Now that I arrive at the end of my volunteering project in Denmark, I really consider that these 10 months at Ranum Efterskole will mark the beginning of my new (professional) life.
Let’s come back to the story of my volunteering project
- Everything started in April-Mai 2021 when I was looking for a job. Before that, I was working as a research assistant in a laboratory of molecular genetics. When my contract ended, I wanted to steer my career in the field of education because I have always been interested in sharing my knowledge. I considered doing a volunteering project and thought that it could be a good opportunity for me to work in a school and see if I would like to become a teacher. Besides, because I was close to the maximal age limit, I thought that it was my last opportunity to do an ECS and I didn’t want to miss it! I started to apply to different projects in various countries and one day AFS contacted me and told me that my profile will suit Ranum Efterskole project. Then in June I had an interview and I was accepted.
- Then, started a long waiting period full of uncertainty. I was indeed accepted at Ranum Efterskole but AFS informed me that they were still waiting for EU funding and that they should get an answer in August. This period was very stressful for me because I was scared that the project would be cancelled (especially in Covid time) and at the same time I had to get ready if it was not. I had to sell all my stuff and move out from my apartment in France. The suspense was prolonged until mid September when we finally got the approval from EU. I remember my excitement and relief on that day when I received the email of AFS. I was thinking: “This is really happening!!! I will go to Denmark for sure!”. I was so relief that the project was not cancelled. After that, everything happened very quickly, I had to finish all the preparations and buy the tickets within one week.
- End of September: beginning of my new adventure in Denmark. It was my first time in Denmark, and actually, I knew really little about this country before going there. I never considered living in Denmark on day but thanks to ESC program I got this opportunity to extend my horizons and go to places I wouldn’t even thing about.
My volunteering program
My project consisted in being a teacher assistant at Ranum Efterskole. I join the French class and help the teacher to prepare some classes and workshops for the students. Besides that, once a week and some week-ends, I had the opportunity to spend more time with the students by offering activities and taking care of them. The activities were various (sport, gastronomy, design, etc.). During the evening shifts, I eat with the students and was there for them, during their refreshment and sleeping times. Working with teenagers allowed me to learn a lot both professionally and personally. I improved my teaching skills, got more confident to lead a class and to show authority. I am so happy and grateful that I took this decision of doing an ESC project. Besides, I was leaving with 3 others volunteers and it was a good international and cultural experience. Nevertheless, what I will mostly remember from my experience in Denmark is all the travels I have done and the time I have spent with the AFS students because it was amazing. Indeed, Ranum Efterskole is an Efterskole specialized in travels and outdoors activities that receive international students for 1 month AFS short program.
To conclude, I really recommend doing an ESC as you are exposed to a new culture in an international context. I truly think that it is a good opportunity to live something new in a new environment and learn a lot. It is an eye opening experience that marks the beginning of my new life (as I wrote in the title). Why so? Because thanks to this teaching experience, I have found a job as a primary teacher assistant. This is something that would not have been possible directly after my previous job as I didn’t have experience in teaching. I am considering myself lucky for having found this new job even before the end of my volunteering project and I am now getting ready to start a new chapter of my life in a new place.
My cultural project: French food culture exchange with students
For my Solidarity Project, I wanted to share my culture with the Danish students. To do so, I thought that food was a good topic, especially because French gastronomy is worldwide known and they were really interested in tasting a French cake. Therefore, I have decided to explain them the tradition we have in January when we eat the “Galette des rois”. It is a kind of pie consisting in an almond cream (called “frangipane”) prepared in a puff pastry. In France, we eat this pie only in January to celebrate the Epiphany (a Christian holiday that celebrates the visit of the wise men to the child Jesus). In French, the “wise men” are called “Roi mages” that is why this pie is called “galette des rois”. The specificity of this pie is that it contains a small figurine (called “fève”) and the person who finds it in its piece of pie is elected king (=”roi”) and has to wear a crown. When you buy your “galette des rois” in a bakery, you will receive a crown at the same time. Besides, now the figurines are not only religious characters anymore, they can be figurines of Disney characters for example, and you can make a collection.
We have a Gastronomy room at the school; therefore it was possible to cook a large amount of pies that we eat all together. It was a nice moment of sharing. We spent a good time by following the tradition we use for kids, which consist of designating a person that will seat under a table while another person will cut the pie. The person under the table will assign a piece of cake to each of the guest. This is to avoid seeing the “fève” while cutting the pie.
I think this moment was a success as Danish students ask me for more French cakes!!
ESC Solidarity Projects 