📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Freiraumschule Kritzendorf is an established alternative school, initiated and financed by parents and based on the concepts developed by Rebeca and Mauricio Wild and the pedagogy of Maria Montessori. It is recognised with the same status as public schools under the Austrian education system.
Between 30-40 children aged from 6 to 15 years attend the school. Prepared environment, Montessori materials and support for intrinsic learning by four teachers allow for open and self-determined learning processes in multi-age classrooms. The curriculum includes intercultural learning and the learning of foreign languages. With opening hours from 8 am to 4 pm, the school also offers day care for the children. Leisure activities are in line with the philosophy of the school. For some activities the children are separated in primary and secondary school, for the rest of the time they learn and work together.
💼 What the programme involves
The hosting organization is an alternative school based on concepts such as stimulating environment, Montessori equipment and open and self-determined learning supported by teachers. The program includes also intercultural learning and foreign languages. The school offers day care for 40 children aged 6-15 years. Leisure activities are in line with the philosophy of the school. It hosts international volunteers to promote the tolerance between different cultures and traditions, to encourage youngsters to learn about cultural differences, to develop the understanding what it means to be European, and to deal critically with nationalism. You’ll support the team in caring for the children through your presence and individual, always welcomed, ideas. Practical activities are preparation of the daily snack, accompanying during excursions, and activities with the children according to your own skills and passions (handicrafts, drawing playing games, yoga, dance, language, ...).
🏠 Accommodation on site
The school try preferably to accommodate the volunteers in a family in the neighbourhood, in private rooms: Kritzendorf is a small village on the slopes of the Danube, known for the free accessible steam bath. However, also an accommodation in a shared apartment or a student dormitory in Vienna, which is 20 km. far, easily accessible at any time at half-hour intervals by public transport, can be supported. You’ll gets a monthly food allowance, and on work days will have lunch with the children and teachers at school. The travel from Italy to Austria and back will be completely reimbursed.
🎒 Leisure activities
You will attend a pre-departure training before leaving Italy, a so-called “on arrival training” a few weeks after your advent in Austria and a “mid-term training” after six months of volunteering. The coordinating organization also organise an E.S.C. volunteer day twice a year to get to know each other. As part of this, we visit a chosen part of Lower Austria to learn and experience the local language, history and culture.
⚠️ Requirements
The Participant profile: We invite to apply to our project if you like working with children, and you already have a basic knowledge of German language. We are looking for a volunteer who is responsible and motivated, open-minded, active, and having spirit of initiative. It is important to have an interest in alternative pedagogy, and ideally specific skills in arts, music, handcrafts or sports.
Deadline: Application deadline: 07/04/2023
ℹ️ Additional information
Participants are entitled to receive a Youthpass certificate from the organiser, for recognition of their competence development during the activity. Read more about Youthpass:https://www.youthpass.eu/en/
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label. The Quality Label certifies that the organisation is able to run projects in compliance with the principles and objectives of the European Solidarity Corps.