On Arrival Training

Aims & objectives

- intercultural learning: Getting to know the Austrian culture
- Reflection on the first weeks in Austria
Networking and exchange of experiences
Receive useful information from the National Agency
Objective: How to use my ESC (personal vs. project-related)

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

2 female Trainers from Austria an Czech Republic, both are Trainer's for the Austrian National Agency

The 22 participants came from Armenia, Egypt, Georgia, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Romania and Tunisia.
The group was particularly characterized by its openness and diversity. The majority of the participants were still very young (20-25). For most of them, this ESc assignment was their first European experience.

Training methods used & main activities

- Sharing: that helps me to feel safe
- walk and talk
- sociometry
- group building activity: Mission "Make it possible" (30 tasks in 30 minutes)
- Project Landscape (Using Creative Methods to visualize and share experience)
- Journaling for Selfreflection - to create a safe space in a Journal
- cooking activity (cooking and shoping in groups for an international dinner)
- sharing: Challenges: tipps and tricks
- Map of Europe (groups of 3: one blindfolded, guide, observer: help the blindfolded person to draw a map of Europe - only using your mother tongue)

Outcomes of the activity

- Journal: Every participant took a journal with them where they colected what was useful for them.
- connection and support: the participants learned many methods for self-care and also go to know other volunteers who are Austria for the upcoming year.
- intercultural learning: The participants got had the opportunity to share and reflect on their experience with the Austrian culture

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

- preparation
- moderation and guidance of activities
- introduction of selfreflection and journaling
- individual support for volunteers with personal and organizational challenges
- reporting

I worked on this training for 4 days as a full time trainer.

Testimonial of the reference person

Carina´s Experince with "Journaling+ Safe spaces" was really an added value and made this On-arrival Training a special one:-). Bara SB