Summary of a Study Trip
In this configuration, the high school students of Kaposvár Group 2 traveled for the last time on the weekend closing November for their autumn project trip (as the majority of the team is graduating this year and starting their university studies).
Our project this year revolves around the theme of responsibility; an integral part of this is the question of the individual’s responsibility toward the community. A community—and this can be taken as self-evident—is a group consisting of and functioning (together) by the free will of individuals. We are individually responsible for the community functioning well. This was one of the topics discussed during the two days spent together.
And what else was our last autumn study trip in this format about? Essentially, it was about what the group’s entire life revolves around right now: graduation exams, career choices, and friendships.
We, junior mentors, tried to maintain a balance among all three. The location was none other than the magical Hajmás, the Zselic Leisure Farm. During our walk in the area, we agreed that as locals of Somogy, we incredibly enjoy roaming the Zselic, among the beautiful hills and forests. After we had admired the view, a little “shop talk” followed. Last year and the year before, this period was the most difficult and stressful for us. What should be the order of university applications? How much should we study for the graduation exam? Is it possible to be fully prepared? What if I don’t make the right decision regarding my career path?
We tried to touch upon these questions. It was visible on the group that they are going through the same emotional rollercoaster as we did; they have the same general “what if” feeling. We tried to explain what we have already experienced. Half of the junior mentors explained what it is like when you succeed in choosing the university and major you feel is yours on the first try; the other half spoke about when it doesn’t happen, but you eventually get on track with yourself. We mentioned important deadlines, changing the order of applications, the use of Neptun, and the opportunities provided by the Foundation and universities: scholarships, the Academy, tenders, and deadlines. Due to the multitude of questions regarding further studies and university life, unfortunately, there was no time for the prepared drama team-building games; we will make up for this at the pre-New Year’s Eve party.
This was followed by some refreshing recreation: bowling and billiards. We formed teams and then, competing with each other—but always cheering if someone made a successful shot—we bowled as the time turned into evening. And the team’s time together truly began only then! The countless laughs, glances, smiles, and confidential conversations stretching into the night: that would be us.
Due to our many different activities, it is a great gift when the team is together in full force. This time, however, we made the absolute best of it at the Zselic Leisure Farm in Hajmás. Although we only spent one night here, which is quite short, we tried to squeeze as much as possible into our stay. Things that are exceptional in everyone’s busy days. There were long conversations, walks, and plenty of laughter. Before rooting for each other during bowling, we listened to our university students, who told us useful information about the period ahead of us. We heard personal experiences and useful advice that cannot be read on any digital platform.
There were barely a few hours left for sleep; we regretted every moment not spent actively. After breakfast, our mentor invited us to play an interesting game (it is no novelty, of course, that this is the case). We heard statements, and then we had to identify who in the group we thought best fit the description: “the kindest, most talented, best friend, the one I laughed with the most, the quietest, or perhaps the most energetic.” We decided who the statements characterized and expressed our opinions by pointing at each other. Then, as a final task, we wrote down how we see ourselves in the future; we gave these to our mentor for safekeeping, and we will read back what we wrote now at this same location in five years. As a parting gift, everyone wrote and handed a small, empowering, positive message to the person on their right.
Although, naturally, we are not saying goodbye to anything or anyone, this was still the closure of something, as this was our group’s last overnight trip. And on this occasion, I would like to write down how grateful I am to know them and call them my friends, to belong there, and that such a well-functioning team has formed over the years, who will always support each other in the future—of this, I am certain!
Pictures of our trip can be viewed in the Gallery.
Jázmin Pretz and Levente Sipos, Kaposvár Group 2