A Turkish Tale: Adventure, Friendship, and Environmental Stewardship

This year, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in an Erasmus project held in Turkey, a country rich in culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes. One of the most memorable parts of the journey was our visit to Cappadocia, a city that feels like it's been plucked from a fairy tale. With its unique rock formations and the famous hot air balloons floating in the sky at sunrise, Cappadocia offered an experience that was nothing short of magical.

Our group woke up early one morning to watch the iconic hot air balloons ascend into the sky. The view was beyond breathtaking—hundreds of colorful balloons rising against the backdrop of Cappadocia's surreal landscape. It was a moment of pure awe, one that I’ll never forget.

The project was not just about sightseeing; it also had an important environmental component. As part of our Erasmus activities, we took time to clean up a nearby lake. Equipped with gloves and bags, we worked together to pick up trash, helping preserve the natural beauty of Turkey. It was a rewarding experience, knowing that we contributed to the environment while bonding with participants from different countries.

Beyond the projects, the trip was filled with fun moments. We shared stories, laughed, and explored the town together, making friendships that transcended borders. Whether it was tasting local Turkish cuisine or even painting school walls, the experience was full of joy and discovery.

Participating in this Erasmus project was not only an opportunity to explore a beautiful part of the world but also to connect with like-minded people from various cultures, all while making a positive impact. Turkey,  will always hold a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to embark on another adventure soon!

My Personal Experience During Volunteering in Turkey

First of all,I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity. It was one of the most memorable trips I've ever had. I had always wanted to explore Turkey because there was something about it that seemed so exciting. The first city we visited was Ankara, and I was stunned by its size.

The first week, we participated in an Erasmus project, which was incredibly interesting. I learned a lot about the importance of volunteering and met many kind, warm people. I mostly spent time with my Lithuanian team, who were super friendly and always by my side, as we were together throughout the entire trip.

After the Erasmus project, we stayed a few more days in Ankara for additional volunteering. We visited a local farm and helped collect tomatoes. Later, we visited Kayseri, which was very different from Ankara. It felt more modern and cozier, and I really liked the vibe.

In Kayseri, we volunteered at a school for children and helped paint the school walls. We also had the opportunity to visit Cappadocia, which had always been one of my dreams.

After Kayseri, we traveled to Istanbul, and it was amazing to finally see a city I had always wanted to visit. I spent the last days there hanging out with my friends, and I felt free and happy. Thank you all for this experience and spending time together. 

Volunteering in Turkey: My Heartfelt Journey in Ankara and Kayseri

I’ve always believed that travel is more than just sightseeing — it’s about connecting with people, giving back, and leaving a positive impact wherever you go. That’s what brought me to Turkey, where I had the chance to volunteer in the Turkey capital Ankara and the more tranquil, beautiful city of Kayseri. What I didn’t expect was how much these experiences would shape me and teach me about kindness, community, and resilience.

Painting School walls in Ankara

One of the first projects I joined was on the walls of a local school in Ankara. Together with local volunteers we transformed grey walls into something vibrant and hopeful. Every brushstroke felt like a conversation with the city, a small way to give life and colour to spaces that people use every day. And in return, I found myself learning about Turkish culture — the patterns, symbols, and stories we painted reflected the heart of the community. It was amazing how something as simple as paint could bring so many smiles.

Gathering Tomatoes for the Needy in Ankara

Ankara is a city surrounded by beautiful landscapes and farming communities. Here, I had the chance to work with local farmers, helping them gather tomatoes that would later be distributed to poor families. I spent my days under the sun, learning about traditional farming methods and the importance of sustainable agriculture in Turkey. It wasn’t easy work, but it felt good to know that what I was doing would help feed families who needed it the most.

Playing with Children

After leaving Ankara, I traveled to Kayseri,one of the most heartwarming parts of my journey was spending time with children at a local boy school. I didn’t speak much Turkish, but it didn’t matter. Laughter is universal, and so are games. We played soccer, drew pictures, and told stories (even if mine were a bit lost in translation). The children’s joy was contagious, and their resilience inspiring. Knowing that my time — even just a few hours — could bring them happiness and confidence was deeply rewarding.

Environmental Cleanup

Kayseri’s natural beauty is breathtaking — but, like many places, it’s threatened by litter. I joined a group of local volunteers in gathering trash from parks and natural areas. As we worked, locals passing by would often stop to thank us or even join in. It reminded me that small actions can inspire bigger change. By the end of the day, we could see the tangible difference we made, and it felt empowering to contribute to preserving such a beautiful place.

