About Megavikend

Basic information

Saturday tracks

Sunday workshops

Trainers

Well, here we go...

So, if you don't know what this is about, we are rightnow going to tell you. Because we are inviting you to theCzech Republic. Why? Because it is going to beabsolutely awesome. What? The thing we are inviting youfor. Because...

THE MEGAVIIIIKEND

IS

HERE

(well, not here, it is in the Czech Republic)

And we are going to tell you everything about it. Rightnow. Well, not really tell, we are going to write it. And noteverything, because there is going to be two such issues.But we will tell you as much as fits into the first one.Right?

What is the Megavikend?

Megavikend is a weekend-long educational event mainlyfor Czech AFS volunteers, however lately we have welcomedmany volunteers from other AFS partner organizations as well.It is one of the most important events in the whole AFS yearbecause, in a mere weekend, all volunteers can participate inmany workshops with diverse foci led by experiencedvolunteers.

Facts about Megavikend 2013:

• The biggest educational event organized by CzechAFS

• It takes place from 11th-13th of October 2013 inČeské Budějovice

• On Saturday, you choose from 6 different tracks,from which 3 are held in English

• On Sunday, you take part in 2 out of 6 workshops

• You meet plenty of interesting people

• In one sentence: IT WILL BE AWESOME

Tracks and workshops

On Saturday, you can choose from 6 different tracks. Atrack is a day-long workshop allowing the participants to godeep into the topic and investigate many details of it.

Saturday tracks

Including the returnees within the AFS societyLanguage: CzechTrainers: Monika Nikolova, Kristýna Žáková

Do you remember the time when you became a volunteer? Youwere on your exchange year and then... what happened? Someonemight have called you, or you just signed up for the AFS meetingyourself and showed up?

Approximately 50 students are sent abroad through AFS, butonly a mere one third of the participants continue as returneevolunteers, which of course is a great pity! Collaborating with you, wewould like to figure out how to work with the returnees before theyare sent abroad. The workshop is mainly for more advancedvolunteers and the members of the DOS group.

Marketing & AFS... how does it actually all work?Language: CzechTrainers: Lukáš Jandač, Kamil Provazník

There is absolutely no doubt, that all of us in the past years haveencountered ourselves with the term marketing at least a thousandtimes. Yet think, do you actually know the meaning of this modernphenomenon? If you have not figured out a satisfying answer to theprevious question come join us for a full day seminar aboutmarketing. We will be discussing the actual significance of marketingand what it consists of. We hope to teach you about AFS marketingas much as possible in order for you to apply it straight after yourarrival from the Megavikend! There will be a range of activitiesvarying from practical work to theory, so don’t hesitate in signing up!

Measuring the loudness of a silence(a very enterTRaining approach to ICC)Language: EnglishTrainers: Niccolo Bertoldi, Yonathan Darmon

In AFS we talk about Intercultural Communication (ICC in short)all the time. We even call ourselves AFS Intercultural Programs. Butwhat is ICC? In this workshop, we look at the two sides of it, trying tofigure out what communication is and how the Interculturaldimension makes it even more tricky and interesting. We learn tospeak with and without words, to listen with our eyes, to measurecultures and the loudness of a silence. We laugh a lot and challengeeach other. We combine intercultural gurus like Hofstede, Bennetand Hall with The Mentalist. We make Latin sound really cool.

We change our words to change the world.

Learning should be fun, so you MUST come to the workshop in agood mood and wearing a smile!

Human Rights Education and Active Citizenshipas a part of Global LearningLanguage: EnglishTrainers: Tereza Vávrová, Viktoria Bedo

In today's world, we encounter a greater variety of perspectives,cultures and communities than ever before. This is partly the result ofglobalisation, through which people and countries have becomeincreasingly connected culturally, politically and economically. AsAFS and its ICL mission envisages a world where people feelconnected and empowered to engage peaceably and effectivelyacross their cultures in the sustainable development of theircommunities. We think this vision is important at this time whendecisions taken locally can have an immediate impact globally andvice versa. We live interconnected lives and therefore we see thetopics of human rights and active citizenship as more thanessential. We are globally connected, let´s get locally engaged!

How do others like to learn?AFS orientations beyond European audiences.Language: EnglishTrainer: Jana Holla

This workshop is meant primarily for current and future AFSorientation leaders, however, anyone interested in how to tackle thequestion of different regional learning and training styles whendesigning a training intervention is very welcome as well.

