Intercultural Learning in an Alternative School
Verein für aktives, offenes und integratives Lernen
Freiraumschule Kritzendorf
Kritzendorf, Austria
Description
Freiraumschule Kritzendorf is an alternative school based on the concepts developed by Rebeca and Mauricio Wild. Stimulating environment, Montessori equipment and intensive support by teachers allow for open and self-determined learning. The curriculum includes among others also intercultural learning and foreign languages. With opening hours from 8:00 to 16:00 the school offers day care for 40 children aged 6-15 years. Leisure activities are in line with the philosophy of the school. The main motivation to host international volunteers is to promote the tolerance between different cultures and traditions, to encourage young people to learn about cultural differences, to develop the understanding what it means to be a 'European', and to deal critically with nationalism. All involved benefit from EVS: volunteers, pupils, teachers, parents. Since 2001 our school has hosted volunteers from different countries, including France, Belgium, Spain, Hungary, Turkey, Italy, Ukraine, Greece.
Accommodation, food and transport arrangements
Accommodation: To start with, we organise a room for the volunteer near the school or with a school family in advance. Later during the project, te volunteer either stays with this family (which happended the last years) or we are also happy to support the volunteer if he/she wants to move (eg to a shared flat...) Food: The volunteer gets a monthly food allowance and on his/her work days will have lunch with the children and teachers at school. Sometimes, volunteers are invited by school families on week-ends. Transport: We provide an annual public transport ticket from home to school.
Training during the activity
On Arrival Training: Volunteers get to know other volunteers, share first impressions of Austria and their ESC projects, talk about ESC and Austria in general, talk about expectations and fears concerning their time in Austria. Mid Term Meeting: Personal reflection of the ESC till then (What happened so far? Did you expect something else?); common work on possible solutions for problems that could occur during the project; setting of future goals for your ESC (How should your ESC project continue? What can be improved?) German course
Participant profile
The volunteer supports our teachers' team in accompanying the children on their learning journeys. He/she should: - be interested in working with children/young people, open to alternative forms of learning and able to approach people. - have experience with cultural activities such as sports, dance, music, cooking, languages,and like to share them. - be prepared to react to the curiosity and creativity of the children rather than confront them with a ready-made program. - be willing to treat the children with respect and as self-reliant personalities. - be able to communicate in English.
Activity dates
From 30/08/2024 to 27/06/2025
Activity location
Kritzendorf, Austria
Activity type
Individual volunteering
Looking for participants from
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo * UN resolution, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine
Activity topics
Education and training
Creativity and culture
Deadline for applications
Application deadline: 30/04/2024 23:59