You are probably wondering who Paula is and why we are asking her 5 questions. Paula is from Latvia and came to us to volunteer. We owe it to the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), which supports this and other projects, that she can spend a year with us at FACE CLUB and bring a piece of her culture to us. Through this interview we will try to introduce Paula to you, but know that meeting her in person is much better. You can meet her and put your English, Russian or Latvian language skills to use at FACE CLUB, but certainly outside it too.
- Could you briefly introduce yourself, please? Who are you, actually?
My name is Paula Diana Šulca and I come from a small but beautiful village in the middle of Latvia called Vecpiebalga. I have lived most of my life in this village; I went to nursery, school and after-school activities here. I am currently 22 years old and recently decided to leave everything I know and come to live for a year and volunteer at the FACE CLUB youth club in Slovakia.
- What do you like to do in your free time?
Now that I am in Slovakia, my free-time activities have changed a little. In Latvia, most of my free time was taken up by traditional Latvian dances. Every week I had dance training, every month performances, and a party after every performance. Now that I am away for a year, I have a bit more time for my other interests. When I am not at FACE CLUB, I travel or go out with friends. You can usually find me at home, where I cook (mostly baking cakes, biscuits and other sweets), read a good book or have a film night with friends.
- What was your motivation for coming to Slovakia for 1 year?
I was never sure what I wanted to be or what I wanted to do in life. At first I went into what others motivated me towards, saying it could be a great job for me: programming. It didn't turn out that well, so I started looking for opportunities that better suit my interests and hobbies. Then I found this project. I have always enjoyed working with people, especially children. I knew it was time to change something in my life.
- When did you first hear about Slovakia? Had you been here before? Was the choice of country a decisive factor for you? If so, why Slovakia in particular?
I am not entirely sure when I first heard about Slovakia, but I know that when I was a child, my parents went on holiday to Slovakia and liked it very much. So when I had the chance to join a project run by an international debate education association and go to Bratislava for a week, I knew I had to do it.
When I decided to apply for a European Solidarity Corps project, I chose the project that most resembled what I want to do, but the country definitely played a role too. I have always loved mountains, maybe because we don't have them in Latvia :D, so I hoped to go on a project in a country where there are mountains. I also knew it would be easier to live in a country where the culture and people aren't too different from what I am used to. So Slovakia and this project were an ideal place for me to go.
- What have you managed to do since you arrived? What is your best experience?
I have been here for a few months and I have already had many great adventures and experiences. I have travelled a little (Bratislava, Poprad, the High Tatras, Prague, Vienna), swum in a crater, cycled to Kežmarok, spent a night in the forest and met lots of new people. From the very first moment I arrived, everyone was very kind and friendly. Young and old people who speak English, and even those who don't. I am starting to learn Slovak, so it is nice to begin using it, even though the conversation on my side is not entirely Slovak; it is more something between Slovak, English and Russian.