Put more simply, the goal of this workshop is to look into how wecan make our AFS orientations more inclusive, more non-European-participants-friendly.

How will we go about it? We’ll discover and re-discover ours andothers learning preferences - share our experiences with how weand others learn and train in AFS -, look into some methods andmethodologies not so much used in Europe – in other words,question the current status quo of Western-centered Interculturaltraining approaches – and last but not least get our hands on puttingall of this into practice and designing our own AFS orientations/training sessions for non-European audiences.

In the process, we’ll come upon some theory yet the main idea isto “get our hands dirty” and try out and apply tools known and lessknown (in the spirit of experiential and participatory learning).

Reaching an understanding when solving conflictsLanguage: CzechTrainer: Michal Dubec

The participants will be presented with the way our brain worksduring conflicts and the effect it has on our behavior and relationshipsignals. We will try to work consciously with these relationshipsignals in particular conflict situations. We will discuss anddistinguish between evaluation, divination, mentoring, the denial ofthe world by the rest and other personal attacks, which are usuallythe base of all interpersonal conflicts. We will learn how to usedescriptive language, to search for the needs of others during aconflict and to convey our needs in such manner that we won'tendanger the status, sureness, autonomy and trust of others. I willintroduce you to the evaporative cloud of conflicts and we will try toapply this theory in a specific situation.

Sunday workshops

On Sunday, there are six workshops, which will berepeated two times, so that you can actually choose any two ofthem.

Living LibraryLanguage: CzechTrainers: Michaela Svobodová, Kristýna Polášková

You. Me. Your parents. Siblings. Friends. We all have our uniquestory. That story may possess an incredible amount of power when inparticular combined with well-formulated questions. This is exactlyhow the Living Library works. Instead of the presence of books thereare people and their stories. Instead of reading, the readers have alive conversation with the person.

If you are interested in sharing your own story and thereforebecoming a living book or being a reader and getting to know aboutother people’s lives and experiences, please come join us! We willnot only reveal the interesting method you have definitely not had theopportunity to encounter but also pass on the skills to become theorganizers of these great events!

Let Yourself Be MovedLanguage: EnglishTrainers: Petra Doležalová, Yonathan Darmon

Have you ever felt not quite yourself? Do your brain and yourheart sometimes fight on opposite sides of the barricades? Do you attimes get surprised or even overwhelmed and confused by your ownemotions?

Join us at the beginning of a journey to self-exploration: with thehelp of the perfect tool, your own body, and its most primeval form ofcommunication – movement and dance. We will introduce you to away which might not seem all too easy at first but is a safe andworthy one. With the help of improvisation, spontaneous movement,free associations, and last but not least, the others, our immediateexperiences will let us become aware of and look for connectionsbetween the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive parts of

ourselves. The ultimate goal? Tuning into, finding unity in and makingsense of ourselves as well as our surroundings. That will probablynot come as a result of one 90-minute session or overnight but willhopefully find and open up some hidden doors and initiate theprocess. So switch off for a moment, let yourself be moved...andlisten...to yourself.

N.B.: We will move on the floor a lot, so (clean!) socks andcomfortable clothes – preferably long pants and sleeves – are amust.

Time management: Don’t be slave of your work and lack of time.Language: EnglishTrainers: Petra Pojerová, Philipp Landgraf

• Do you also think you would need the 8th day in a week? Buthow would you use the spare time? By working harder,seeing friends or sleeping? How would you feel the 8th dayin comparison with other 7 days?

• Do you also refuse invitations for fun activities because youfeel busy? / Do you always attend all fun activities eventhough you feel busy? But what is your priority? To see yourfriends and relax or get the work done? And when youchoose, are you able to make the best of your time?

• Do you also postpone annoying tasks for tomorrow? But howdo you feel once you have finished you work? Released?

• Do you also find some better task to do exactly at themoment you should start studying for an exam? But howimportant is cleaning your apartment to you at that moment?Is it really that important?

Don’t worry! You can fix it! You just need to set your mind a bitdifferently and maybe use some handy techniques and tips.

I, the VolunteerLanguage: EnglishTrainers: Lucie Čížková

Are you too busy to pause for a moment and “think big”? Do youever ask yourself why you became a volunteer in the first place andwhat’s in it for you in the future? Do you feel in control of your“volunteer career” or is it “just happening”? No matter the answer, ifthese questions appeal to you then join in the “I, the Volunteer”workshop.

