance at the end of our two-week stay.

I found that our students - from age 16 to 58 - were so eager to learn. They equated learning English with a better life and better opportunities. I would love to know if it worked out that way for some of them. But the spreading of good will throughout the town could not have been a bad thing. We Americans were easily identified, and people in the streets were more than happy to help with directions, shopping, language - some even invited us to their homes. We ate the local cuisine whenever possible, and tried to absorb some of the local customs.

The one which stands out in my mind is the custom of having a family picnic on the graves of relatives on Halloween. What better way to celebrate life than to rejoice together as a family! The graves were decorated with candles and wreaths, and at night the cemetary was just so moving. Family devotion is a powerful thing and transcends all language barriers. To be a witness to that beautiful custom made my whole trip worthwhile.

I am grateful to Global Volunteers and to our team leader, Milt Diehl, for making this experience possible for me. I strongly encourage anyone with a few weeks to spare to dive in and make a memory of a lifetime.

Sincerely,
Linda

"Spring into Service" in Hungary!!

2010-12-14T18:10:00.003+01:00

“Spring into Service” with Global Volunteers to receive a special limited discount offer for our March and April teams!

Four or more volunteers who apply by January 31 for any of these 28 teams in 16 countries will receive a discount of $200 off our standard service program fee, per volunteer, for one-, two- or three-week international programs or $100 off our standard service program fee, per volunteer, for USA programs. No other discounts apply.

Please encourage others to volunteer in our five fundamental project areas: education (especially promotion of girls education), labor and community infrastructure, health care, child care, and food and nutrition.

Call us at 800-487-1074 for details and we'll assist you every step of the way. Our worldwide host communities can’t wait to welcome you!!

Check out this link for more details & service program dates: http://globalvolunteer.org/special/springspecial.asp

Hungary Service Program Dates, March & April Teams:
19-Mar-11 to 2-Apr-11
2-Apr-11 to 16-Apr-11

Vote for Global Volunteers!

2010-11-17T21:46:00.000+01:00

From November 15 - November 21 the Star Tribune newspaper is holding a contest entitled 'Full Page Project' amongst MN non-profits and the winner will receive a free full page ad in the Sunday paper!

Please vote for us this week ~ you can vote once per hour!

Here is the link where you can register and then vote for Global Volunteers (please copy and paste the link):
http://startribune.upickem.net/engine/Registration.aspx?contestid=22815

We would also encourage you to pass this link along to your family and friends, and post it on your personal Facebbok page or blog. Let us know if you have any questions, and remember voting has begun!

Thank you for your support.

Our Final Day in the Schools

2010-10-22T19:31:00.000+02:00

Friday, October 22

After breakfast we headed to our final day of classes in the schools. Our teaching schedules were busy as usual, and with a number of changes in the classes we were asked to teach.

The reception for the teachers at Hotel Fama was from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. so we could celebrate the success of the last two weeks. The number of teachers able to attend this even was less than usual because of school events and family responsibilities. But it was a real pleasure to send some personal private conversation time with the teachers who we have team taught with for the last two weeks.

The staff at Hotel Fama prepared and served an ample variety and amount of food for us. After our friends departed we returned to our rooms to finish packing and prepare for an 8:15 a.m. departure to Ferihegy Airport.

Milt

Celebrating Hungary: October 23rd

2010-10-20T23:57:00.001+02:00

Our Hungarian friends will celebrate Republic Day (Anniversary of 1956) this Saturday, October 23rd. This day is typically celebrated with speeches and exhibitions.

Here's to our Hungarian partners, their wonderful nation, and their beautiful culture!!

... And, she returned with a giant heart painted on her forehead!

2010-10-20T22:28:00.001+02:00

Wednesday, October 20

We woke up to a cool day with a steady rain. The group all discusses their creative thoughts and ideas and plans for teaching — all agreed they were being challenged. Everyone prepares for the day by wearing their most comfortable shoes and rain gear. Cameron took face paints to Vargas Thomas — she and the teacher painted flowers and smiley faces on the hands of the 5th graders and she returned with a giant red heart painted on her forehead!

