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continuing our series of what sthoee means to you our friend Carolin sent us on this from Gerany ..... enjoy
Hi!
I didn't know much about Sthoee when I came to DCU for the
first time in november 2012. I was new in Dublin, but not new in lifesaving.
I have done lifesaving in Germany for as long as I can
remember. Starting with what you call a “Rookie-Lifeguard” when I was ten,
moving on to the real Lifeguard qualifications at the age of twelve. I am
working at the pool and I am doing swimming and lifesaving classes for children
for at least five years now and I even got my Lifeguard-Trainer qualifications
done lately.
But I really didn't know what to expect from Sthoee.
In the first place, I was pretty much impressed by the
facilities and equipment you have. I think I have never seen that much
livesaving-equipment in one place ever before.
I quickly recognized that lifesaving in Ireland seems to be
a bit different to what we are doing in Germany, it's a bit more practical I'd
say.
We did quite a lot of things at the pool that I've never
done before and some things actually didn't make much sense to me at this
point.
I have never been much of a talkative person and some
language difficulties really made it hard for me to fit in. I wouldn't say that
I hated those sunday nights in the beginning, but until Christmas I really had
to force myself to keep going and I wasn't sure if I'll come back in the new
year at all.
Well, I came back.
Simply because I knew I would regret it if I missed this
chance to learn something new and different about lifesaving and because I
hoped that things would get easier as soon as I get to know people a bit
better.It took me a while and I wouldn't say that I really made friends with
anyone, but for some reason I started to get along with everyone a lot better
than before.
Doing the Beach Lifeguard class was the best decision I made,
I really got a lot more confident in all that lifesaving stuff. It was almost
summer by then and not only did things start to make sense to me, I also
realized that I found a place where I could simply be who I am and I always
felt welcome.
For the last couple of weeks, I spent every sunday night at
the beach and I really started to love it.
If you'd ask me now what I think about Sthoee, I'd say it's
not only a lot of fun, it is probably the best way to spend your sunday nights
at all! There was not a single time when I regretted letting my friends go out
without me because I was heading to the beach or pool instead. It was always
worth it.
I am back in Germany now and I miss those sunday nights
already.
Thanks to Keith and Simon who never gave up explaining
things over and over again if I still looked confused. I am sure it wasn't
always easy having me in your class...
Ihr macht die Welt jeden Tag ein bisschen besser, macht
weiter so! *
Carolin
I really had a great time with you guys and I miss Ireland
already :/
So I'll definitely be back next summer ;)
*You make the world a little bit better every day, keep it up!