This reflection session is not about gaining new knowledge,acquiring skills or developing competencies. However, it will provideyou with a clearer idea about who you are as an AFS volunteer andhow you want your volunteer future to look like. Also, we’ll make sureto identify some of the strategies and next steps that will move you inthe direction of your future dream.

We are going to ask and answer a lot of appreciative questions;we’ll work with visualizations and apply a strategic planning toolcalled SOAR (strengths, opportunities, aspirations,resources/results) adapted for personal life. Expect to travel in time(both forward and backward) and also to enjoy the present moment!

Experiential learningLanguage: CzechTrainer: Martina Gilarová

During this workshop we will learn about experiential learning viagames and other activities. Not only will we acknowledge our mostcommon stereotypes and prejudices but we will also explore themeaning of multicultural education.

Public SpeakingLanguage: CzechTrainers: Lenie Šmejkalová, Kristýna Žáková

Are you nervous when speaking publicly? Are you insecureabout what to do with your hands or where to stand? Or do you justwant to find out how to “dress” the transferred message in the bestway? We will be focusing on practical activities and training. Thisworkshop will be led in Czech.

Trainers

Read who is going to lead the tracks and workshops. Inthis issue, we are presenting the first half of the trainers, therest of them will be introduced in the next one. You see – thereis a lot you can look forward to.

Kamil ProvazníkCountry: Czech RepublicTrack/Workshop: How to present AFS?

What did life with AFS give you andtake away from you?

I know that this might sound slightlypathetic, but I am convinced that if it werenot of my AFS experience I woulddefinitely not be the same person I amtoday. AFS has enriched me with not onlymany great new experiences but also hastaught me how to become independent ata younger age, meet great friends andcolleagues and how to orientate myself intoday’s world. My case is definitely notcopied and pasted from a promotionalhandbook. What has it taken away fromme? A certain amount of time, which Icould’ve used up in a different and less

meaningful way.

What future plans do you still have in AFS? What would you liketo achieve in AFS?

Up to this date it is my fourth year at the AFS board. It mightseem like there is no more room for improvement but I believe thatpeople are constantly learning and AFS enables this as it offers agreat variety of learning. Due to the workload from my current job Iwill unfortunately not be connected to AFS as much as in the pastnevertheless I will stay in touch.

If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it beand why?

I’ve actually never really thought about it. Looking at Czechnames I really like the name Michal, German names ex. Tobias. Idon’t really have a reason in itself, the names just sound nice. Iwouldn’t change my name for the world, I had quite a lot of successwith it in Turkey.

Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, whatwould you be?

During my hectic days I wish I were a fish in the sea, which canswim away from all the daily traps, and difficulties I have to face fromtime to time.

Kristýna ŽákováCountry: Czech Republic (Prague)Track/Workshop: Including the returnees within the AFS society; Public speaking

What did life with AFS give you andtake away from you?

It has given me an incredible 10years of intercultural experiences, newfriendships and a lot of valuableknowledge and skills. It hasn’t takenaway a thing from me- maybe except thefear of the unknown.

What future plans do you still have inAFS? What would you like to achievein AFS?

My desire is to continue in givingworkshops and to develop educational

awareness via AFS. Hoping we will be primarily recognized as aneducational organization not only by the public if not so by all thevolunteers themselves.

If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it beand why?

I have no desire of changing my name; I’d say my parents did agood job on that. I would appreciate though if people would finally

understand where to write y and where i in my name...

Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, whatwould you be?

I’ve never really given it a thought. But considering that ourtortoise Zuzanka didn’t even survive the winter, I’d rather not take therisk.

Kristýna PoláškováCountry: Czech Republic (The office)Track/Workshop: Living Library

What did life with AFS give you andtake away from you?

I could definitely write a book aboutthis! It has unquestionably taken a lot ofmy spare time, which I have substitutedby the work that I love and has a explicitpurpose. What more could I ask for?

What future plans do you still have inAFS? What would you like to achievein AFS?

One of my future goals is that,schools know what AFS is, what it offersand actively search anything related to

AFS’. No more than step by step to change the educational systemof the Czech Republic. If you are by any chance interested to join meon this journey contact me: kristyna.polaskova@afs.org

If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it beand why?

