Volunteers improved their English, made friends and taught Dutch fans to sing during EURO 2012

21 june 2012 17:36

Kharkiv volunteers have not only obtained new experience during UEFA EURO 2012 but got a lot of friends and positive emotions.

The volunteers of the host city told about it at the media center of official UEFA EURO 2012 fan-zone

They specified they that were working in groups of 5-7 people on the main places of tournament: «Metalist» stadium, Yuzhnuj train station, in International airport «Kharkiv», fan-zone at Svobody square and adjoin territories(Shevchenko garden, vip-parking).

Teh shift of the volunteers was 5 hours, at match day it was a little longer but some of them spent there whole day by their own wish. From 10 to 40 foreign fans asked for the help of volunteers per day. Teh most common question was how to get to «Metalist» stadium. Mostly other question were also about getting to some places.

Volunteers marked that EURO 2012 not only brought them to meet new friends, including foreigners, but to improve their knowledge of English greatly. Besides, some of them found their match on the fan-zone.

As to their words there were no conflicts between the fans in Kharkiv. Also they didn't happen to ask for medical or law enforcement help.

«The emotional charge reduced the strees load we obtained during the day. Foreign fans appeared to be very friendly and companionable. We have communicated mixing different languages and gestures and it brought us together. With the Dutch fans we rehearsed «Chervona ruta» and it was a great fun. Volunteers told them the words of the song and they repeated after them. Finally they sang main couplet and the chorus. It is pleasant that foreign fans became familiar with our culture. And in their turn Dutch fans taught us football chants», - one of volunteers told.

She also shared that together with international organizations they interviewed fans on the topic «Did you like in Kharkiv». According to her words fans were full of positive emotions about Kharkiv city.

The volunteers thanked city authorities for provided uniform and good operating conditions.

We remind that 1200 volunteers work at 12 UEFA EURO 2012 objects. There were also 67 foreign volunteers working in the city from 10 countries. They helped guests in fan-zone. Despite the matches in Kharkiv are over volunteers of the host city will continue their work till the official closure of the tournament.