Sixteen-year-olds Honza and Iva from the Secondary Medical School in Krnov are not only classmates, but mainly buddies. Their friendly relationship quickly grew from just meeting in their school desks to becoming best friends after they both decided to join the Stand By Me / Stojím by Tobě project and together improve Ivanka's confidence in the Czech language. By talking together about their shared interests and working on a mini-project about the important topic of integrating Ukrainian pupils in Czech schools, they managed to break down not only Ivanka's language barrier, but especially the prejudice against national minorities in their school.
How did you hear about the buddy program?
HonzaA: We both started in the same class last September and our class teacher came to us saying she had found the Stand By Me program and wanted to try it for the last three months. So we went for it, thinking it wouldn't ruin anything.
What was the focus of your mini project and how did you come to this topic?
Honza: We knew about the mini-project from the beginning from the buddies methodology and we talked about it, but not intensively at first. But then we brainstormed and together we came up with our presentation, which focuses on young Ukrainians in the Czech Republic.
Why did you choose such a goal?
IvannaA: I wanted to learn the Czech language, to get better at it, because something was bothering me at the time. I wanted to become confident in Czech, to stop being ashamed. The discussion was called Ukrainian pupils in Czech schools and it was in Czech. The purpose was to make my Czech classmates realize how we (Ukrainians and Ukrainian women, ed.) is here in the Czech Republic. Because I have encountered problems here that I would not like to experience again. To understand how they feel here, how difficult it is to adapt here, how they struggle with the language and how important it is to help them.
What did the Stand By Me programme bring you?
Honza: It has given me great experience in working with people who are, for example, linguistically disadvantaged. I'm sure I will encounter this later in my professional career as a health professional, so it was very beneficial in that respect. I can now empathise much more with these people with a language barrier. They don't understand, they're lost and they don't know what to do. Whether to ask, think it through or try to deduce it. And it's actually very difficult for them. At the same time, it gave me lessons in English in correcting various mistakes and a great experience in time management to get everything done.
IvannaA: The discussion helped me to realize that my classmates already understood why I was shy and didn't want to talk to them. It has moved me on a lot, I am not ashamed of my Czech anymore, it has boosted my confidence. It makes me feel a bit more comfortable and less foreign. I know I can get along and I'm really happy that I can speak a foreign language as perfectly as Czech. I have better relationships with people and new friends.
How was working with your buddy?
Ivanna: Very good, Honzik is great fun. He really helped me in everything and I'm so glad to have such a person in my life.
HonzaA: Great, because she wants to learn, she went into this project wanting to improve. I never had to persuade her, which I was glad to do. And I think we've made a lot of progress.
What was the biggest challenge?
Honza: The biggest challenge was to come up with activities that would help us improve our Czech and combine them with the preparation of the mini project. The program required us to dedicate at least one hour a week for three months, but our project was more time consuming, so we dedicated more time to it. But it was fun and we enjoyed it. It was hectic at times, but I still think we finished it well.
How will you now follow up your participation in Stand By Me?
HonzaA: We have achieved what Ivča set as a goal, but we will continue to go further and further. Ivča is no longer afraid to talk and I think it is thanks to the buddy program. We talked a lot and then the presentation helped.
IvannaA: I'm sure we will continue to be friends and as far as the project is concerned, we will continue it. I want to stay here, adapt in the Czech Republic.
What would you say to others who are considering the Stand By Me program?
Honza: It's an experience, it's fun and it's definitely something you'll get out of it.
IvannaA: It will really help with the involvement of international students. It will help you make new friends and be a bit more confident and mentally at ease. Improve your self-esteem. Do what you enjoy.
Do you want to join a community of young people who love to share their time with others? Sign up for the Stand By Me volunteer buddy program by the following form. Participation in the project is free of charge and is not necessarily linked to the achievement of any DofE level. So you can join even if you are just thinking about joining the DofE or just want to make new friends. If we can't find a buddy in your city, we'll be happy to connect you with your new friend online.
Anything not clear? Do you have any questions? Write to us at standbyme@dofe.cz.