We regularly use the taxi system, which is efficient with courteous drivers. Kristina and Milt were definitely our most enthusiastic walkers.

John said he had a busy schedule today and it changed often. His adult night class, as well as everyone, expressed thanks for their English lessons and sadness at our departure on Saturday.

Kristina and Cameron went shopping in the evening. The embroidery here is artistic and unique. It rained all day and there was a great chill in the air. Many children in the schools and riding bikes wore coats and heavy sweaters for the first time.

We had dinner at the hotel— Milt, Bod, Brenda, Kristina and Cameron shared “school” stories and made travel plans. This adventure is winding down and so are we!

Written by Cameron Fox

An Excellent First Week!

2010-10-15T15:21:00.003+02:00

Friday, 15 October

Breakfast at Hotel Fáma. Food - ham, cheese, bread, rolls available for school snacks. Team discussed journal entires by each members each day. Departed for separate schools about 7:30. Walking Fáma to Nemeth Laszlo about 10 minutes to arrive before 08:00.

School instruction very punctual. Is regulated by chimes which play “Happy Birthday to you.” As every where in my experience, Hungarian children all have different life styles. Some more “laid back” than others and some assertive.

Each team member works with 2 to 5 teachers in 2 to 4 different classes each morning. After lunch the team members discussed their morning progress and concerns about the reactions of the individual classes to the instruction by team members. Team members spoke of whether the students were responding to instruction. Almost universal positive responses were reported. Some team members' instructors apparently are more structured than others. John (from Mississippi) talks "funny" (southern accent) and students take a little amount to adjust to he spoken dialect!!

All team members reported success in the adult classes held in each afternoon. Apparently the team instruction is going well, if the participation in conversation by students with team members and with each other is any criteria.

Team leader Milton Diehl continues to provide a wide experience for team members in learning Hungarian culture and history. The places of interest available to the team over the weekend was discussed. It was decided that a visit to a pottery manufacture should be eliminated and that a trip to near by city would be of greater benefit to all members.

A very good meal of beef goulash was obtained at the Fisherman's Restaurant. The team was joined by Rita Deszo who is the local representative from the Municipality that assists the Global Volunteer teams.

Everyone retired to Hotel Fáma to await the trip to Szeged on Saturday.

Written by John Fox

October's Volunteer Team is in Full Swing!

2010-10-13T16:58:00.000+02:00

Wednesday, October 13

Thought for the Day: “A smile encourages acceptance; conversation fosters understanding.”

Today was my third day at Nemeth Laszlo primary and middle school in Hodmezovasarhely. At the school I co-teach with several Hungarian teachers of English. The school provides bilingual English/Hungarian instruction in some subjects, as well as teaching English. The staff are welcoming and a joy to work with. So far I have taught with Zsuzi (Suzi), Csilla, Anna, Ibolya (Violet), and Anna Marie. In class we provide general to specific conversational practice, and I contribute to the daily lesson (social studies).

The students are enthusiastic, polite, and attentive. All it seems, are eager to strengthen their English speaking ability. They are also curious about other countries, including the United States and in particular New York and Los Angeles. They wondered if I liked their city and some were surprised — happily so - when I stated that I prefer Hodmezovasarhely to Budapest.

In articulating, the students have difficulty with 'th' and 'w,' so we made a sort of repetitious game to practice the sounds. They did better than I did when they were trying to teach we have to say the last part of their town's name and similar sounds.

It was an excellent day.

Oh — I should mention that the students wanted to know if I had eaten any Hungarian food that I like - “yes,”I said “stuffed cabbage.” We had an excellent meal at a Hungarian restaurant tonight — wonderful stuffed cabbage, delicious crepes for dessert.

Brenda McNeal

Our Last Day of Teaching

2010-10-01T20:28:00.001+02:00

Friday, October 1

The breakfast discussion was lively as we talked about our adult student classes, and prepared for our last day of teaching.

