Two volunteers from Slovakia have come to the UNIVOL Volunteering Center as part of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) program. Peter Ribar and Esther Catherine Estock will work at the Center for Social and Professional Volunteering, and also the International Resource Center of the TSU Research Library, for 10 months. Their project is dedicated to youth policy in volunteering at TSU and in Tomsk.
The volunteers Peter and Esther will take part in university projects and implement their ideas for events and projects. They will also conduct master classes on how to use the ESC capabilities of Russian and international TSU students and non-profit organizations that are partners of the UNIVOL Center. It also will be possible to come to them for a consultation and just chat.
- Some time ago, I returned from a three-month volunteer trip to Russia. This visit enriched me personally and left a lot of positive impressions and interesting thoughts. This experience has changed my outlook on life in this country. Therefore, one of the reasons why I decided to take part in a long-term volunteer project at Tomsk University is my interest in a deeper acquaintance with Russian culture. Also, participating in the program motivates me to improve my Russian language, - says Peter Ribar.
The volunteer added that working with young people seems very important to him because it can positively affect their actions in solving vital problems and tasks.
- Thanks to the opportunities of nonformal education, European Solidarity Corps helps volunteers acquire new competencies needed in the modern world. At the same time, volunteers don't have any special financial costs because this is a grant program. The goal of ESC is to help young people to develop their solidarity and tolerance through participating in nonprofit volunteer programs abroad, - explains Christina Buyakova, head of the UNIVOL Center.
Information about TSU in the European database can be found on the organization's portal.
- I want to improve my English and I hope that after the project I can speak Russian. I also want to meet new people and learn more about life in Russia. I would like to change the stereotypical opinions of people in Slovakia about Russia. Therefore, I will write a blog about my experience or maybe even a book! - shares Esther Catherine Estock.
