SARAH (THE NETHERLANDS)

Volunteered From JUNE 2022 TO AUGUST 2022

2022 Where to begin?! There is so much to tell! First of all, at Habibi Center I rediscovered why I love teaching so much. A feeling I kind of lost in my job in the Netherlands. Here, I returned to the core of teaching, where all the energy and love you put into your classes is returned by the motivation and eagerness of the students. Their comments and questions always surprised me and no class was ever the same or went according to the way I had planned it. I really loved to see the students grow every day, proudly showing me in our conversations they were using the right grammar form or new vocabulary. ‘’Teacher I feel very COMFORTABLE today’’. I also loved the warm environment at Habibi. Steph and the other volunteers were so kind and welcome to me from the beginning. Even though the composition of volunteers changed throughout the time I was here, teachers leaving and teachers arriving, the warm feeling and the mutual bond stayed the same. It was so nice to be able to share this adventure with others and exchange ideas and experiences with each other. I have never felt more at home in a completely new place. I was also blessed in my time here to be able to help organize and attend the 6th anniversary of Habibi Center, a fun, competitive (!) and love-filled day I will never forget. I am very sad I didn’t get to stay longer to help and watch Habibi grow and fulfil all the dreams Steph and Camille have for it. I am forever grateful for this experience and I can’t wait to come back.