My Second and Last Month in Turkey

 As I write this, I'm in my second and final month in Turkey, with just one week left. I can’t help but feel emotional about leaving this beautiful country and the wonderful team I’ve come to consider family. We may bicker like kids at times, but after work, everything is amazing.

Let me share a bit about my daily routine. Sundays and Mondays are my days off, which I spend exploring Ankara with friends and learning new things. On Tuesdays, we have Turkish language lessons and work in the office, brainstorming ideas for videos that we later film for Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Wednesdays are dedicated to visiting a youth center, where we play with children and spend time with my group. If I have some free time, I practice piano or guitar. Thursdays are for finishing up work from Tuesday, and Fridays are my favorite because we assist at the Lösev hospital. Saturdays are spent at the office for a speaking club, where people come to learn English and enjoy each other's company. We also hold cultural evenings where we present our home countries. I represented Lithuania, sharing information about my country and cooking national dishes. We ended the evening with a fun game of Kahoot!

In the evenings, we often go out to restaurants, cafes, or the cinema, chatting about our countries, economies, and cities. Afterward, I return to my dorm, which has a small gym, and spend my time reading, using my computer, or working out. My dorm is located in Balgat, a nice area filled with numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops. One of the best things about Turkey is that it’s more affordable than Lithuania. Clothes and food are cheaper here; for example, you can buy a nice outfit for just 70 euros. Ankara, in particular, is less expensive than Istanbul.

This month, I had the chance to visit several cities. My first stop was Ilgaz, a mountainous area in northern Turkey. It was my first time ice skating, and while I was initially afraid, I discovered that I have a knack for it! I quickly learned how to stop and even felt like a pro by the end of my time there. The food was delicious, and we spent two wonderful days there.

Next, I visited Cappadocia, known for its stunning rock formations and hot air balloon rides. I learned that people used to live in the caves carved into these rocks. I even climbed one of the rocks, which felt surreal. The hot air balloons at dawn were breathtaking—we woke up at 6 a.m. to see them. During my time here, I’ve picked up some Turkish phrases, which helps me order food and ask questions. Learning Turkish is challenging, but I’m committed to it.

Currently, Ramadan is underway, and I’ve observed that locals can only eat between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. each day, which feels quite unusual to me. I’ve also faced some challenges navigating Ankara since my phone broke, making it tough to find my way around this vast city.

One of my favorite dining spots in Turkey is Aspava, where ordering a meal often comes with complimentary food. My friends and I were pleasantly surprised on our first visit!

The highlight of my volunteering experience has been visiting youth centers and helping at the Lösev hospital. We prepare boxes of food for families in need, especially for children battling leukemia. It’s incredibly fulfilling work, and I truly cherish these moments.

I’m so grateful for my time in Turkey; it has changed my life in many ways. I’ve learned so much, and if you ever have the chance to come here, I highly recommend it! I plan to return as a volunteer for ten months next time.

Thank you for reading, and goodbye for now!

Dreams come true! My life in Turkey: The Happiest Thing in My Life 😊

Hello everyone! My name is Dominykas, and I'm 19 years old from Lithuania. I’m currently volunteering in Turkey for two months. My hobbies include music—I enjoy playing the guitar and learning the piano. I also love reading books, and sports are a big part of my life, including going to the gym and horse riding. It’s great to meet you all!

My journey began on January 17th, when I traveled from Vilnius to Warsaw and then from Warsaw to Ankara. I was thrilled to be flying for the first time! As I looked out of the plane, I was amazed by the view of the city.

We arrived in the heart of Ankara, Kızılay, which was bustling with life. It took just 15 minutes by bus from my dorm to Kızılay, and the office where I worked was nearby. On my second day in Turkey, we explored Ankara and visited the castle, which offered a breathtaking view from the top. The people were incredibly friendly.

 

One of the most unforgettable experiences I had this month was visiting a mosque. An imam approached us, and we ended up having a conversation about religion. He kindly offered to give us books as gifts. We then went to the minaret, where we were surprised to find a lift that took us to the top. Initially, we thought we were heading to a library, but when the lift doors opened, we were astonished to find ourselves on the minaret balcony, overlooking the entire city in the evening. It was chilly, but the view was so mesmerizing that we hardly noticed the cold.

As we were leaving, we accidentally broke the lift, which meant we had to walk back down the stairs. Regardless, it was the most incredible moment of the month!

If I had to share the second incredible thing, it would be Hatay city. What makes it so special to me? Hatay boasts stunning mountains and a beautiful sea, and it was my first time swimming in the ocean. You might wonder why I was in Hatay; our team was sent there to collect oranges. Just a year ago, Hatay experienced a devastating earthquake.

For me, the hardest part has been communicating with the locals since not many speak English. However, we have Turkish language lessons once a week, and each day it becomes easier to connect with the people here. While I find Turkish challenging, I believe that anything is possible to learn if you’re determined. I know enough to introduce myself and order coffee at a café.

Turkey has a different religious landscape than Lithuania. While Lithuania is predominantly Christian, Turkey is mostly Muslim. I find it interesting that the mosque calls people to pray five times a day, and you can hear the imam’s call throughout the day. The Turkish people are very religious, and I’ve learned so much from them. Meeting new people from various countries and discovering this wonderful land, its history, and language has been truly enriching.

 This is my life in Turkey now, and I’m really happy to be here. Turkey is such a unique country that everyone should visit. I have to say goodbye for now, as I need to pack for my trip to Istanbul. Bye for now!

 

P.S. I love baklava! Best wishes, Dominykas!