Small Steps Create Big Shifts
My name is Mathéo, and I am a twenty-one-year-old French and in June of the previous year, I completed my degree in economics. Eager for a new experience, I saw ESC volunteering as an excellent opportunity. When I discovered the profile and mission proposed by Dobrodružstvo, I was immediately won over by the project’s vision.
Just a few weeks after finalizing the agreement between the school and me, I arrived in Bratislava for a ten-month stay. The beginning was primarily about familiarizing myself with my new surroundings, from the city itself to the accommodation provided, which was located in Nová Cvernovka, a cultural center with a residential section. This place is a true gem of community, culture, and creativity, hosting a wide variety of events and diverse activities throughout the year. I had great moments there with my friends, meeting new people from Slovakia and other countries, and sharing experiences from all over Europe.
Upon my arrival, I found myself in a welcoming environment, surrounded by kind and supportive people. The school offered a safe space for both teachers and children.
Of course, not everything was straightforward. The principles of Montessori theory were initially unclear to me, particularly how to apply them and find boundaries. Fortunately, I was relieved to have understanding colleagues who recognized the challenges I could face as someone with no experience working with children or this educational approach.
Throughout the year, I immersed myself in this environment, participating in a wide range of activities, from art, physical education, and ceramics to regular study sessions in languages, mathematics, geography, and more, with different classes. The art lessons and the small school trips on Friday mornings were two I took part in a lot. In my view, it was very rewarding to be present and see the children’s creativity and to give them this opportunity to explore and learn about different exhibitions, the forest, and to express themselves…
This experience allowed me to learn about many topics and gain a new perspective on this type of education, enabling me to compare and contrast it with the systems I already knew.
Overall, it has been a very interesting experience, where I had space to create, to improve and discover a wide range of new skills, and meet wonderful persons.