20th Year!

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Detailed Project Description

Training Phase

The first phase of the internship involves a 3-5 week Training Phase to prepare the intern for the tasks related to the Regional Youth Contact. Key elements of this training are: language and culture learning, training in promotional activities, creative presentations of programs and the philosophy and methodology of Atlantic Bridge. The training is done together with all new volunteers so they all learn together and support each other. Much of the language and culture learning will be through experience: meeting young people; actively participating in the youth culture; observing and discussing Dutch culture and practicing the language through regular interaction with Dutch people.

Research and Promotion Phase

After the training phase the interns start a 2-3 month Research and Promotion Phase where they visit schools, youth clubs, town halls, churches and other places where young people are found. These contact visits include: presentations of their cultural background, European interest topics, cultural topics related to building bridges (interns present themes for discussion and consideration) and promotional presentations to mobilise interest in Bridgebuilders Clubs and EVS (interns build relationships with young people to encourage them to become global citizens interested in other cultures).

In the presentations each intern has a specific task, depending on his/her talents and skills. This research phase can also take the form of a youth research project where interns learn about the lifestyle, culture and mindset of youth in one particular area and then present their findings in a report (Marco Polo Project).

During (or at the end of) the promotional phase, the intern settles into a town or region to discover and get acquainted with one local community. During this 3-6 month “Stranger in Town” Phase, the intern builds deeper friendships with youth and learns about various aspects of community life. This is also the time when the intern is involved in a Bridgebuilders Club and begins to prepare the participants for exchange activities in the summer. During the Bridgebuilders Clubs meetings, the interns and local youth will exchange their culture and background as a way of preparing for the summer exchange, using Atlantic Bridge’s cross-cultural training program.

Summer Activity Phase

The activities of the intern end with the Summer Activity Phase in July and August. The interns are actively involved in an exchange with their Bridgebuilders Club. This club either hosts a group from another country or travels to another country where they are hosted by a local youth group. The interns also participate in a week-long International Youth Festival at the end of the summer.

Tasks

The specific methods of how each phase will be carried out in each region will vary, depending on that region.

Within the projects, there are three specific tasks:

  • Bridgebuilders Coordinator - helps to coordinate the Bridgebuilders program by: creating publicity materials for the recruitment of team members, coordinating presentations and meetings with groups and planning activities.
  • Expression Coordinator – helps to coordinate a form of expression (drama, theatre, dance, street-dance, music) that enables the Bridgebuilders Clubs to make a presentation about their area that they present to others.
  • Events Coordinator – helps to coordinate and organise special events, such as a montly MeetPoint where various groups come together.

One element of the project is the administration and planning of tasks. Planning for Bridgebuilders Clubs, the Youth Research Project and other youth activities involves making phone calls, co-ordinating promotional activities, organising youth events, processing research information, etc. These various tasks are divided among the interns and other local volunteers and staff, depending on their talents and skills.
 
intern program details

Tasks

  • present language, social sciences, current events, religion, culture, etc in (some Christian) schools and youth groups
  • receive training in language, culture and personal development
  • participate in exchanges and activities (some church-related)
  • implement relational youth work
  • assist in a Bridgebuilders Club
  • administrate various tasks
  • help organise activities
  • do youth research
Seven Month Program
February training
March – April discovery / promotion
April – June local community
July – August summer activities
Twelve Month Program
September training
October – December discovery / promotion
January – June local community
July – August summer activities
Approximate Weekly Schedule
Monday training, planning, self study OR free day
Tuesday meetings, self study, language learning
Wednesday administration, planning OR schools’ work
Thursday schools’ work, Culture Club / youth meeting
Friday schools’ work, Bridgebuilders Club
Saturday language learning, administration, Bridgebuilders Club OR free day
Sunday youth meetings OR free day

Goals

  • build bridges of friendship and faith
  • break down walls of prejudice, ignorance and indifference
  • build relationships with (young) people
  • mobilise and train youth to become interested in Bridgebuilding
  • promote cross-cultural and religious understanding
  • start new and encourage existing local youth work
  • help develop Bridgebuilders Clubs
  • promote the methodology of Atlantic Bridge
  • make it possible for various activites and exchanges to happen
  • develop and mature as an individual
 
What is a Bridgebuilder Intern?
A Bridgebuilder Intern is a young person between the ages of 18 and 26 who lives in one of our regions for an extended period of time to help build relationships and develop our projects in that region.
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Living in Kruiningen and at "De Vierslag"
A little glimpse into life for interns...
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