Barbara and Leslie were enjoying a “treat” at Milt's secret hiding place when Milt arrived upon his return trip from the Private English Language School. The three of us had an opportunity to talk about events of the past two weeks in a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. Paul had returned from his classes when two students from his school arrived for a “private lesson.” Livia and her father came to see Jeanne and to say good bye. Livia is a student of Csilla's at Joseph Attila and has received private lessons during two previous teams and is a serious student who is improving her English speaking abilities very nicely because of her sincere desire to learn.

The weather has cooled down a little, but even with the broken overcast it was rather sunny.

The 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. reception with the teachers was this evening and 11 teachers along with the young daughter of one of the teachers joined us to celebrate the success of the last two weeks. The food provided by Hotel Fáma was excellent and enjoyed by all. The conversation was relaxed and everyone seemed to be enjoying the socialization so that it was after 6 PM when our guests started to leave.

My personal thank you is extended to all of you for doing such an outstanding job of working with the teachers, students and each other which resulted in this team being so successful.

Written by: Milt Diehl

No song is too silly, it seems.

2010-09-28T19:03:00.000+02:00

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

At breakfast we discussed the difficulty of the ESL English proficiency exam the students take as well as Milt's schedule of “surprise” visits to our classes.

The weather was lovely again today. We were also reminded to report our total of student-contact hours for the two weeks to Milt. Everyone continued to teach at assigned schools, using, re-using and experimenting with techniques ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. No song is too silly, it seems.

At 3 we toured the local pottery factory, including a live demo by Mr. Sander Ambros. He proudly displayed a dazzling variety of colorful pieces, including some ancient and clever designs for dispensing wine and spirits, like the “Devil's Bible.”

We then hiked over to Nemeth Laszlo to meet our adult students again. Milt took Paul's class for a while so he could meet Sister Edith, the biology and chemistry teach at Nemeth as well as youth choir director at Saint Stevens. From her Paul learned a lot about the history of Christianity in the Soviet and later eras.

Dinner was at Oszum-Iszom again, this time with authentic stuffed cabbage (“kapusta”?) As promised. More walking than usual today. A few mosquitoes have greeted us along the way. How many is “a few?”

Written by: Paul Seliga

A Day of Enthusiasm & Exhaustion!

2010-09-22T18:13:00.000+02:00

Wednesday, 22 September

Two Quotes for the Day:

“Men learn which they teach.” ~ Seneca

“A man should first direct himself in the way he should go. Only then should he instruct others.” ~ Buddha

After another early breakfast and packing our lunch, the team members journeyed to our schools. We are all enthusiastic making modifications to our tutoring to meet the needs of students and preparing a variety of materials.

After returning to Hotel Fáma and sharing the day's success stories everyone went to the Emelék Pont Museum for a very interesting tour which told of Hodmezovasarhely's history during the Communist and Russian occupation of Hungary. It was very informative.

Next the team went to help our adult classes and on to a delicous dinner of beef stew with paprika and galuska. Everyone was exhausted and said our good nights when we returned to the hotel.

Written by Volunteer Team Member: Barbara

First Day of Classes: A Wonderful Start!

2010-09-20T19:00:00.000+02:00

Monday, 20 September

Thought for the Day: “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear” ~ Mark Twain

Today was the first day of classes after breakfast and packing lunches, everyone headed on their separate ways. While some only had two scheduled classes and others had five, it still was a wonderful start to the two weeks. Even as each school had welcoming hands, different volunteers faced their own challenges.

Jeanne had some strict curriculum guidelines to follow. Leslie had never taught before, Paul had some chatty students, Barbara had five classes, and Mary was not allowed to enjoy her break period but had to sit in on others classes. Still even when we reconvened at 2 PM for some organizational team work, the positive remarks far outweighed the negatives. We discussed our goals for the program, from the simple teaching of English, to the desire to learn more about the Hungarian culture, and the chance to remember the importance of giving back.

Afterwards, we experienced a Milt impromptu Hungarian language class where we learned some basic words which should allow us to get by. We had a twenty minute break before it was time to leave for evening classes.

