Faisal Hanneche (France)

Red Cross Nordic United World College Leirskule, Flekke, Fjaler
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Why were you a volunteer?
The main reason was to leave the french gettho and go see the world for doing thinks I was not formated to do.I could do that without EVS ,but this EVS made it more easy and practical .The other reason was the notion of service for the comunity where I was living and in this case it was Europe. I was thinking, and still do, abouth to take an active and responsable part of the big fellowship we call Europe and I think I succed.I was rigth because with my european service this notion of "european citizenship" was not one of those many abstractions of life but something real and solid.To make ourself in the service of the comunity and without expecting any material compensation, is the best way to feel the human aspect of our world.

Why did you choose Norway?
I was very intrested abouth the social exemple of northern european countrys like Norway, Danmark, Sweden, Finland, Island and Netherland.
My first choice was Danmark so I went there by myself to see how it was.After that I founded  more intresting to go in a more "exotic" place and Norway had my favor.I was reading abouth the country and the peoples and I was thinking how different they was from my own country.Well The only think I can say it s I have no regrets abouth my choice.

What did you do?
When I arrived my comunication skills was very limited because my english was so poor(....Ok,ok unexistant)  and my norvegian was not existing yet.So I spend my first summer by learning, learning and learning.Then came my first working task with european summer camp wher I was helping for a bit of everything.At the end of the summer camp was comming my work with UWC as sport instructor for the whol scholar year.By this time I was taking part on the college life but also part of the Dale s life by helping on the youth house and other samll thinks.I did not have plan when I came (because I was the first volunter) so I hade to found for myself and it was a good experience.

What was bad about being a volunteer?
When I arrived in the Sunnfjord area it was difficult for the peoples to understand why someone is coming from the other side of europe just for helping them for a very small income.Well Sunfjord is not Africa and they dont need assistance so I hade to explaine that and it was my first challenge to be accepted by the local comunity.But many of them was very warm and open, they make my integration be a succes.After that I think there is some problems but they are part of the civilian service and they are mentioned in the contract so they are normal and there is nothing to say abouth them.

Three typical norwegian things?
Raspbollar, the goats over the roof and the friendship.What was your first phrase in Norwegian?
I would say "vaersogod" but it s a word.My real first sentence was: "Det er jo fint med snø"

Your best norwegian experience?
I want to say wemen but not for the reason you think (I could hear you thinking:)).I say wemen because they are so different than french wemen: they are realy strong, free, open minded, tollerent and they can be as good skier than mens.So I learn a lot in theme contact.

Your favorite norwegian food?
Salmon cooked on fire with some spices right after it was fished in the border of the fjord.

If you had three optional things to do, what would you do?
Since I came,in 1999, I have been living five years in Norway and I have done all thinks who could be done for a simple person like me.In the fjords of Vestland I was diving, kayaking, climbing, skiing, riding,boatsealling ,swimming, gameldancing and loving.In Lofotens islands, I was diving with Orcas,I was fishing "torsker" with locals.I crosed Laponia many times and meet the samis at Mo i Rana, Kotokeinoe and Kirkenes ,I have been living with them and saw the shamans in action. I was driving dogs in Spitzbergen.I was to the nobel price ceremony.I crossed the millenium in Oslo.Many times I meet the local queen and king.I was with Mari Boine at the royal wedding.In Finse I was watching "Jansens søner" with Earling Kaag ,Borje Ousland and Svein Nordin and after that I was skiing with them in Ardangerjøkulen.The elements was there too:amazing northern ligth,cabhatic storms with 2 meters of snow on one nigth, the deepest fogs, the colorfull sunrise and sunset, the rain and the rain and always the rain. And there is many think I cant say here but there is no three optional things.All have been done and well done.

The most important phrases in your job:
"So it wil be writen,So it will be done".....No sorry that was my other job.

I hade no important phrases but I hade some words who hade no real mening like:"Robert Bouchard" "Mister Beeeeaneuuu" "Asta la boumba" and I cant tell you wher I take those words from but they was present during my service.