A Journey of Connection

Volunteering in Turkey wasn’t just about helping others; it was about building connections — with the people I met, the communities I worked in, and the land itself. Whether I was painting a wall, playing with children, gathering crops, or picking up trash, I realized that every small act of kindness has the power to make the world a little better. And I left Turkey with a heart full of gratitude and countless memories I’ll carry with me forever.

If you’re thinking of volunteering abroad, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s not just about what you give; it’s about what you gain in return — friendships, perspective, and the knowledge that you’ve left a piece of yourself in a place that now feels like home.

My Volunteering Journey: The Second Month in Turkey

I can't believe time has flown by so fast. Two months passed like just a few weeks. But what is more surprising is how this relatively short time has changed me and my way of thinking about life. I feel like a better version of myself now. 

The second month was even more amazing than the first. The month was very busy and full of travel. It was not easy, but in the end I managed to balance work and fun. Now, looking at the photos taken in February, I have a strange feeling. It is hard to believe that in one month I changed and saw different climates, terrains and even very different people.

February started with a trip to Hatay. The stunning views of Hatay made the long bus journey a little more pleasant. The days were fabulously sunny, we lived by the sea and I could see the sea from my house. Some of us decided to take a dip in the sea late in the evening. I didn't swim in the sea, I watched and enjoyed the loud laughter and happy emotions. As for volunteering in Hatay, the work was not easy, we had to grab the bad mandarins from the ground and prune the trees. It may not sound so difficult to you now, but in the mornings the trees were wet and it was cold, and by the middle of the day the weather warmed up and it became even more difficult. But the wonderful company and new acquaintances kept the fatigue at bay or the negative thoughts at bay. Evenings were spent getting to know the other volunteers and playing a variety of games. On the last day, we stayed up late talking about the different cultures, food and dances of our countries, and we danced, played and laughed out loud together.

Immediately after our trip to Hatay we travelled to Istanbul. The journey was not the best. Do not think that I was disappointed with Istanbul. It really didn't. Istanbul is a beautiful city, but we were all tired and there were disagreements among the volunteers, so we didn't get to see and visit much. But don't be discouraged, we survived the disagreements and now we are one big family. Nevertheless, we did a lot of boat trips, we managed to visit one church and we had Turkish food.Back in Ankara, we soon got the chance to visit another town, Ilgaz, and try downhill skating. The views were heart-rending from the first minutes of arriving in the village, but the skating itself didn't capture my heart so quickly. It was very difficult, I never thought that sliding down the mountain could be so challenging. On the first day we learnt the basics, listened to the rules and slowly tried to skate. It was not easy, I wanted to finish the training as soon as possible and go to rest, but on the second day things changed a lot. We started skating from a small rise and learned to make turns and suddenly I fell in love with skating. I hope to be able to do it again one day. 

After Istanbul, we stopped travelling for a while and continued volunteering in Ankara. We visited the Keçiören youth space. The youth worker showed us the sound of the beautiful traditional Turkish instrument 'Baglama' and one girl charmed us with her singing and a very beautiful Turkish song.  

We also celebrated Valentine's Day in Ankara. I was not alone on Valentine's Day. I believe happiness likes silence, so I will not go on about that. But I can say that I think I have not only found myself here, but I have also found a wonderful person with whom I am enjoying my time, laughing and crying together. 

Our IYACA team also visited the university. We introduced ourselves and our experience of volunteering in Turkey. It was a bit embarrassing to speak in front of an audience, but we did amazing and had a great time. I got compliments on how much I have improved my English and how well I spoke. I was extremely happy to hear that. 

I got the opportunity to edit a video for the first time. I never thought editing could be so difficult. It took a long time to edit a good video. Valeria, a member of my group, helped me and explained what I needed to improve and what I was doing well. I think I will be able to use my new knowledge and skills in filming and editing in the near future. 

I can't forget to mention our speaking club. Each time I got to know each person who came I got to know them better and the activities and games got better. I am proud of the improvements people have made in such a short time. Together we learnt, played, laughed and talked about our emotions. AND WHAT COULD BE BETTER.  We visited the Mamak Youth Centre and played with the children. It was a wonderful feeling and even more wonderful to see the children's smiles and hear their laughter. I was proud to have had the opportunity to get to know such lovely and intelligent children. They surprised me in a good way. It's nice to hear that they feel the same and want to spend time with us again and again. 

Cappadocia will always be in my heart, just like Izmir. Not everyone is lucky enough to see such a sight, but we saw endless balloons. The image is etched in my heart. I felt like I was not in another city or country, but on another planet. It is difficult to describe this feeling in words, but I can try and say it was çok güzel. 

On our return to Ankara we visited the aquarium. I felt like a little girl seeing something special for the first time. It is a perfect feeling, it is always good to go back and feel like a little child again. Just when I thought the trip was over. We planned another trip to Bursa. It so happened that we only went as girls. The trip was so amazing. I saw the sea again, we went to the chocolate museum, visited another mosque and the Bursa historical tree. The tree was spectacular. And what was most amazing. We unexpectedly took part in a matchmaking ceremony. It was a very beautiful and sensitive moment. 

So the second month of volunteering was full of different emotions, experiences, new lessons and knowledge. It is sad to think that this is the end of my volunteering and I will have to say goodbye to my new friends who have been with me for the whole two months, experiencing the same emotions, laughing together, having some bad moments. I hope one day I will have the opportunity to travel and visit each of their countries and visit each of my new friends. I always knew that volunteering was a great thing, but I would never have thought that it was SO AWESOME. This is the best thing that has happened to me.

A Ukranian from Lithuania: The Second and Last Month in Türkiye

 

Hello again! This is my second and last blog-post during this term, which I want to dedicate to the topic of Volunteering itself. I want to share the reflections and findings regarding that, which we were able to formulate during those two months of our experience so far. There are only 5 more days left before we depart. And you can feel that kind of atmosphere when everyone has a bit of mixed moods about saying goodbyes so soon and leaving the new discovered comfort zone, and glad at the same time for everything we got through.
Before accepting this challenging offer to go to the program abroad to be called an international ESC volunteer I knew no one, just as the majority of us. But what happened is that we created a real family. 

Group of people from completely different countries gathered for something special. From accommodation and food share to deep soul connections and common sense of humor. Two birthdays during this time. Staying overnight at somebody’s place. Traveling around the country and exploring together. Crying and laughing. Getting those unique dead jokes to be understood only between us. Creative marvelous projects with the help of collective mind, hand by hand. The way we all somehow complete each other… this is a true friendship with all its aspects. We are definitely gonna keep in contact after. “From ‘me’ to ‘we’ with Erasmus”.

Our caring boss and mentors are also to be mentioned. There are lots of things to miss…

Except for people, our chance to be here allowed me to perceive the concept of Solidarity. Now I can sincerely confess that I feel changes, particularly, there is a tangible difference. My mindset has expanded and I became even more conscious than ever before. Continuous learning activates, and your mind constantly searches for some solutions and gets ideas. Non-formal education performs its primary aim.

Volunteering turns out to be not about help only. This is a style of life. New philosophy and driving force. This is something that opens your heart… When you are making boxes in the circle of your friends and putting some foods and goods there to be supplied to families with the children who have oncology, you realize you are here for something important. In this life. This fulfills it with a higher meaning. When you give motivational speeches at the university for students who are wondering about your path and seeking some inspiration and piece of advice. Or when you just play with kids to entertain them and boost their development in intellectual games. When you prepare Speaking clubs to help people to improve their language skills and overcome fear. When you hold these precious Cultural Evenings to spread the knowledge about your countries among other foreigners in front of you, and catch that thought your presentation and its way builds the whole world, causing mindset shifts and upgrades.

Your personality transforms. You are never the same anymore you were before volunteering.

Whether you want them or not, changes come. For that reason whatever you want to get better - communicational, organizational, practical, leadership skills, adaptability and internationalization - exchange youth projects are here for that purpose. So many surprises, so many new people are yet to come to your life. Just let it happen. Apply and go.

As I mentioned in the beginning, I knew no one. It was like a step into the darkness of a cave. But some time later I already stepped inside the real caves in Cappadocia, and all expectations were met.

In addition at last, I want to advise a couple of places to visit from my own recent experience – one spot in Ankara and one city in Türkiye.

The first is the Presidential Library. It’s really grand and special. I’ve never visited anything like this before. Moreover, it is located in a very interesting area of Ankara with modern high-rise buildings in creative designs, in particular, there is a mosque nearby.

