Finnish volunteer going to Slovenia in couple of weeks!

Hi guys! September is coming fast! A lot has been happening in the back ground after we have returned back to work from summer holidays. For example our EVS-team has been meeting up with Juuso and Allu after they have returned from Ireland, we have been planning the period in our workshops for the Slovenian volunteers who are coming in the beginning of September. AND preparing Mikko for his two month period in Slovenia where Mikko is leaving at the end of this month. So soon you can follow his journey!

Before summer break we chose the volunteers for Slovenia. Sometimes in a month can happen much and now the plan is that Mikko will be going to Slovenia. Soon Mikko is writing the presentation of himself, can't wait to read it!

So this week we had the first session of Mikko's pre-departure training. Me (Terhi) and Larissa are Mikko's mentors in Finland, we had the training together. 

There is always nice to have some snacks :)

In the older posts you can find a post where Anna-Kaisa told what the pre-departure training is all about :) The structure is pretty much the same in this case, but of course there is little changes because the place is different.

In a nutshell, first Mikko aswered questions about himself, which we will send to Slovenia before the period starts. We try to work in a way that the start is easy for the volunteer and also to the host country. We have received lots of information from Slovenia to share with Mikko. Information makes things easier! When Mikko knows what kind of work he will be doing and how for example living, eating and free time is organized, he will have a lighter mind to go in a new place :) Also it is the same situation for the mentors in Slovenia. When they have little bit knowlage about Mikko, what he likes and doesn't like, things will go smoother.

This kind of things and work Mikko will be doing with the orher volunteers!

We also went throw volunteers agreement (agreement for the period), code of conduct and lots and lots of things to make sure that the experience is nice!

Of course we talked about the travel arrangements and other practical stuff. Will you go by buss to the airport? Is someone willing to give you a ride to travel centre from home? Do you have the receip when you bouth the passport ? What is the weather like in Slovenia in the fall? You should back clothes which you can do the renevation work with... And be ready for a warm and cold weather!

Hmmm we wonder how are the local busses going? Mikko has to be in that time in the airport, before that he needs to get to the travel centre where the long distance busses are leaving... 

Of course it's important for the volunteer to see why am I going? What will I learn from this experience? How can I take advantage of this in the future? We will continue from this next week!

Terhi, coordinator