Final Reflection

During my long and rewarding  journey with CAS I definitely become more reflective as I started to think about all I was doing and broader about my actions.  For service I decided to help in the local kindergarten, teach English and become volunteer in the orphanage house. Activity was the most pleasant from me. I did attending the gym, take part in school matches and sign up to local handball club. For sure the most tough part was creativity as I am not that kind of art-making person. Therefor I  have decided to learn German and later interested in Origami technique.

Most challenging for me was orphanage house. It had the biggest impact on me. I felt what ‘reality’ means. I felt uncomfortable there firstly as I did know how to act towards children. They are in a small degree different than normal children as they experienced a lot. I become more open-minded and carrying after visiting them. But with the time, in a way I become a member of these children family. They treated me as a kind of sibling with whom they can always talk about and I was always helpful. Despite that young age they know a lot about the life and I tried somehow influence their outlook to be better. I explain them that there are other ways of doing something and sometimes it is a better way. I have learnt that family and especially parent are very important in creating children character and perspective. This allowed me to reflect upon issue of global importance as well as develop new skills.

The most enjoyable was handball playing in the club.  Sport is the best example of collaborated work. Every club member is different however they form one person-team. I learnt how each of the girl in the club play and even was able to predict where to move to make a great action. It also was reverse that after time club member knew how I play. Sport is about harmony and non-verbal communication. As I was older than club members they somehow treated me as a leader and I had to be aware to not become too bossy, because they were creating the team and I was only temporary player. Thanks to that I also a bit developed my leader skills.

Gym exercises let me know more about my physical state and possibilities that I have or do not have. I am the most proud of them as I see the progress in my exercises which is that my body changed a lot. It will definitely bring benefits in my life, because staying in a good form is important in healthy life. I noticed that I am more about doing endurance exercises than weight training in which the technique is needed and apparently I had to learn it, which will be a lot of fun as I love to work out.

In German learning, definitely the new skill I acquired is knowledge about new language and how to speak in that language. It was challenging to remember different words and grammar and do not mix it with English or Polish languages. I used several methods for learning and tape my room with small cards and words on them appeared to be the most effective one. After all it wasn’t that hard and I know now that languages are really important in the self-development process and I want to learn more.

English teaching  was a service which I have done at my place, so I had to plan everything in advance. My school lessons finish quite late, so I had to consider additionally time for my school learning. I had to prepare myself for every English lesson as well as materials and choose proper topic. I have learnt that children are more likely to be effective if they are given awards. I used that method after several lessons and saw improvements in quality of lessons and amount

Most rewarding was working with children in the kindergarten. They were really cute and hug me a lot. I received also a lot of paintings after my services was about to end. However working with children require special ethical code which I had to follow. I had to be aware of the way I speak to them and about how much I can allow them to do. Sometimes I had to be firm but still kind to somehow not hurt children, find the balance and after time I learnt that. I had to control each of my action to be professional and to not cross some teacher-child boundary. Whole experience let me reflect that education is significant in child development and when I will have my own children I will spend time for teaching at home.

Most difficult was origami making as it is a type of work which demand patience and perseverance. Sometimes I had to use a lot of paper sheets to do a particular origami. I had to be focus and motivated and do not give up which I did not despite the fact that I  replay some videos with certain folding several times. It was the activity which I have done at home so sometimes I commit a meeting with my friends in order to finish what I have started and I did not regret it as I feel fulfilled when I saw that my origami looks like it should be. I become more creative and like to do some paper art now. I made several organizers boxes and flowers which decorate my room.

I am really glad that I could experience CAS. I learnt a lot about my abilities. I know that for sure I could become a teacher at kindergarten as I like collaboration with kids and showing them the beauty of living. There is also a lot of things I have to work on. For sure I have to work on my body appearance more and now I know I can handle this. After service in the orphanage house I become more aware of the fact that there are more people who needs our help and basically us. I set up a goal and after my final exams I will undertake for sure another voluntary service and it will be hospice or nursing home.