My experience of Universiade 2013 XXVII Summer

My experience of Universiade 2013

XXVII Summer Universiade held in Kazan from 6 th to 17 th July in Russia was the unforgettable triumph to our sportsmen: they won 292 medals! 155 of them are golden, 75 – silver and 68 – bronze. 20 thousands volunteers from 38 countries did their best to help in organization of this gorgeous sport event.

15000 of them were from Kazan city, hostess of Student Games 2013.

The team of thousands volunteers started getting recruited in September of 2011. 50 thousands of requests from 40 different countries were submitted to organizing Committee. There were interviews with every applicant and only communicative, stressresistent and foreign language connoisseurs were selected. Luckily, we turned out to be among them. 20 thousands boys and girls started their training in March 2013.

The vast majority of volunteers are active, young and communicative guys, that’s why the Universiade means for them another opportunity of meeting new interesting people, representatives of different cultures and nationalities, practicing foreign languages and, surely, the chance of getting inestimable experience, what is valued the most.

Certainly, being a volunteer isn’t an easy business, it demands not only great energy and enthusiasm and social skills, but also knowledge of foreign languages and other essential habits. This fantastic experience is definitely worth all the difficulties and troubles we had to cope with.

City volunteers must be benevolent and sociable. They represented Kazan and had to make pleasurable and hospitable atmosphere helping guests to find out more about the city. Moreover, they narrated as much as possible to foreigners about the sights of Kazan. Another task for volunteers was to give everyone a hand to get to new sport facilities of Universiade 2013.

• We were given a special uniform with volunteers’ logos - colorful palm. It included trousers, shorts, 2 t-shirts, Polo shirt, shoes, hat, bag and jacket.

• Furthermore, each volunteer was granted by many presents every day during Universiade – sunglasses, watches, badges, flasks for drinking and others. By the end of summer university games we had collected a lot of memorable gifts of this event.

Commencement meeting Stunning night show lulled nobody! We didn’t cease being surprised at the high level of organization and program which was really fascinating and fabulous: flying acrobats, dancers, fountains, fireworks were relevant to affluent history of Russia. Such feelings as pride, delight and happiness overwhelmed each citizen of Russia.

Solemn closing ceremony • Not only was everything spectacular but it was also accompanied with many exciting moments. Some volunteers had a chance to be just on the stage and they were applauded by sportsmen and audience to express their gratitude for their regular help. It was pleasant to realize that you had been a part of this

After the Universiade closed «Thank you, volunteers!» party where Russian pop stars performed and there was a display of enormous firework was organized. Apart from that, creditable minister’s letters were given to each volunteer. Personally for us it has been the experience of a lifetime!

U are the World! Thank you for attention!