Natia Pavliashvili shares her transformative experience volunteering in Poland through the Erasmus+ program, highlighting her initial challenges with language and culture. She engaged in various activities, such as cultural workshops, teaching English, and organizing events that fostered cultural exchange among Georgian, Bulgarian, and Silesian communities. Her journey included visits to historical sites and participating in training sessions that enriched her understanding of both Polish culture and her role as a volunteer.

1. My EVS
experience
Natia Pavliashvili

2. Beginning
• My beginning was a bit strange , I always
were interested in volunteerism but I have
never thought that I would go to Poland.
• Volunteerism really changed my life for
the better.
• First of all the I did not know much about
that country it’s life style and culture so I
started finding out which was the best
thing.
• At the beginning of my project I was a
little confused even I could not talk in
Polish and I was shy .
• So, I have finished my 2nd year at my
university and I went to Poland and
started my Erasmus +
,, adventures.’’

3. I started joining the plan which was provided by cultural center where I
was volunteer. My first week started with workshops connected with
different activities, mostly with kids and youngsters

4. Later I joined their trips
Our first trip was in Wisla and it was like mountain trekking activity .I had to
take care of them and help to them but we really enjoyed walking together
and It was my first time when I visited Polish mountains .

5. Other days we
visited castles,
Cracow zoo ,
also
amousment
park in Zory
with kids from
Wola in frame
of Summer
action

6. Event with Bulgarian pilgrims
Wola hosted the Bulgarian pilgrims. We
organized and participated with them in
the great international event in Wola,
getting to know more Bulgarian, Georgian,
Italian and Silesian culture and have a lot
of fun with the local inhabitants of Wola.

7. That is not all
one of the most
interesting
workshop for me
was Georgian
dances workshop, I
taught girls some
movements of
Georgian dance –
Adjaruli
and they did pretty
well .

8. Another cultural activity was culinary
workshop.
I cook Georgian Sweet Rice for kids

9. And now time for training !
Our First mid training took a place in a capital
city , in Warsaw . That was opportunity to
meet Erasmus volunteers like us and get to
know each other , their experience which we
collected in these two months and talked
about future plans for our EVS .

10. That training was also opportunity to
discover Warsaw and meet its history

11. I walked through city during day and night so I can say that Warsaw
never sleep ! It is a charming , I have never seen such a green capital
city in my life . This is place where modern and old buildings meet
each other .

12. I was invited to school in Frydek. my tasks was to meet pupils and present my country to them. So early
morning was on the way to Frydek. As soon as I entered to school I thoughts went to my school in Georgia, It
reminded me my school time which I had 2 years ago and now I am here in Frydek, Poland. Well, I met teacher
and had a short conversation before my classes. children already were waiting for Georgian guest ,first time I
entered to the 7th class I introduced myself, pupils seemed excited. from the beginning I asked them what did
they know about my country and I got quite good answers from them. After that they gave me questions about
school and education in Georgia , were interested how and when Georgians celebrate Christmas or Easter and
which are the most touristic places in Georgia also we discussed about what similarities our countries have .
Georgia Presentation in local schools

13. English language for everybody
One of my activity was my English class . I taught English
language people . There were 3 groups – for kids ,
youngsters and adults. I was really impressed with them, they
showed me a high motivation , every lesson became a big
challenge for me I felt happy with my students ! Thank you all
.

14. Mid term Training
Before the end of my project I was sent to Torun
for my mid term training. I can say that it
was meeting more than training , where we
shared to each others our experience ,
adventures, and we also talk about our
future plan . The most important topic was
summary of our volunteering service and we
gave and what we get .
Also we enjoyed beauty of Torun city , which
became one of my favorite city in Poland …

15. We organized and participated in the first
international event in Wola, getting to
know more about Silesian traditions and
sharing Italian and Georgian cultures.
Silesian – Italian – Georgian Event

16. Georgian Evening
I have prepared the Georgian evening with
Zura, another volunteer from georgia, to
share our culture, traditions and food with
local inhabitants of Wola

17. •“Our generation has the ability and the
responsibility
to make our ever more connected world
a more hopeful, stable and peaceful place.”