What challenge inspired this recipe?
Combine outgoing volunteers’ preparation activities with incoming volunteers’ on-arrival or follow-up activities.
Sharing a common space for both groups has proven for us to be a vital part of their preparation / follow-up. They can learn from each other, about their host countries and the language, and share common struggles, hopes, and emotions.
Ingredients :
- space where both groups can have both separate and combined activities
- qualified trainers for both groups
- well planned agenda
- good time management
Step by step guide
Create programs for both target gropus and then check for topics/activities where they might overlap. Our best practice has been an agenda that includes about 60% separate sessions and 40% together, though this depends a lot on the target groups, contents, as well as breaks and free time sessions together.
Possible topics for combined activities are:
- Intercultural learning
- Role of volunteers / project work
- Reflection activities on stereotypes, racism, etc.
Important to highlight!Possible variations might include activities with volunteers that have returned from their stay, but that is something we have not tried out in the frame of a seminar yet. |
Before you start cooking, keep in mind…
Problems might be:
- Language difficulties
- Time management (the separate activities have to be timed well for both groups to be on time for common activities)
- Having enough and appropriate space for all activities
- Program specifics: It can be difficult to find a time frame which fits both outgoing and incoming volunteers’ learning process. In that case a singular event in the preparation of outgoing volunteers where incomings are invited to join voluntarily may be an alternative.
