Hey! My name is Marina and I’m from Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Due to Corona and Visa problems it was not so easy to go to Germany but I’m really happy to be here, because it’s the best summer in my life. I arrived in Germany at a good time, as the restrictions had already began to be lifted and I did not live in lockdown.
I have been in Bremen for only 3 months (wow how fast time flies!), but it seems like a whole life has already passed, because almost every day I do something new and interesting. From the first days I made a lot of new friends, because the volunteers are like one big family that welcomes new members very warmly. We spent a lot of time together: we organize house parties, go to bars or the river, travel, ride bicycles and much more.
I’m the first volunteer in the culture center Schlachthof. My tasks include helping with organizing events and workshops, managing Instagram, helping with children’s theater, working in a magazine and much more. My colleagues received me very well, they support all my ideas and are always ready to teach me if I don’t know something. What I like most is that I can attend all the concerts, workshops, exhibitions and lectures organized by the cultural center, because my hobby has become a part of my work. I also like that I don’t have to get up early, as I usually work not in the morning.
This is not my first time in Germany, so I have no culture shock. But during this time, I certainly got to know this country and culture much better. But even this is not the coolest thing. I am learning many new cultures thanks to other volunteers and other people I meet in my daily life here.
I am very glad that I take part in this project, because now I live the life I always wanted: I’m working in what I like and I have interesting people around me. I am also very glad that my foreign languages have improved significantly, because we speak only English with volunteers, and only German at work. I am sure that during my project I can learn a lot and unleash my potential.
See you soon
Marina
Marina is hosted by Kulturzentrum Schlachthof on our project “Global Difference Makers”, financed by the European Solidarity Corps and JUGEND für Europa.
Marina was also featured on the cover of the Magazine of Kulturzentrum Schlachthof!
If you want to have a read, you can find the magazine here. (Image Copyright: ZMagazin, Kulturzentrum Schlachthof)