Access to the library is free, at the entrance security control will only check your passport. Going there initially I hoped to walk around for a little time and just take pictures. But seeing the place in person, I literally couldn’t get enough of it and cut admiration of the aesthetics of everything. Architecture, interior... ranging from a huge globe in the main hall and these countless vintage bookshelves on every floor, when you look up and feel an inexhaustible source of information... to paintings, stairs, elevators, up to the books I randomly selected with pictures of my beloved Istanbul. It really took my heart, and in total, I spent about three hours there. I even caught a dip in the atmosphere of kinda "Harry Potter".

So if you are impressed, take your time to visit. I recommend to go there on a sunny day at sunset, so you will see the library in the golden rays of the sun and you will be able to observe its set (the library also has numerous terraces with views to all sides), and illumination when it gets dark around and the evening lights come on.

The second is the city of Trabzon. Straight away I let you know that it’s really far, 12 hours by bus one way. I went there to meet my Erasmus friend. And never regretted. The city is located on the coastline of Black Sea, there are lots of palms and cedars. Nature there is completely different, and it’s gorgeous. We were going to places in the mountains (so high that there was snow even), riding by car on the roads literally betweens the cliffs with the numerous small rivers and waterfalls on our way, and spring flowers. Fog, rains, sun. Karadeniz region traditional head accessories with pendants. So, if you want to explore another part of Türkiye, you can go there. Absolutely lovely.

All the best!

For any questions and suggestions, you can reach me by @valeria_kushnirova in Insta. 

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!

A Ukrainian From Lithuania

 

…just imagine, your friend suddenly sends you the description of some project in Türkiye (the country, which you have liked for a long time already) with an open call for participation. You, in turn, decide to give it a try, still between the exams in your university. You fill in the application form at night and in the very morning of the same day you receive the messages from your future boss & tutor & role model & friend at one face. Interview is completed, and a few days later, right on Christmas Day, like a present under the tree, you got accepted. Now you are a volunteer. And perfectly before New Year celebrations, you have to buy your tickets to so much desired destination after almost 3 years since the last time in Anatolia, and you do that, and you spend all your next days knowing that the coming year is about to start with an adventure and a totally new page in your life.

You pass your last exams, finish local duties in your city, spend last moments with your family and friends before the departure for two months to another land far away from home (it was about to be the longest separation ever). And Day X comes. Night again. You’re at the bus stop waiting for the first transport connection to start the long way (not only in terms of distance). You give hugs and say temporary byes to dear ones you leave here, and say hello to people you see for the first time in a life, who lately will become your new friends, “dream team”, and even family in this project.

Next morning, altogether you take the direct flight from the capital of a nearby country (reached from another capital) to the capital of Turkey, and you land in Ankara, and meet way more people from different countries entering your life to build a special story together.

Introductory days, acquaintances with the crew, excursions around the city, visiting main sightseeing spots, first evening in the office where we’re gonna to spend a lot of time after…

Old town, Ankara Castle, my first mosque, fortunate going up the minaret of the biggest mosque in Ankara with the panoramic view to the whole night city. Life in a special dormitory, adaptation, sharing duties, integration to the local Turkish community. Charming Turkish lessons to acquire a new language. Team-building meetings in the office, evaluations, sharing our thoughts and impressions. Learning responsibility, the sense of team spirit and mutual support. First common brainstorm ideas and released projects. First challenges and conflicts. First emotional shakes.

Visiting numerous Youth Centers and meeting with their heads, giving me inspiration regarding entrepreneurship skills and the direction where to strive for the future. Boosting personal leadership.

Trying the national cuisine, reaching gastronomical heaven. Celebration of the first Birthday of one of the members in our group, my roommate. Meeting our colleagues, Turkish volunteers, on the same evening.

First Cultural Evening about Lithuania with my team.

 Opportunity to visit another corner of Türkiye on the south by the Syrian border, changing own plans and accepting the offer to go there. Volunteering at the farm in Hatay, helping to collect the mandarins growing on infinite fields of the trees. It was exactly 1 year after the earthquakes in that zone.

Crazy swimming in the beloved Mediterranean Sea in Arsuz shore in the evening, catching the waves. Night volleyball. My personal departure the very next morning. One bus, second bus... Sitting at the random cafe of Adana, trying its kebab. Taxi, airport. And here is the ticket.. I’ve been dreaming about for years. It was the ticket to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines… and my flight, and those long-awaited sweet words: “Welcome to Istanbul – the meeting point of the world!” Meeting with my strongly loved people there and so much needed hugs. Next 4 days in the city of my biggest aşk, daily tears from happiness, blessing, delightment, continuous exploration and admiration.

 Way back to home in Ankara, more work, first Speaking clubs and new Cultural Evenings (Georgia, Egypt and Azerbaijan so far). Helping in Lösev (hospital complex for the children with oncology) with humanitarian aid packages.

Playing table tennis, chess, cards, musical instruments in studios and workplace (since we have a guitar right in our office, which allows me to practice whenever I want) and singing, painting each other in the art studio, board- and ice skating.

 

Opportunity to go norther, to Ilgaz, to ski in the mountains. Collecting new experiences in our real snowy fairytale after the summertime in winter just two weeks ago. Feeling the non-linearity of the timeline, when two days feel like the whole month.

More fun and parties. Less sleep. Spontaneous and risky decision to visit Cappadocia at the weekends just in a few days before the expected ride. Planning our group trip only 12 hours before the departure. Another evening of tickets purchasing. And here we go, two days in Göreme, living in caves, walking without any routes in the middle of nowhere, multiplying our collective excitement from every single landscape. Witnessing flying hot air balloons at the sunrise of the next day, and understanding that my another cherished dream just came true, way more better than I could ever draw in my mind.

And now we are at the office. Tomorrow is the Cultural Evening dedicated to my homeland, Ukraine. In a couple of days I already have the trip to another corner of Turkey more than 700 km away. And less than two weeks to stay here left…

to be continued...

                       

My First Month in Ankara, Turkey

 

 

Hello, my name is Airida. I am 21 years old. I come from a very small, but very dear to me, Lithuanian city called Širvintos. This is where my heart feels at home, and every corner of it has a special place for my soul. When I get to big cities, I get tired quickly, so Ankara became quite a challenge for me.I never planned to volunteer abroad. For as long as I can remember, I have always been a modest, shy girl who never leaves her comfort zone. But one day, when I left university, my life turned upside down. The decision to leave studies seemed to open the door to new opportunities. I chose the path of volunteering. It was very scary to step out of my comfort zone and go live in another country, knowing that I would be far from home, with a different culture and language. But now I can say with a calm heart that it was the best decision of my life.Volunteering became a unique opportunity to get to know the local community, share my skills, contribute to social work, try myself in various areas, and rediscover myself.

 

The first month in Ankara was full of challenges, but in the end it helped me experience and learn a lot of new things. First of all, I was afraid of the English language. My English skills weren't the strongest, so understanding the other person wasn't always easy.But now I can confidently say that I feel much stronger, and I can communicate with people in English more freely, which is a significant achievement for me. I am glad that I have the opportunity to learn Turkish as well, it is a very beautiful language. However, it is not easy for me to learn it.

It's hard to believe but in the first month in Ankara I found myself. I discovered something that calms me and allows me to take a break from the rushing world - ice skating. We had the opportunity to visit a youth center and try ice skating. At first, it was intimidating. I clung to the walls, but eventually, the fear faded, and I started gliding on the ice. I cannot describe the feeling that overwhelmed me then, it allowed me to escape briefly and be with myself,calm down.

It is not my first time in Turkey, but this volunteering experience inspired me to rediscover this country. I am happy to be part of the LÖSEV team and help children with cancer. It's special. In Ankara, I tried many traditional Turkish dishes that I had never tasted before. I like Turkish coffee and tea. And after drinking Ayran, food is much tastier. And now just thinking about börek, sütlaç, katmer makes me salivate. During my volunteering, I met many different people with different lifestyles, languages, religions and cultures. It makes this new phase of life even more exciting. Every Saturday we organize cultural evenings from different countries, we learn more about each other. In the first month, we introduced Lithuania. We demonstrated our culture, played "KAHOOT", tasted traditional Lithuanian dishes, danced traditional dances. We had a great time. I was melting with happiness to hear how many other volunteers learned from our cultural evening.

I also celebrated my 21st birthday in Ankara. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience. The day started off great. My roommate made me breakfast and then we met up with the other volunteers. I did not understand anything. All this time, I thought we had gathered to get to know each other and discuss common volunteering goals. We all sat down, introduced ourselves and suddenly everyone started clapping. Of course, thinking that there was an exciting activity ahead, I started to clap, but suddenly everyone started singing and saying happy birthday. IT WAS UNREAL. Speaking of unreal, we got a chance to see the entire city from the minaret of Ankara's largest mosque, surrounded by night lights.

