It is time to say good-bye
I was very happy with my internship at Csányi Alapitvany. I appreciate the work of this organisation and I am happy that I was a part of it for a certain period. In Jászberény I found new friends, with which I want to stay in contact and I am considering to come back to see the ,,Csango-Festival’’ in August.
I have to admit that before I came to Hungary I didn’t know much about it. I am first time to Hungary. I was nervous about the people and what they wouldl expect me to do. But from the first day everyone welcomed me so affectionately. Although I didn’t speak Hungarian at all we could communicate in English, French, German and after a few weeks even in knew some Hungarian words.
The dimension of the provided support in the Foundation surprised me. Before I came to Hungary I thought the Csànyi Alapitvany offers only lessons in the afternoons. But it is so much more than that. Each mentor knows the children’s family and their worries. They stay in contact with the school and even provide a psychologist. The Foundation takes care of the children and pays a lot of attention to the needs of each child. They were supported financially even for necessary medical surgeries. Furthermore the programme lasts until the pupils are at university (or learn a trade) and find a job.
In the first weeks it was sometimes difficult to communicate with the children, because some of them were afraid of talking to me in a foreign language. But with the time it became better as we got to know each other closer. The atmosphere in the Community House in Jászberény is always warm and friendly. I got the impression that the Community Houses are like second homes for the children, where they feel accepted can talk about their worries. One child told me that he appreciates the conversations and friendships at Csànyi Alapitvany, because they aren’t superficial like in school.
In the aftrenoon when they arrive at the Community House milk and cookies await them and they have time to rest. In the Csànyi House in Jàszberèny there are two rooms with computers and Internet access. Altogether the House is inviting. It is furnished with bright wood and warm colours like orange and yellow. I always feel very comfortable inside. Furthermore everyone knows each other very well. Even when we drove to an other Community House (to Káposvar) they all knew each other. They are like a big family and I enjoyed being a part of it.
With the mentors from Jàsberèny I got on very well. They often helped me how to arrange my teaching. I delivered presentations to German and English groups about Germany, my life, German customs, food, eating habits and about the school system. After a few weeks the children started to ask me a lot of questions and they even prepared presentations for me about Hungary. It must be difficult for them to talk about difficult topics such as transportation, population or geograpy. Anyway they are very motivated and they did a great job.
One could recognise the difference regarding the atmosphere from school. At the Csànyi House they learn in small groups of 4 to 8 pupils. These lessons are more effective than at school with over 25 pupils in one class. The pupils didn’t have to be ashamed of making mistakes and they got the chance to use the foreign languages creatively.
The teachers who work for the Foundation are professionals and they are also sympathetic and emphatic. I think they have a good relation to the pupils.
The level of the groups are differt. The younger ones are on elementary level. Their vocabulary is limited, but we still found topics to talk about, e.g. hobbies or our families. Some of the older pupils are very talented in German/English. Especially in English some pupils were able to speak fluently. I really enjoyed to teach the pupils about Germany and improve their language skills.
In my freetime I also met some pupils from Csànyi Alapitvany. We went to the cinema, in a restaurant or they showed me how to bake Hungarian cakes. During my stay I travelled with the Foundation to Káposvar, to Hortobagy and to Debrecen. It was a good chance to spend time with children apart from the lessons and to see different parts of Hungary.
All in all I was very happy with my internship at Csányi Alapitvany. I appreciate the work of this organisation and I am happy that I was a part of it for a certain period. Furthermore I learned a lot about Hungary, about its history, landscape, about its culture, language, food and eating habits. In Jászberény I found new friends, with which I want to stay in contact and I am considering to come back to see the ,,Csango-Festival’’ in August. Christina Macke, AIESECer from Germany