When we divided up the participants at the evening classes, there were three large beginner classes and then one of each of the intermediate and advanced. It was a night of figuring out what needed to be worked on and handled in the coming days. Some wanted interview advice and others were still learning nouns.

Though we were tired, dinner awaited us to conclude this first day. For dinner, we went past the Remembrance museum to the Black Eagle down by the City Hall. We began our meals with cold cherry soup which seemed more like a dessert than a beginner curse, with it whipped cream and biscuit. With a salad and a half sized entree, not one plate was licked clean or any stomach not fully stretched. And yet, dessert could not be neglected with a mango ice cream and fruit the meal was complete.

With a brisk stroll home, the day was complete and the resting and preparations for the next day could begin.

Written by Volunteer Team Member: Leslie

Final Days & Good Byes

2010-04-24T20:44:00.000+02:00

Friday, 23 & Saturday, 24 April

FRIDAY

We met for breakfast at the usual time and quickly departed for our schools and the last day of classes, saying “good bye” to students and teachers, final shopping and then packing as we prepare to leave on Saturday morning.

There was a concert at the Catholic Church in the center of the city. Anna Buza and Susan, at teacher at List School, are part of the choral group. There was a visiting group from Austria who also sang.

Hotel Fáma is full because this is the weekend for the Agricultural Convention.
We had supper at Fisherman's.

SATURDAY

Breakfast was at the usual time of 7 am. Packed luggage was placed near the front door of Hotel Fáma in preparation for a 8 am departure for the airport. The luggage was loaded, good byes said to the hotel staff and we started the trip to the airport.

The good news is that we arrived at the airport and all of us were able to continue on the next phase of our journey.

Update from Hungary

2010-04-22T20:35:00.003+02:00

22 April 2010

Kedves,

It appears that the European airspace is now open. This morining there were over 400 planes in the air at 7 am. At the moment I believe all of us will be able to travel.

Yesterday was a nice day, but this morning there is light rain which might clear the air of some of the dust.

The adult classes have gone well. A total of 52 adult students signed up and 44 to 46 have attended all the lessons. The volunteers and students have bonded well and many of the students have asked me for the dates when the next team will be here and will be contacting city hall very soon to sign up.

The volunteers have done such an outstanding job!!!! Please find me at 10 to 12 volunteers for each of the next teams this fall!!!!

One of the students is a friend of Rita's father and he and his daughter have been attending the classes and Rita has told me how pleased they are with the classes. The mayor has accepted my offer to give English lessons to employees of Municipality during working hours which we will start in Sept. In the past he has required them to come to class after the normal work day. This is an example of the increasing degree of acceptance of what we are doing in and for the community.

There are many more stories of a positive nature to report, but I must now go to class with students who I enjoy being with very much and it is a mutual feeling. The students in this class have been so responsive to interacting with me.Ok, story time is over for now.

Take care and I expect to be back in the States on Saturday.

Best wishes,

Milt (Hungary Team Leader)

Another Day of Teaching, Culture & Delicious Food!

2010-04-14T20:31:00.001+02:00

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

QUOTE FOR THE DAY: “You must strive for a quiet mind. If the eyes are perpetually restless, they cannot appreciate a beautiful object set before them; they glance this Way and that, and so fail to discern the subtlety of the object’s form and color. Equally, if the mind is perpetually restless, distracted by a thousand worldly concerns, it cannot apprehend the truth.” - St. Basil the Great (329-79)

At our bountiful breakfast this morning, we had the additional choice of tasty scrambled eggs. Over conversation, some implied that that sweet, quiet Lee could, on occasion, manifest a strong temper. After packing our lunches, we walked through a light rain to our individual classes.

Peggy said her classes were abbreviated because had swimming and the pool was some distance away. Lee had additional classes combined with her own after a regular teacher fell ill. Kathleen engaged her classes in a variety of conversations. Patsy faced the quandary of having two strong speakers in an otherwise silent class.

