Report from Moscow

Moscow: A great and inviting city proposed emotions and challenges. I was overwhelmed by the hospitality of this metropol of wich I had only read about.

The reason I went to Moscow in the first place was the invitation from my JCI friend Katarina Zenina. She asked if I would be interested in joining their chapter training weekend. Since I had never been in Moscow, this was the excuse I was looking for!

Award ceremony

What I thought would be training and some social happing soon turned into a galla dinner and local award ceremony. I was really happy to watch Katarina become a senator, and to witness the presidential chain be placed on the shoulders of my new friend Elena Beskinskaya, LOM President 2007.

Receiving the JCI Capital Training of the Year award on behalf of Rune Møller-Hansen Kiilstofte prooved memorable and a great surprise to me. 

Trainings

The training weekend was a great success allowing local trainers proove their worth with their own trainings. Great learning experiences to all participants and trainers alike!

Interest in international training worked as an incentive to use English. Evaluations and discussions prooved a perfect challenge to increase the skills – training and language skilles alike! Evaluating trainings in a language I did not understand was fun too!

I had the interesting challenge to conduct my trainings with simultan translator. It prooved real hard to control the group discussions, and I felt lost more than once. This was a great learning experience for me. I can improve content, flow and group dynamics.

The teambuilding Sunday morning went much better. My confidence was regained.

Hospitality

JCI people are known for their hospitality. Moscow was no exception – it was exceptional! No effort was saved to make me feel at home.

As any JCI event the official schedule was tight. A Moscow by night sightseeing was included to allow me a quick visit to the Red Square and to see the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

The Red Square had policeofficers working the interal security by checking IDs, and hail potential dangerous elements. Of course – I was taken in, and only after a long negotiation by my local JCI guides was I allowed to move on. Money changed hands, of course. It is always an interesting experience to see how the local law enforcements are enforcing itself upon its inhabitants.

I was amased by the size of Kremlin – and I know I must return to see it from the inside. We went by the “Zero Mile”road marker where I left a coin to make sure I will return to Moscow.

The night was perfectly ended with Russian pancakes and hot chocolate.

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I know one thing for sure! I just love these opportunities to be inspired. This has been a great learning experience for me. Friendship has been established. Future plans made. Goals are set.

What more can you wish for in a weekend?