I wouldn’t change my current one. The greatest advantage of myname is, that most of the foreigners I have ever met have alreadyheard about it or already know it. Therefore it is not difficult for themto memorize or pronounce it. I’d rather change my surname, butthat’s a whole different story...

Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, whatwould you be?

Hell no! I would probably suffer a lot, having to wait days wherenobody would feed me, take me out for walks or cuddle. Definitelynot something I’d go for!

Lenie ŠmejkalováCountry: Czech Republic (Plzeň)Track/Workshop: Public speaking

What did life with AFS give you andtake away from you?

It has given me countless newexperiences and the best friends withwhich I continue having greatadventures of life. It has taken away theeasy black and white world I had inmind before. Everything seems so muchmore difficult than in the past, whichsometimes is quite heavy to carry.

What future plans do you still have inAFS? What would you like to achieve in AFS?

At this precise moment I am starting up a Club of ProfessionalTrainers and Joint-Pot (an initiative which we are developing togetherwith Hungarians and Austrians and hopefully with future cooperationof Slovaks and Poles)

If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it beand why?

Eleonor (because of Eleonor Roosevelt – a fighter for humanrights, obviously!)

Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, whatwould you be?

To be honest not really, I don’t really enjoy greens. If I were tohave a pet it would definitely be a goat ;)

Lukáš JandačCountry: Czech Republic (board of AFS)Track/Workshop: Marketing & AFS... how does it actually allwork?

What did life with AFS give you andtake away from you?

Partly thanks to AFS I am the personwho I am today, therefore it seemsrather impossible to list everything it hasgiven to me these past 7 years. Whathas it taken away from me? Probably notonly time which I wouldn’t have beenable to spend in a better way anyways.

What future plans do you still have inAFS? What would you like to achievein AFS?

With the cooperation of all AFSvolunteers I look forward to spreadingthe word about AFS in hopes that even a

stranger on the street will know what it is, which is the case in Italyfor example.

If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it beand why?

I think Lukas is ok, besides everyone knows that I love myselfway too much...

Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, whatwould you be?

Most definitely my cat Mikes, he had a spectacular life – I sendyou greetings to cat heaven!

Martina GilarováCountry: Czech RepublicTrack/Workshop: Experiential learning

What did life with AFS give you and takeaway from you?

New horizons, opportunities, friends,experiences, self-realization. It has taken abit of my privacy and time.

What future plans do you still have inAFS? What would you like to achieve inAFS?

I would like to: continue gaining newexperiences, be a lecturer even in differentactivities, increase workshops in schools,spreading the word about AFS and to learnhow non-profit organizations work.

If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it beand why?

I don’t know, I’m quite happy with the name I currently have.

Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, whatwould you be?

Why should I? I have more than enough pets surrounding mealready...

Michaela SvobodováCountry: Czech Republic (Prague)Track/Workshop: Living Library

What did life with AFS give you and takeaway from you?

If I were to make a list of everythingthat I have gained from AFS, it wouldprobably be enough for an article in thenewspaper. With some acquisitions I meeton a daily basis including great friends,many unforgettable, irreplaceableexperiences and adventures. Theopportunity of growing each an every dayis also one of the ones on the top of thelist. To be frank with you, it has taken a lotof my free time, which I have spentvoluntarily. My life with AFS has therefore

gotten rid of boredom and stereotypes of life.

What future plans do you still have in AFS? What would you liketo achieve in AFS?

Most of the times I reach my AFS goals unexpectedly and withno planning whatsoever. I believe that, even a path can be a goal’,so I therefore do everything to my best knowledge andconsciousness. The outcomes usually surprise me.

If you should choose your (new) first name, what would it beand why?

As I child I wasn’t extremely fond of my name but nowadaysthere is not a single thing I’d change about it. I am proud of myoriginally Hebrew name that means, resembles God. Another greatthing about the name is that you can easily create a lot of nicknamesfor it.

Have you ever wanted to become your own pet? If so, whatwould you be?

I feel like a pet myself already. My favorite activity is to pampermyself.

And what's next?

In the next issue, you will learn:

• Who is preparing it (about the prep-team)

• Who will be doing it (about the trainers)

• How to get to České Budějovice

• What you must not forget at home

• What it is going to look like (the program)

• The rules (of the game)

• AND A LOT MORE

Do you want to know more right now?

Then visit our website www.afs.cz/megavikend -en/

Our thanks to...

Megavikend 2013 is organized thanks to the project "Volunteers together" supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports