Orientation: Post Language Classes, Real Hungarian. (Almost)
Monoszlo, Magyarorszag

Our language classes winded down and we greeted a whole new group of people, doubling the size of the group in Monoszlo (I believe 26 volunteers in total, plus other staff). The new group from Transylvania (Romania), Ukraine, other places in Hungary, and Switzerland (Hungarian ancestry, I think she speaks 4 or 5 languages fluently!) helped us to realize just how little Hungarian we knew and once again made us come to terms with the fact that indeed we would have to learn the language to get around. Our language classes had been based in English and all the volunteers in the class spoke excellent English, so even while in Hungary, we were continuing to live our lives in English. What a good wake up call the other volunteers were to us!

We spent time getting to know each other through games and activities as well as a couple of night sessions of telling our stories—how our lives have gotten us to the place to be volunteers. A variety of backgrounds and lives, some harsh, some relatively easy, all coming together to give a year to do something that hopefully will be positive and meaningful, all looking for depth and meaning in life. The group meetings and sessions were interesting experiences because they were done in both Hungarian and English. When someone would speak it would be translated. This was a nerve wracking experience in some ways because you hoped that what you expressed would get translated properly! I found myself trying to be very careful with words and fearful that a wrong message might get sent. For the most part however the translation seemed to work smoothly. An amusing thing was when someone would say something funny all the people who spoke that language would laugh and about 2 minutes later when it finally got translated everyone else would laugh. Oh the language barrier!

Kristy, Matt, and Jeff (American volunteers) taking a rest when we went on a long walk through the countryside around Monoszlo

Country roads along the way

On the Saturday night during the five day orientation a Roma band came and sang/played for us. Made up of children from the Budapest area, there were 3 young singers, a drummer, and the leader (father of the drummer) played guitar. After some songs we also learned a few Roma dance moves. A great night!

The band

A gypsy song they taught us

 Throughout my experience from the application process for the YAGM program, to telling people about it, to asking for support, and finally being in Hungary I have felt so enormously blessed and thankful for the kindness I have met along the way. It has been absolutely overwhelming to have experienced so much love and generosity and many times throughout the past months I have been moved almost to tears from the great and beautiful human spirit that binds us all together. At the YAGM orientation I felt so grateful and happy to be with the other volunteers, former volunteers, and in the presence of the ELCA Global Mission staff because of our common interests, hopes, and ability to share our lives and spirituality with each other. At orientation and since arriving in Hungary I have also felt overwhelmed and amazed by kindness and hospitality and once again have been grateful for the ability to share openly about feelings, spirituality, and life in general. Even with language barriers and inability to express oneself well with words, graciousness and kindness show through and the chance to meet with people and feel connected can still be experienced.

In the end, a really good orientation even though I have felt a little oriented out! (A week in Chicago, 10 days of language "orientation," and then 5 more days!) It is a good and strange feeling to finally be starting the work that I have been orienting about for all this time! Excited for Magyarmecske.