Workcamp in Deutschland - Güstrow 2010

A workcamp is more than a summer camp...

by Lucie from France

Many, many things happened...

How to start to sum up this wonderful experience? It took place in Güstrow, a small (but it depends compared to what!) city in North of Germany. I say small, because all the people there asked us:  “Why do you come from all over the world in THIS city?”  And this is the thing, this is a good introduction to my report. Because in this small city, in 3 weeks, many many things happened : 17 people, different cultures and ways of life, one language : English,  a forest to take care, mosquitos, a kitchen, a lake, and the sun! 

Before coming, I was a bit anxious of course, because I didn't know how it would go, but I had 2 goals: to have fun, and to meet people. Both of them were more than reached!

In some aspects we are all the same

This experience permitted me to realize that even if we are all different, with different cultures and ways of life, in one side we are all the same, we have many more common points than we think, we can work together, we can have fun together, cook together... we can even talk together about religion, politic and see that we sometimes have the same opinion. There, I never get bored, and when I was not smiling there was always someone to ask me “Hey, what's going on? Let's go to the lake, or to buy ice cream, or....”

I think this mix of cultures is what made the workcamp going better, because we were always learning something about each other, and laughing, discovering and sharing!

I recommend to everyone to go to a workcamp, you won't regret it, even if the first days maybe you feel a bit lost in the middle of all these foreigners, this unease will disappear immediately and then you will enjoy it much !
Do not hesitate, go, go, go!!

The workcamp song

Here is a song that I wrote about the workcamp when I came back (it's from the original music and lyrics of the song “YMCA” by Village People):

Güstrow, a workcamp takes place here
I said, Güstrow, try to find on a map
I said, Güstrow, 'cause you don't know  this town
There's no need to be unhappy. Gustrow, there's many guys to meet

I said, Güstrow, when you want to have fun
You can stay here, and i'm sure you'll find many ways to have a good time.
I-J-G-D, they organize workcamps, IJGD
There is everything for you to enjoy.
You meet people from all the world. We can work together. IJGD  

You can share your culture, you can have a good meal, 
You can do as much breaks you need... Güstrow, and carry some brunches
I said, Güstrow, what the hell can we do ?
I said, Güstrow, you can eat an ice cream.
But you can even go shopping. Being careful to the group money.
I said, Güstrow, forget you own language
And speak English to the IJGD. I'm sure you can be understood!

I-J-G-D, they organize workcamps, IJGD
there is everything for you to enjoy. You meet people from all the world.
JGD We can work together.
IJGD You can share your culture, you can have a good meal,  

You can do as much breaks you need...
Güstrow, and carry some brunches
Güstrow, it's full of mosquitos.
I felt everyone cares if I felt bad. I felt the whole world was gathered.
This experience is enriching, I said, Güstrow, you should had seen it man. There's a workcamp by the IGJD.  

You can't get bored with all of us. It's fun to stay with the IJGD
….. (the same as the beginnig...)