“You have to be yourself there and children will love you!” Student of Naberezhnye Chelny State Pedagogical University Ramilya Nurtdinova tells about her work at International Children’s Center

Filled with impressions and new knowledge, students from Naberezhnye Chelny
State Pedagogical University returned to Tatarstan from Crimea. One of the
standout participants in this experience was Ramiliya Nurtdinova, who spent a
total of eight sessions at the International Children's Center “Artek”. In her
account, the counselor shared how this unique experience influenced her life and
professional ambitions.
-Ramiliya, what prompted you to go to "Artek" and become a counselor?
How many sessions did you spend at the camp?
-I wanted to go to “Artek” since school, but it was already too late – I was in 11th
grade. After I entered university and they offered us to take counselor training
courses, I immediately agreed and went to work at “Artek” that same summer! To
be honest, I didn't really like it back then, and I even promised myself I would
never go back. But now I realize how wrong I was. I spent a total of 8 sessions at
“Artek"! There were different children, but absolutely each one was gifted with my
love. It was precisely the love for children and working with them that primarily
motivated me to come back here and work as a counselor.
-This isn't your first trip to “Artek”. Are there differences between working
as a counselor then and now?
-Everything is completely different for me. Each camp has its own atmosphere. I
absolutely loved it at the camp “Ozyorny”, which is called the "Warm Home". And
it truly is! There reigns such an incredible atmosphere that every day, no matter
how hard it is, you find joy in everything.
-What emotions did you feel when you found out you would participate in the
celebration of “Artek”'s 100th anniversary?
-I really, really dreamed of getting into this particular session! I had never feltsuch explosive and incredible emotions before. Everything is so solemn, beautiful,
and interesting that you involuntarily start thinking you're a child who has landed
in the fairy tale of “Artek”. I am very happy that during this shift, I was able to
help my camp thanks to my artistic and design abilities. I built the Red Kremlin for
one of the events.
-What were your main responsibilities as a counselor? Was it difficult or, on
the contrary, easy?
-Being a counselor is always hard. It's not the kind of job you just come to and
leave – it flows through your blood, and you live it. There are many
responsibilities, as well as a lot of responsibility; that's what the work of an
educator entails. It's not just about taking children to the right places, but also
uniting them, introducing them to each other properly, creating a real team that
will be like a family! You need to resolve their conflicts, problems, support them,
and simply love them sincerely.
-Which events or activities will you remember most?
-Of course, it's the “Meeting Before Parting”. There is an incredible show first,
and afterwards, one boy from the unit gives roses to all the girls. But the closing
ceremony and the “Threads of Friendship” ceremony also touch the soul deeply –
absolutely everyone cries, ties a thread on another person, and shares warm
words.
-How would you describe the atmosphere at “Artek” during this anniversary
year?
-The atmosphere this year is simply incredible! So many events, gifts, and loads of
everything! We became very close and worked with quality throughout all the
sessions I was here. I will never forget my friends and colleagues, because we gave
each other so many emotions that it's impossible to describe in words.
-What skills or qualities, in your opinion, are necessary for successful work asa counselor?
-Stress tolerance, responsibility, readiness to help even when not asked. Working
as a counselor is very hard work – not everyone can handle such a job. Many
people quit after the very first shift because they can't handle the workload, and it
is very intense.
-How did you interact with the children? Did you have any special methods or
approaches? After all, you had different children in your unit, of different
nationalities...
-Children, actually, are all the same in the sense that they all want the same thing
– understanding, acceptance, and love. I try to give the children as much love as I
can, and in my opinion, that is my main trump card – because I get even more love
back from the children. My colleagues often ask me – how do I manage to make
absolutely every child, not only in my unit but in the whole camp, love me? The
answer is very simple – you just need to be yourself!
-What are your most vivid memories from interacting with the children and
other counselors?
-There are so many impressions because I worked quite a large number of shifts. I
want to say that what I remember most are my last days at “Artek”, when both the
children and the counselors thanked me immensely for my work. In moments like
those, I truly understand that my work is not in vain.
-What does it mean to you to be part of such a significant history as “Artek”?
-Being part of its history is very important to me, because I've dedicated a
significant amount of time in my life to this place. Such a great place will exist for
centuries, and to have any connection to it at all is already incredible. I have many
certificates, diplomas, and letters of appreciation from “Artek”, but the last one
was for an oil painting on a 40x50 cm canvas where I painted myself and
counselor Adelina against the backdrop of Ayu-Dag mountain.
-How has your experience working at “Artek” influenced your worldview andchanged your future life plans?
-I realized that I want to dedicate myself to teaching even more than before.
“Artek” truly nurtured a good educator and person in me. It took me a long time
to realize this, but when I was leaving, my counselor colleagues cried and thanked
me, saying I had been a mentor to them. That's when I truly understood that my
work was not in vain.