Softmate - training course in Greece

Softmate

What do we mean by soft skills and how can we apply these “soft skills” in our daily activities? These were precisely the questions our five-member Slovak crew answered during a sunny May week near the town of Litochoro in Greece. The training course, which aimed to enrich us with new communication skills and knowledge in the field of teamwork, also prompted us to reflect. After all, how else, at the slow pace of the Greek way of life “siga, siga” and inspired by the rich history and philosophy of this country, we easily got lost in our thoughts.

Litochoro became our week-long paradise not only due to its location between Mount Olympus and the Aegean Sea. And although that mattered, the reason was also not the three-course lunches and dinners full of olives, feta cheese, and well-baked meat and seafood. The most precious treasure for us were the bonds that formed between us and the other participants of the course. Together, we represented up to 8 countries, stretching from southwestern Portugal and Spain to northeastern Latvia. We were united by shared afternoons on the beach, where we tried to swim through the waves and get a tan for the summer, as well as dancing the Karička, which our dearest eastern Slovak girls taught everyone. Our love for music brought us closer together, as we strummed guitars together in the evenings, and especially the training course program, which encouraged us to open up to each other.

One of the strongest moments of teamwork, which showed us how to share our knowledge while also seeking compromise, was the Climate Fresk card game, where we tried to find connections between the causes and consequences of climate change. Movement activities, where we had to lead each other blindfolded, deepened our trust, allowing us to have deep discussions about our feelings. The biggest experience, however, was the ascent into the hills surrounding Mount Olympus, where one of the Slovak warriors set off as early as eight in the morning, and the others followed him. Being in nature made us think even more about how we can more effectively transfer the experience into our lives and our own projects in Slovakia.

And so, after a week spent with new friends, acquired skills, and jointly created memories, we packed our luggage. With smiles on our faces and a few tears rolling down our cheeks, we promised each other that we would not easily forget this Greek adventure.