The journey within. Through Norway, through the heart.
I was 13 years old when I met Stella Polaris theater. Looking back on the past 7 years, I can clearly say that Stella and EVS has changed my life. This is the first summary what I have made ever since I left my home country, Hungary. I invite everyone, who would like to read through the essence of my long journey.
When I left my village I was 18 years old. Liked to party, hang out, being free and irresponsible. I got an offer from Stella that I could join them for one year as an EVS, and despite that I had a year left to do in school, I said yes. I felt that something awaits me in the cold Norway, and I went for it, even though I was full of fears and doubts. My family and my friends supported me, my school gave a permission to leave for one year, as a „gap year”. I am still in Norway now, as a professional actor in Stella Polaris, and I did not regret one moment of the journey behind me.
Difficulties occur when we have to cross our own borders. When we have to stand on our own feet, being independent for the first time, trying to become a man from a small boy. I do not know if I am a man now, but I do know that my life transformed completely, and I learned to stand on my own feet and take responsibility for my acts.
In the very first month, I have met the love of my life here in Stella Polaris. She was a short-term EVS in our project, so I can say that EVS brought us together :-) After half year of long-distance relationship, she has moved in to our EVS flat, and we live together ever since. Or actually not totally.
My last school year was a very difficult time, when I had to realize that if I have became a "responsible person" abroad, it does not mean that I am the same at home, in my old environment. It is a kind of re-learning process. As I have said before, I had a year left in Hungary after the EVS year. I had to go back and finish my studies, do my final exams. In the meantime, I was flying back and forth between Norway and Hungary, for I was a free-lancer actor in Stella Polaris, and my status was private-pupil in the school, so I could do that. My girlfriend was a long-term EVS in Stella that time, and she was also waiting for me there. When I was in Hungary, I spent all my time in the school, living together with my classmates, sharing a flat. I had the life of an "almost adult" in Norway, and I was expected to be a "youngster" in Hungary. This was the most challenging part, except the travels, and studying in between. It is really a re-learning to be the new you with the people, who know you as a different person. It took time, but I am proud of myself in this matter. After this year, when I had done my final exams pretty well I was offered a full-time job in Stella Polaris. I could leave my country again with a clear heart, feeling that all my duties are done.
I have travelled with the theater to different countries, met a lot of people, and new things. I am different then I was, and I am very happy about it. I could not imagine that my EVS year would take me to such heights. I do not know about the long-term future, but I know that whatever happens, my journey will keep on. Through Norway, through the heart.