Baku 2015 volunteers - helping to make Games happen

/By AzerNews/

By Laman Sadigova

When I decided to interview students from the Azerbaijani University of Architecture and Construction, who are involved in the preparations of the European Games in Baku as volunteers, I did not expect to see so much fervor and active concern!

Azerbaijan's youth is actively participating in the preparations for the Baku 2015 Games. They also have kindly and generously talked about their work how they look forward to the Games - to open in Baku on June 12.

During their meeting with AzerNews, students gladly shared their experience.

Urfan Efendiyev and Medina Allahverdiyeva, second-year students, told AzerNews that their participation in the European Games' preparations has had a very important impact on their personality and how they now envision their future. However both look at their respective experience slightly differently.

Urfan stressed that he improved his English language skills during his volunteer work. There are a lot of foreigners coming to Baku which meant that volunteers had to improve on their linguistic skills.

Also, he noted that he gained a lot of new friends during his volunteer work. Urfan stressed that he felt very appreciative and grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in the preparations of the Games as he gained a great deal of hands-on experience.

He says the European Games gave him and his fellow students a great sense of purpose.

Urfan participates in the preparations of the Games as a dancer; he and his dancing team will take part in the opening ceremony of the Baku 2015.

Medina, in her turn, is a sprinter and her team has been trained by instructors. She highlighted her trainers' professionalism and how they took great care in working with the volunteers.

“The instructors are very patient; they treated both our successes and failures with great understanding.”

“I am very glad to have taken part in this event as it is very interesting and exciting. I love being part of something big. One of the advantages for me was to learn how to work in a team; I think that it is very important for my future career.”

All volunteers stressed on the important and significant role Baku 2015 will have on the whole country.

“I think that Azerbaijan will win a lot of advantages from the European Games. The whole world will hear about our country, about our traditions, culture and beauty. Despite the fact that Europe has close relations with Azerbaijan, Europeans lack enough information about our country.

Such a large-scale event can break many stereotypes and will allow many to look at the country with wide opened eyes.”

Urfan said that one of the big advantages for the country will be a boost to the tourism sector.

“Our country is a perfect place for tourism; we have all the conditions for its improvement. However, I believe that after the European Games, when lots of tourists visit Azerbaijan, our country will become one of the centers of tourism in the shortest time.”

Medina also stressed on the tourism point, adding that Baku will also see a lot of changes as the city is preparing for the Games. “Azerbaijan’s culture is famous for the hospitality of our people. The city did its best to host all guests on the highest level. I am very proud when foreign instructors I work with tell me that Baku is one of the most beautiful and kind cities they have ever seen. ”

All students made clear they believe the European Games will be held at a high-level and will successfully launch the beginning of this event for further celebrations.