Joan’s supervisor, Susan, presented her with yellow socks to match her sweater. Frank had “a heck of a time” with his students and passed up dinner to work with one of them. John, in one of his classes , learned the Hungarian word for “whistle” and ended the hour conducting a chorus of whistlers!:)

In addition to their morning classes, Terri (the music teacher), Patsy and Mary Martin are team teaching. Today, they worked with the topic of Travel: Departure, Flight, Arrival – acquiring passport and visas, clearing Security and then Customs, meeting one’s needs while on the plane and collecting one’s baggage. Several had specific reservation for trips to Barcelona, Florida, and New York, so this is reality for them.

Milt traveled to the train station to purchase tickets for the six of us traveling to Budpest this weekend.

At 1500, Milt led a small group of us to the studio of the master potter, Ambrus Sandor, a world famous artist. It was breathtaking to witness the creative process to see in action lumps of clay being transformed into a bowl or a candle holder. Joan was so absorbed by the activity that she donned an apron, immersed her hands in the clay, and proceeded to shape a bowl!

From there we continued to our adult classes, followed by dinner at The Black Eagle. Cherry soup was the speciality, which made Terri’s heart sing, especially when Mary Martin offered Terri a second helping with her bowl. (1940’s cherry-flavored cough syrup had cured MM’s desire for cherries.) Plachinta was the grand finale, a chestnut kind of pureed pancake.

Departure was somewhat chaotic as three took off walking to the hotel, Joan was taking care of personal need, Milt joined Reta at a table with Dutch guests. Well, our crowd looks after each other, so Terri, Lee, Patsy, John and MM piled into one taxi – to the consternation of the bewildered driver who wanted to call a second taxi. We reassured him we were just “crazy Americans”, as he dubiously pulled away from the curb. We paid him two taxi fares, for no doubt, he was violating company policy, he reported his dilemma over this intercom, and he was good-natured about our U.S. American independence. “This is fun!” we all agreed, reverting momentarily to the behavior of our adolescent students.

All in in all, it was an eventful day!

Written by: John Doty

A Positive First Day of Teaching!

2010-04-12T20:25:00.001+02:00

Monday, April 12, 2010

QUOTE FOR THE DAY: “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” - C Buddha

Our day began on an early note with an energizing breakfast provided by the wonderful staff at Hotel Fama. Milt made an announcement that we were all to meet back at the dining room area for a meeting at 1400 hours.

Each of us made ourselves lunches and proceeded to our respective schools:
Frank Dajka, Nemeth Laszlo and Josef Attilla. John Doty, Nemeth Laszlo Gymnazium es Alta Laqnos Ishola. Terri Hankins, Lizst Music School, 4-8th grades. Joan Himmes, Klauzal Gabor Elementary School 9-14 grades. Mary Martin Lane, Corvin Matyas Commercial and Technical Secondary School. Ji Lee, Varga Tamas Elementary School, 4-5-8th grades. Peg Scatterfield, St. Istvan Iskola, 4-8th grades. Patsy Welton, Eotvos Jozsef Secondary, 11,12,13,10 grades. Kathleen Yasumura, Hiszk Gregus Mate Member School, 9-14 grades.

Upon returning from our school experience, we attended the team meeting with Milt at 1400 hours at which time we wrote and discussed our three reasons for being in Hungary as volunteers. Each person’s reasons were grouped in the following manner:
•Learning about volunteerism
•Learning more about Hungary, its culture, language, and history
•Working with children
•Personal growth and development

Next, team members discussed characteristics of a good team. The following qualities were mentioned:
•Interdependence, tapping into each other’s riches
•Good communication, sharing, developing trust, honesty, respect
•Selflessness, sharing, generosity, consideration
•Self-care, humor, laughter

Mary Martin initiated the description of her day as she taught five classes with students ranging in ages 14-20 years. She related that she enjoyed her mentoring, gentle redirection and action-filled activities. Milt complimented her creative teaching strategies.

Patsy related her “lost and found” experiences in getting to her assigned school. She enjoyed her experience but asked Milt about strategies which might be attempted to overcome the shyness factor several students presented.

Peggy stated her introduction and singing strategies were implemented during her four classes for grades 4,5, 6, and 8.

