A warm welcome from Lithuania in Tunisia

The organization AIESEC offers young people the opportunity to try their hand at volunteering or professional internships, thus gaining skills and work experience that are much needed today. Rimantė Steponavičiūtė, who chose to volunteerinternship, kindly agreed to share his experience.

- How did you find out about the volunteering program?what?

- I had plans for the winter, but they didn't work out. The friends started talking about internships and volunteer programs abroad with the AIESEC organization. I thought maybe I should give it a try.

- Why did you choose this particular project? What attracted attention?

- I am interested in the Middle East and North Africa, which is why I was looking for an Arab state. Attention was also attracted by the great encouragement of foreign AIESEC members to come to them, their stories and warmth and positive energy during communication.

- How did you prepare for the trip? Who helped?

– No strange preparations were needed. I looked at it all as a simple trip. I was happy that I was going to the countries I was interested in. Of course, I communicated a lot with foreigners who later became friends. They gave me all the recommendations and necessary information about what I might need in Tunisia. In fact, even before leaving, we "caught" a close connection - which was very gratifying.

- Briefly present the project. What are the goals? Where did it take place? What needed to be done? Who else was involved?

– So I taught elementary school students of different ages in an English private school. The project was called "World School", in which representatives of other nationalities also participated. However, only I, the Egyptian and the Macedonian taught the children. I think the most important thing for me as a European was to bring innovation and recommendations to the curriculum. Before long, you realize that the level of education is different, and then you begin to work altruistically and try to help the school and its teachers improve.

- Who left the biggest impression? Maybe something seemed strange or unusual?

- It's natural that something strange or unusual appears in a different culture, but that's why you travel. This is the most fascinating. I think, still, the most memorable are the people who create and support this whole different culture...

- How was communication with local residents?

- Communication with local residents was completely natural. I lived in a family where I was accepted as a member of their family. A month later, my friends were laughing that I was more Tunisian than they were.

- What were the accommodation conditions? where did you live How about food? Did you have a lot of expenses?

- Since I was very lucky and lived in a family, I didn't have any problems. We often ate in the city, because they have mountains of traditional food. They strongly encourage you to try everything. Since my friends wanted me to try my best, of course there was some cost. Of course, the fact that I lived in a family helped.

- How did you spend your free time? Tell me about an adventure.

- In my free time, I traveled around Tunisia, spending time with my friends. We chatted about life and politics. I tried to learn the Tunisian dialect and improve my knowledge of Arabic, so a lot of curiosities happened. The most fun was talking to the taxi drivers, albeit in "broken Arabic", but still..

- Name the pluses of the volunteering program.

- I think any trip leaves a mark on you. The volunteering program is good especially for those who want to try their hand at volunteering projects and make friends abroad, or learn first-hand about the country that they could not learn from the press while in their own country. I was also very warmly welcomed by the representatives of the AIESEC organization in Tunisia. It left a very good impression.

- Name the cons.

- It would be difficult for people who have traveled less or are introverts and people who, as they say, "need to be entertained" to go to an internship. You must always show your initiative both at work, in communicating with other people, and in organizing and looking for some interesting activity. You must make the most of everything.

- Have there been problems abroad? And if so, how did you solve it?

- I had no problems.

- Would you go again?

– I would definitely, definitely, go to Tunisia again.

- Would you advise others to ride, or would not everyone be suitable?

– I would advise you to go, but as I already mentioned, internships in different countries are for different people.

- What advice would you give to those who want to go on the same or a similar trip?

– I would advise you to study very well where you are going, calculate your cash reserve, and start communicating with the project organizers much earlier. If there is an opportunity, go to the country even before the project in order to get settled, make more friends and travel.

Thank you Rimanta.

If you were interested in this interview and encouraged to try your hand at it, please contact:

http://aiesec.lt/

kaunas@aiesec.lt