Name
of the Youth Exchange: Let’s have a cup of coffee
Date:
31.10 – 06.11.2016
Country/City:
Ankara / Turkey
What
was the main topic of the event?
Annika
Rannamets – Group Leader: The project subject was coffee.
At first, though, it seemed that the subject leans more toward different
countries, but the more we talked about how coffee is made in various
countries, which have different types of coffees and what coffees are the most
popular. We learned interesting facts about coffee, for example, it was
discovered Kudas. We also visited Turkey's most important person mausoleum and
museum - Atatürk. We also visited the old town of Ankara. The most memorable
performance was a treasure hunt Hacettepe University campus. We had to find
specific places, monuments and take pictures or videos. Since the place was a
stranger, came to ask for help from students.
So we were surprised
when we get there and saw – it was really about coffee. We had to find
information about coffee history. And all 5 groups find the same information.
So some of the groups started to sort out most interesting topics because they
saw that all the group works will be the same, if they don’t do anything
different.
Joonas-Siim
Kadak: First of all i have to say, that i did not
expect the projects theme be coffee culture. From the questions you sent us
before the project in my mind did not indicate that we are going to learn about
coffee. Even though for me it was really interesting. I thought that once I get
back home I have forgotten most of the things you spoke about, but it turns out
that I remember most of the things. I am not really sure that I remember the
dates from the coffee history correctly. These methods you guys used really
worked and most of the time it was not boring, I guess that, the long video you
guys showed us about Turkish coffee history was tiring but I still remember
most of it.
What
was the biggest learning moments on the event for you?
Annika
Rannamets: I learned about Turkish
sarcasm. There was one girl who was afraid of security and was not very sure if
she would like to participate if there are problems as media shows us. One
night before our trip American government asks their families to leave Turkey.
So it was quit risk to join this project. And I could not find courage to ask
this girl to join us anyway. I talked with her family and their decision is that
its ok to go to project but not to Turkey because unsafety situation. I
accepted it. But leader of the project didn’t accept this and I saw the text he
was texting to that girl. Those text were misunderstanding, He humiliated that
girl for feeling her way.
But it came out that
we have had the cheaper ticket – so we couldn’t change her name and if she
wouldn’t come – she would lose all the cost of ticket and it was not small
money. So finally she was in our team.
Main Activities: Pictures;
Coffee history; Popular coffees; Coffee in different countries; Cultural
evenings; Get to know each other; Ring Games and Energizers
Joonas-Siim
Kadak: I liked the idea of being in same room with
people from other countries. To be honest, at first, I was a little scared
about the idea, but once other countries arrived I saw that it’s not so bad. Energizers
were good and fun; kissing a bottle seemed a little weird but as my grandfather
used to say, A man got to do what a man
got to do. Being kissed on the cheek by another man was weird for me, but I
can be sure now that I’m not into men. I would like to point out the circle we
had when we had to speak with each other, when we had to say what bothers us
and what makes us happy. If you have 30 people in one room speaking in the same
time, it is really hard to focus on what the guy/girl in front of you is saying.
But on the other hand we had plenty of time to get to know each other during
the week.
I loved outside
activities we had, I don’t think I can describe that beauty in words that I saw
when we were at Ataturk’s museum or at Hatcettepe's university. I loved that we
had a change to move around and do different activities. I can’t complain about
the food because it is not in my nature. For me it’s bizarre that they eat so
much soup, but I’m from a different culture.
Do
you have any plans to continue follow up? If yes, what?
Annika
Rannamets: No. We made our own website
about that project and we put all the pictures and feedback up there to
encourage next group to join similar projects. There was a large interest
against EVS in my group – so probably this project made us better people and
more motivated in joining other projects and EVS in future.
Would
you recommend it to your friends? I yes, why? If not, why not?
Annika
Rannamets: Yes. Because it the best place
to try your independency and best way to integrate with other countries.
More
comments or anything else you would like to share? You can add here in your own
language, if you want!
Annika
Rannamets: We are very proud to present
our website in this lovely week in Ankara: http://minuankara.weebly.com/ Groupleader
(15 times!)
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