Lee noted that she enforced simple situations and had students interact with each other in asking similar questions to one another in grades 4, 5, and 8.

Frank related that it felt like “old home week.” He noted that three of his classes were great, but his fourth class was a challenge with discipline issues.

John noted that all of his students and classes were great. He said that his teaching experience went well. However, he did inform us of his directional confusion difficulties in finding his way back to Hotel Fama.

Kathleen related her teaching experiences at the Gregus Technical (Agricultural) School which were fine overall.

Joan stated that her first day went very well. Overall, the first day of teaching appeared to be a positive experience for all.

Written by: Kathleen Yasumara

Letters from Hungary

2010-03-08T23:43:00.006+01:00

Here are 8 emails that have been received from students in Hodmezovasarhely. Their teacher, Anna, is a very gifted, qualified and experienced teacher who is able to motivate her students. Through the years Anna and I have team taught these students. For students to write these emails it requires a level of confidence, encouragement and permission to succeed. As volunteers we can be an important catalyst in their learning process and development.

Each student has received an personal response from me.

I hope you will join us in Hodmezovasarhely and contribute to the educational development of the students. I always feel that they “give me so much more than I give them” and being with these students is a very rewarding experience.

Milt Diehl
Volunteer Team Leader

Dear Milt!
Hódmezõvásárhely is a beautiful city. Vásárhely is a city with a county right. I think this city is the 2nd largest city in the county. The summer is very hot in the plain but the winter is very-very cold. Hódmezõvásárhely isn't a very exciting city but the park is very quiet and peaceful. There isn't heavy traffic and it's good. The Németh László Grammar and Primary School is the best school in the city (I think). The teachers are very beloved. I love that school.

Dear Milt,
My name is Patrícia and my best friend is Vivien. I'm writing this e-mail with her. How are you today? When are you coming back? In here the weather is very good because the sun is shining. We are looking forward to see you. That's useful for us because it's prove us English. Please write.
Best wishes,
Patrícia and Vivien

Dear Milt,
We are Lili and Berta and we study at Nemeth Laszlo Gimnazium (NLG). We are happy when you visit Vasarhely, because we can practice English talking and we can get to know American habits. We like listening to their stories about their families, their jobs, their hobbies, their pets, because these are very interesting for us and we can tell stories about our things. When you are here, we have a big challenge, because when you talk to me, the teacher doesn't say everything to me in Hungarian so we must understand what you say to us.
Best Wishes,
Lili and Berta

Dear Milt,
My name is Krisztina and my friend is Luca . I'm writing this e-mail with her. How are you today? What's the weather like there? In here the weather is very cool because the sun is shining. The school is very hard and boring. When are you coming back? We are looking forward to seeing you. That's important for us because you improve our English, we learn about your family and your life. Please tell the other volunteers to come to Hodmezovasarhely and enjoy teaching and the swimming pool, the potter house and the spring weather.
Best wishes,
Krisztina and Luca:)

Dear Milt!
I have to say thanks for you, because we could learn hard and boring grammar, but we're now in a IT room. There are a lot of answers for your question but I'll to write short. First and most importantly we can learn English from people who have spoken this language all their lives. It's important, because our pronunciation is very...bad. Second, we can learn interesting things about very different themes. You always tells us about your work, family, and your hobbies, and we're usually very interested. And at least we do not have to learn boring grammar and vocabulary. And well, it's very important for us.
Daniella

Dear Milt,
We are Zsolti and Miki from Németh László School. We were very happy when we heard that we can write about volunteers. We think that speaking with a foreign volunteer is much better than speaking to a Hungarian teacher because the Americans have much better pronunciation and we can learn many new words as well. It was very great when we spoke about a volunteer's experiences and we got to know a lot about the United States. What is more, the volunteers can see Szeged, a beautiful city in the area, which has a fantastic atmosphere.
Best wishes,
Miki and Zsolti

Dear Milt!
We are so happy and welcome to Hódmezõvásárhely! We enjoyed your last visit, it was really funny! We learned something from all Volunteers. The beach here is very good, the water is warm :D When you come here, days are going much faster in school and its very good! :) The weather in here is a bit warm! :) Have a good day!
Bence

Welcome to Vásárhely Milt. We are very happy. It will be a very good experience. We learned something for all the Volunteers. I hope you will enjoy the flight. See you in April.
Mikjl

A Special Message from Fanni

2010-01-20T15:58:00.017+01:00

The following is written by Fanni who is a serious and highly motivated 16 year old student who is very interested in improving her English abilities. She has found interacting with Volunteers very helpful. Three of her classes are taught in English by very capable Hungarian Teachers who also teach English.

