top of page

PR, MARKETING & MEDIA DEPARTMENT
NEWSROOM DESK

PEOPLE+ | Passion for sports

    Life is not always easy; it is usually hectic. During the daily routine life, we do our tasks and enjoy our spare time with some activity. This activity is our hobby.

    One of the best things about going to Erasmus+ projects is meeting different people with all kinds of characters, intrests and hobbies. Being able to hear and talk about things you never have before is a truly amazing, mind-opening experience. While we are all at home during lockdown and can't be making those conversations in person, two of our participants - Valentin Bodurov and Asen Manolov from passed projects are going to share with you their passion and interest about sports.

    ree

    "My hobby is to play sports. Most of all I like to play basketball. In my opinion, Basketball is one of the most interesting and exciting games. I started playing basketball when I was 10 years old in my hometown, I joined the local team when I was 12 years old and remained there to my high school graduation. During these 6 years when I was training active, I learnt that you should always fight for your aim which you want to achieve. And that you should always believe in yourself, in power and opportunities.


    Now, when I don’t train actively but just for fun, I try to use the things I have learnt in the basketball court to my life.


    Basketball is very important and irreplaceable part of my life. I am happy that I had the opportunity to experience this adventure and made my dream came true- to be one real athlete.

    Finally my advice to everyone is:

    Never give up and follow your dreams!


    As Michael Jordan is says: „I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. 26 times I have been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I have failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.“


    by Valentin Bodurov

    Participant in YE “Save our money”

    ree

    "Ever since I was little, I felt the urge to do sports and there was not a single period in which I wasn’t training anything since then. The first sport I took on with persistently was boxing, but then I decided that getting my head hit in the long term was not my thing. For this reason, I decided that I want to do some type of martial arts.

    Mixed martial arts were just beginning to gain popularity and my interest in this type of sport brought me to the concept of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It is a mixture of all types of martial arts and there are two ways for you to practice it. The first type involves wearing a special kimono and there are much more grappling positions which you can use to combat your opponent than the second type which is without a kimono. Personally, I prefer the option without a kimono because it seems more interesting to me. I have taken part in many competitions, both on a national and international level. I have won many medals and just like any other competitor I have suffered many losses. Losing is what motivates me most because I learn from it, and life, after all, is a continuous learning process."


    by Asen Manolov

    Participant in YE “Design your future”

    ree

    VIE+W | Conflict management in the youth field

      Conflicts are an integral part of young people’s everyday life. They are related to going through different phases of awareness, identification and realization. The common idea is that they represent negative situations which are related to falling into profound crisis. In fact, conflicts are to a great extent a motive power towards change and development. They help for the development of the ability to overcome hostile feelings and searching for things that bring people together. Going all the way to solving conflicts, young people learn to cooperate and put themselves in the shoes of the opposite party. Conflicts are a great catalyst for initiating an effective communication.

      ree

      Conflicts exist in all communities – social, national, professional, religious, etc. In this connection, Emile Durkheim, one of the founders of Sociology, writes: ‘Conflicts are universal phenomena in social life, but they are not quite universal with respect to cooperation, contacts and unity between people. If the conflict is solved effectively and peacefully, it has a twofold role – a signal for social issue and simultaneously, a means for restoring social balance’.


      Therefore, it should be assumed that conflicts are a natural and integral part of young people’s lives, so this is why it is important for conflicts to be foreseen and it is necessary to adopt methods for overcoming them.


      Psychological strain occurs as a result of the accumulation of numerous unsettled conflicts which has its negative physical and material consequences. Young people get stressed and this reduces the limen of sensations, it narrows one’s awareness, it manifests as rigidity in the mental process, depression, a drop in one’s motivation and desire to work. As a result of the great amount of energy spent during the conflict process, one’s activity is also lowered. Having in mind all these negative consequences over individuals and communities, we understand why it is so important to solve conflicts.


      ree

      The key to overcoming a conflict is to create a connection or regenerate such within the community. We don’t have to like someone in order to create a connection with him or her. The common goal unites and provokes towards tolerance and making compromise. It is necessary to create an environment of friendship and trust, mutual respect, positivism and cooperation. Leaders must learn how to create balance and listen patiently to young people. They must encourage other people to talk about the issue so that a constructive strategy for problem solving is formed.


      It is important to keep an open and calm conversation which focuses on the positive result and is directed towards a common goal. Each attempt to manifest hostility, criticism or aggression is inappropriate. It is necessary to provide an atmosphere of comfort and safety. Conversations must be interactive, and everyone should be able to share his or her opinion freely without being afraid of rejection. These components will result in the establishment of sincere and productive two-sided relationships. An essential aspect of positive communication in moments like this is to use the energy of the body, emotions, intellect and spirit by taking part in team games and amusements.

      ree

      In order to maintain an effective dialogue, we must find the reason behind the conflict. Among the common reasons behind disagreements are differences in goals, interests and values. It is crucial to determine if a certain conflict relates to interests or to needs. Interests are more fleeting and shallower – like property, money or career; needs are more fundamental, they are not subject to negotiations – such as identity, security and respect. Many conflicts arise over interests, but they actually refer to needs. For instance, when losing his or her promotion at work, one can seem upset by the loss of additional money, but the real pain is caused by the loss of respect or loss of identity.


      We must also mention the positive results from conflicts. These are: solving issues which are caused by contradiction and clashes when having mutual interests and goals, achieving understanding and trust and strengthening partner relationships. The establishment of cooperation, the overcoming of conformism, subordination and the aspiration towards supremacy are all an integral part of coping with conflict situations.

      by Krasimira Drumeva

      PARTICIPATE+ | ESC vacancies in Germany

        If you have interest in volunteering, here are some amazing opportunities for you. ESC volunteering vacancies are open for participants in the following projects:

        Residential Home for the Elderly Brenzheim

        Wolfach

        Project start June 2020 or later, duration 12 months

        OID: E10035362

        Residential Home for the Elderly Marienhaus

        St. Johann e.V. Freiburg

        Project start June 2020 or later, duration 12 months

        OID: E10052387

        Sheltered Workshop for the Disabled

        Dornstetten,

        Project start May 2020 or later, duration 12 months

        OID: E10127291

        Residential Home for the Elderly

        St. Martin Löffingen

        Project start September 2020, duration 12 months

        OID: E10053997


        For all of the projects mentioned above candidates without academic degrees are needed.

        Family Holiday Village

        Schramberg

        Project start July 2020 or later, duration 12 months

        OID: E10091815

        Since the volunteer will work at the reception of the organisation candidates with advanced knowledge of german language are needed.

        State School for the Hard of Hearing Stegen

        Project start September 2020, duration 11 months

        OID: E10098100

        Integrational workshop for the Disabled - Support and Assistance Weingarten

        Project start September 2020, duration 12 months

        OID: E10083947

        Kindergarten der Kulturen Freiburg

        Project start September 2020, duration 12 months

        OID: E10023218

        Residential Home for the Elderly "Emmaus"

        Haiterbach

        Project start September 2020, duration 12 months

        OID: E10089874

        Sheltered Workshop for the Disabled

        Dornstetten,

        Project start September 2020, duration 12 months

        OID: E10127291

        Candidates interested to join any of these projects should send their CV and the completed questionnaire you'll find attached below to stz1099@stw.de.

        bottom of page