Anita Nordeide, from Askvoll, Norway, Volunteer in Wales

Project: In CowbridgeYouth Centre, Wales, 0-UK-424
E-mail:

Why are you a volunteer?

I am a volunteer because I wanted a gap year after intensive studies at college. I also wanted to get more experience with practical work- like working in a youth centre. I think it is important to try jobs in different fields before deciding what to do for a career.

Why did you choose Wales?

I chose to go to Wales because I had a lot of contact with people here. This is because I have taken part in several international youth exchanges with Welsh people.
I like Wales because it is a very small country, some people do not even know that it is a country J The history and culture of Wales is interesting, and the Welsh language is one of the most ancient languages still spoken in the world.
I had been to Wales twice before I moved here. The cities are very different from what I am used to in Norway, and I wanted to go to a city where I could go to the cinemas, pubs, clubs etc. However the more rural parts of Wales, like the Northern and Western part are very beautiful with cliffs and big beaches!!!

What do you do?

My hosting organisation is Cowbridge youth centre in the Vale of Glamorgan. I am working in the youth club in the evenings with different projects. My project is very flexible which means that I can decide a lot of what I want to do myself. I want to do more video editing, art and outdoor activities. The youth centre arranges different trips, like a trip to Eurodisney in Paris in October and also trips to outdoor centres.
In my first month I have got a taster of youth work in general. I have worked with a new project which is a training programme that aims to give unemployed young people a fulltime job in the end, and I have been working in the local school, youth club and alternative education programmes for the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

What is bad about being a volunteer?

I live with a family in Cowbridge/Dinas Powys and am the only volunteer here. It is different from the volunteers that live in Cardiff, because they live 11 volunteers together. In a way it is very good because I get to know more local people, the language and the Welsh culture better. However I miss some of the social bits of being a volunteer by living the way that I do.

Three typical Welsh things?

What was your first phrase?

Barod amdani? = are you up for it?

Your best Welsh experience?

Local pubs with people going crazy because I have come all the way from Norway.

Your favorite Welsh food?

Tina's soups

If you had optional things to do, what would you do?

If I have got time off I would go climbing, partying and travel around West Wales.

The most important phrases in your job:

Tea or coffe?
Milk?
Sugar?