Course Report, Oslo Nov. 06
RD: Tommy Pettersen
CO: Ditte Aagaard Norup
CCI: Henrik Thygesen
CII: Peter Bollerup Andersen
On this course held in Oslo, it was Peter Bollerup Andersen’s turn to do his internship supervised by Henrik Thygesen. Peter did a great job by being much disciplined added with a great sense of humour. That, indeed, rubbed off at the new students and old grads as well.
Thursday: 14 new students and about 35 old grads and refreshers were ready and excited in the course room at 9.00. Half of the new students were from Norway, the others from Denmark and a single girl from Sweden. It is funny to observe the new students’ attitude; even though they are looking forward to the course, almost everyone seemed repressed and had sad eyes with lack of self-confidence. As the day went by, the light was switch on in many of the new students’ eyes. That, they think, was amazing on the first day already. A huge smiley face was also pictured on the blackboard too to remind everyone how important it is to smile.
Friday: One decided to leave the course. The rest of them went happily but excited out to take contacts with the old grads Friday afternoon. The new students were surprised by people’s friendly reactions, even though when the old grads were making a disclosure. In the evening, the old grads had a split session, where we were going to discuss issues in a foreign language which was a challenge to everyone.
Saturday: The new students found it fun to correct the old grads in their technique, when we went through the checklist, and they were quite good at pointing at the voluntarily mistakes made by the old grad. As always, Harrison’s workshop was a success both to the new and old students. In the afternoon, the new students found the sport mentality in taking contacts, and everyone had good experiences. The climax of the course was of cause the public speeches. Generally on the course, the new students stood in line to be the first to report including on the box in the middle of Oslo in a sunny weather with lots of curious people, who likes listen to the new students. Saturday evening lots of feelings found expression. You could see the light in everyone’s eyes. I caught myself in smiling lots of time. On the Saturday evening’s split session the old grads rehearsed and performed parts from famous plays and movies. A great experience for the actors and good fun for the audience. In another session, the old grads were going to "picture the reality" through discussion and interruption when telling a story from their heart and keep focusing on the technique, without drawing attention to the interruption, questions etc. That too, was a huge challenge. Both the split session Friday and Saturday evening got positive feedbacks.
Sunday: Every new student had a feeling of happiness and relief. Their eyes were shining, they were filled with self-confidence and they were ready to go home, telling the world they now were recovering stammers. The refreshers and all the old grads did a very good job and remained disciplined. Without them coaching the new students so well, the results for the new students wouldn’t have been that good. Thanks to everyone that make the course such a huge success again.
Kind regards
Ditte Aagaard Norup
Course Organisator