- Milt Diehl, Volunteer Team Leader

Fanni—front row lower right in a Geography class being taught by Volunteer Ann Marie Cox in English. Fanni is very intently listening to the lecture. The students had already studied the topic when it was taught in Hungarian (magyar) and now they are hearing the same information in English and learning new vocabulary.

When I first met the Volunteers the question was why right here, why to Hódmezõvásárhely? And the answer was really surprising: because in Hungary this is the only town where they are invited to. My reaction: how can it be that such good people are invited only to one place in the whole country? I could hardly believe it.

But it is true, and the volunteers' are so kind and helpful that the local people, student’s and teacher’s want to be helpful to the volunteers and talk and meet with them. I am glad to know many volunteers.

Speaking with the volunteers always makes me happy. They are very attentive so the problem due to the lacks in my English knowledge is surmounted. That is the very first reason why I felt in love with this feeling given by the conversation of English speakers.

Besides they are really, really nice, they are always smiling, and have a good sense of humour The continuous speaking taught me many things. First of all how to speak in English in an clear way and speed with correct accent. Moreover my listening comprehension has improved, and I always learn new words, expressions which are useful. I really enjoy all the time what I spend with them, their calm takes me over then, and thinking in English works out, better expressions come to my mind and the speaking becomes more immediate. I enjoy this state. And when it comes during the lesson, it is fantastic. However, we have teachers who speak and teach in English well, it is not the same. A lesson with native English is always a great fun. We have a certain vocabulary in certain subjects, but the natives always have more to show us. The way they speak is very enjoyable, and their personality always give the final spice for it.

Left to right: Beni (a friend of Fanni), Oonagh (a Global Volunteer), and Fanni.

The town has many nice places which are worth visiting, knowing the background, the history of them. The students like the lessons with volunteers because they always have interesting topics to talk about and funny game, and we can talk about serious ones as well, so it is a great fun. Studying by playing. Furthermore, the students do not have to study for those lessons, only bring their knowledge and attention and the lesson is going to be much better than any before with the official teacher. The programs are useful and interesting.

I like the story, about a volunteer who did not believe that she could hold a lesson. But the time came and after the lesson she went to the Team Leader and told him, that she thought that ' I can do this now and I like it'. Well, we are people as well, and we will not value the performance, we just want to know people by the help of an other language, and have a good conversation. The most important is to be self-confident and talk about something interesting, what you think to be interesting for the certain age group. The evening lessons are the same: calm conversations about a topic which everyone is interested in, questions, and feeling good all the lessons long and after them as well.

A very interesting and good part of those lessons is when we teach something in Hungarian to the volunteers, like 'puha' (soft). OK, Hungarian is a hard language, but we like their first pronunciation. Later they become better, and more clear.

Me, a student, who tries to keep in touch with the volunteers, can not say other, just to come here and have fun with the locals. It is a good feeling, I think, to be on almost the contrary part of the Earth, or I will feel it when I will be in the US, but it can be just good. I have spoken with many volunteers but I do not remember any, who would have told they did not enjoyed here.

And sorry for the mistakes. I will work on improving, and I will work on it during speaking with you and writing you as well.

Fanni, an enthusiastic student

Join Milt in Hungary!

2009-06-05T19:58:00.000+02:00

Are you looking for a Global Volunteer Service Program where:
*the students are eager to learn and want to speak to a “native English speaker.”
*the teachers want your help and work with you
*you have the opportunity to teach adult students
*there is the potential to live in the community and learn first hand about the life of the people
*the hotel staff treats you like “family”
*the Mayor of Hodmezovasarhely is your host and provides support for the team.
* when at the end of the two weeks you might be saying “can I stay longer?”

