A Great Training Seminar
Got home to Santiago after a few weeks on the go, out and about. Out of Galicia, but still in Spain. Visited Barcelona (will I ever have enough of this city?), met my parents in Andalusia for holy week (where i saw more than my fair share of Easter processions) and then attended a 3-plus days seminar with over 80 others. On the way to the seminar I was a bit apprehensive, thinking along the lines of, ‘Let’s see what’s gonna pass. A veritable crowd we’ll be and there’ll be confusion to no end.’
But what confusion confusion!? I was positively impressed by how well organised it all was and how smoothly we cruised through the programme. Someone had the brainwave of distributing us into groups of less than 20 and thus it was easy for everyone to talk about and share EVS experiences. There were a good many interesting people; though I didn’t manage to have a chat with everyone, those with whom I did talk were very nice people.
Not a training session, as we were repeatedly informed by the trainers, but an evaluation seminar. And true to their word, it was more about evaluating our projects and each one within his/her project than formal learning. However, at least for me, it did serve to learn at least a few things. It was also an opportunity to learn from the others’ experiences. And that’s one of the great things about seminars in general - in the end one always learns from the other people, even from simply chatting over a coffee and cigarette. (Sideline: in life as well.)
The trainers were a real highlight in this seminar. These guys and gals have such energy it’s impressive. To say nothing of a highly positive attitude. (A message to the trainers: You’re fuckin’ great!) A few times I would arrive for a session half-asleep and without really wanting to do anything. But within a couple of minutes I’d be thoroughly engaged, participating and enjoying myself. Incredible? No, very apt session leaders. That’s what makes a seminar (be it training, evaluation or whatever) a roaring success. And that’s where we were last week :o)
But what confusion confusion!? I was positively impressed by how well organised it all was and how smoothly we cruised through the programme. Someone had the brainwave of distributing us into groups of less than 20 and thus it was easy for everyone to talk about and share EVS experiences. There were a good many interesting people; though I didn’t manage to have a chat with everyone, those with whom I did talk were very nice people.
Not a training session, as we were repeatedly informed by the trainers, but an evaluation seminar. And true to their word, it was more about evaluating our projects and each one within his/her project than formal learning. However, at least for me, it did serve to learn at least a few things. It was also an opportunity to learn from the others’ experiences. And that’s one of the great things about seminars in general - in the end one always learns from the other people, even from simply chatting over a coffee and cigarette. (Sideline: in life as well.)
The trainers were a real highlight in this seminar. These guys and gals have such energy it’s impressive. To say nothing of a highly positive attitude. (A message to the trainers: You’re fuckin’ great!) A few times I would arrive for a session half-asleep and without really wanting to do anything. But within a couple of minutes I’d be thoroughly engaged, participating and enjoying myself. Incredible? No, very apt session leaders. That’s what makes a seminar (be it training, evaluation or whatever) a roaring success. And that’s where we were last week :o)
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