Then the Hodmezovasarhely, Hungary site is for you. The following is based on my experience after having lead seven (7) teams to this site and just before leaving to lead the eighth (8th) team.

The service program in Hodmezovasarhely, Hungary is very rewarding. The focus of the program is to teach conversational English. Our “students” range from elementary school children to adults. We meet the needs of the students and community by having conversations with them in English. We have the opportunity to live in the community and interact in very meaningful ways with the citizens in Hodmezovasarhely.

We are invited by the Mayor’s Office and are provided a host coordinator to assist us during our time in the community. There is a real need in this community to teach conversational English. Many adults come to the classes because they need to improve their English skills because of requirements at work.

The students look forward to having the volunteer’s come to their classes. The English language teachers in Hodmezovasarhely are excellent. Having stated that fact it is also important to the students to have a “conversation with a native English speaker” and it demonstrates to them that they can communicate in English. With these students the learning curve is very positive and the progress that they are able to make is amazing. Our being in the community motivates students, builds self-esteem, and confidence.

One of our “adult students” owns a local restaurant with her husband. Her progress in learning English has been great. She now comes to our table to take orders with ease and with pride in English. When I first meet her in February 2005 we frequently needed a translator.

Frequently teachers, and students, will seek us out after class and want to have a conversation because they learn so much by speaking to a native speaker. Personally I believe that the interaction we have with the teachers is very important because as they learn from us they will share this information with their students for years to come.

So, in answer to the question “what can be accomplished in two weeks” the answer is much more than you might first believe. One becomes aware of the positive impact of our Service Program only after making return trips and being with the same people a number of times.

We stay at the Hotel Fama which is a very nice hotel. The rooms are very pleasant. Many of the hotel staff speak English. All of the staff are very nice people and they will go out of there way to make our stay comfortable. We will eat breakfast at the hotel and some of our evening meals. There are a number of very nice restaurants in the city which serve very good food, extremely large portions, and we will have an opportunity to eat at a number of them during our program.

Some video clips of the Hodmezovasarhely Service Program are on “youtube” and they can be accessed on the Global Volunteer Hungarian home page or by clicking on the following url: http://www.youtube.com/user/GlobalVolunteers

This is being written as we prepare for the April to May 2009 team and the following is an excerpt the newsletter that has been sent to team members:

Our host representative from the Municipality, and a teacher who I have worked with since Feb 2005, are in the process or arranging our teaching assignments. At this time I do not have all the detailed information, but we will be teaching in schools ranging from elementary to high school, and possibly the technical schools in the morning hours. Then we will have the opportunity to meet with adults in the late afternoon and help them practice conversational English. Some of these students have been attending these free English conversation lessons since they were started in February of 2006.

Meeting and interacting with the school children is always a joy, but it is during the adult lessons that we are able to interact with and gain a greater insight into the community and lives of the people. Many of the adult students come to our classes in order to help them prepare to pass an English competency which they need to advance in their employment. Our teaching activities are designed for us to be of service to the community and support “our students” in their endeavors.
http://www.youtube.com/user/GlobalVolunteers

Frequently volunteers seek resources that will allow them to learn a few words in magyar (Hungarian) before the trip. This is a good idea if you are so inclined. Hungarian is a language that kind of “stands alone” even though there is some relationship with Finnish. At the following website http://www.byki.com/ are FREE programs provided by Transparent Language that can be downloaded and used to learn some basic words in a number of languages. Click on download and when the list appears click on Hungarian and proceed with the download and install process. I believe that the free program is adequate for those who will be onsite for just two weeks. Neither Global Volunteers or I have any association with Transparent Language and this information is being provided as a resource to you as preparation is made for the trip.

Please contact a Volunteer Coordinator and if you want more information they will provide you with information on how to contact me directly.

Looking forward to seeing you in Hodmezovasarhely.

Milt Diehl
Volunteer Team Leader