So, volunteering is a great opportunity to grow as a person, discover yourself and have a wonderful time.

My First Month in Turkey

Hi everyone! My name is Arnas. I am from a small town called Širvintos, Lithuania. I'm volunteering in Ankara, Turkey for two months.

So far, my experience in Turkey has been amazing. This is my second time visiting another country, and I find it mind-blowing because of the stunning views in Ankara. When we were landing in Turkey, I saw mountains and fields from the plane window. It was so exciting—I wish you could have felt what I did! I’ve seen some mosques, and experiencing the new culture and religion here has been very interesting.

When I arrived in Ankara, I thought it would be easy to adapt to the culture and religion, but I was wrong. There have been some challenges, but I can say that from those difficulties, some wonderful experiences have emerged. For example, visiting Lösev and learning about how they help children with cancer was truly inspiring. 

It was emotional to see how they provide opportunities for cancer patients and their families to travel and experience new things in life. So, from the tough moments have come good things—like a flower just starting to bloom. I know there are more experiences ahead for me in Turkey.

We also visited Hatay, which was affected by an earthquake last year. We went there to help collect mandarins for people in need after the disaster. That experience was fantastic; I felt fulfilled knowing that I helped someone without expecting anything in return. I believe that someday, someone will help me too. That has been my most memorable experience so far in Turkey.

 

Until next time, 

Arnas

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!

How I caught a cold

 Everyone wants a vacation once in a while.

The image of the big, fluffy white clouds wandering above the blue aqua Mediterranean Sea made me rush into reserving a cheap Airbnb room in Antalya. The saying ‘you get what you pay for’ is true. 44 euro for 4 nights in one of the dream locations that people make plans for sounded tempting. I did not even care I would live with another 5 girls in the same room, nor did I care about the common toilets, which to my disappointment, looked nothing like the clean toilets I saw in pictures. But Antalya mattered to me, you know.

Now, not to sound like a crybaby, I loved the fact that the Airbnb was only a stone’s throw from the beach. I absorbed the jaw-dropping scenery every single morning: the mountains were lined up to the right, the crashing sound of the waves against the seashore, the sea breeze rushing through my hair, the heat embracing every single inch of my body.

However, the weather was too hot and humid, and, as every single human being, you need to cool down, be that by drinking too much cold water, a cold beer, or sleeping with the air conditioner open at night. What a liberating feeling it is when one pays only 2 TL for a bottle of cold water. How happy a human being is after a swim in the salty Mediterranean Sea, after drinking cold water and suddenly the body feels like in Heaven. How liberating, how nice to go to sleep after that and enter a cool room. You cannot even think about the consequences of falling asleep under the ‘breeze’ of the well-known, everyone’s summer friend, the air-conditioner. If you also happen to sleep with 5-6 more people in the same room, you will still fall victim to this. They would not care about your needs, so the majority wins.

And here I am now, back to Ankara, carrying a spray and pills with me wherever I go. Here I am, explaining to everyone that I don’t have covid, but only an annoying cold I caught from sleeping with the air-conditioner open at night and savoring the cold beverages on the beach. Why have I spent the last one hour or so writing this? To give you advice: take care of yourself no matter how tempting it is to do everything I have talked about here.

To recap: plan your trip in advance; the pictures on the Airbnb website don’t necessarily show the reality; search for as many accommodation sites as you need and make a wise decision about where you will spend your vacation; if you’re sensitive like me, don’t sleep with the air-conditioner open, don’t drink cold beverages; be careful with your budget (places like Antalya are expensive).

Lockdown

    My impulsive and definitely not completely thought-through decision to come to Ankara for my short-term ESC project might have been one of the best ones ever, and I’m not exaggerating a bit. My initial plan which I made in late February was to arrive in Turkey in March, however, after we talked with IYACA we agreed to start my project in May. I've been impatiently waiting for two months when before few days my long-awaited departure to Ankara I got the news about the upcoming 17 days long nationwide lockdown and I was given the option to postpone my project again, this time for another month, meaning I would start in June. I was done waiting, way too excited about finally coming to Turkey so I took the risk and decided to come directly to the lockdown. Was it difficult? Yes, it was. Was it worth it? Yes, it definitely was. 

     

The first month of my stay in Ankara has been both a challenge and a blessing. I was the only newcomer to the volunteer community in the month of May, which made the conditions of the project a bit extraordinary, but at the same time, I was very lucky about the people I met in Ankara who made this place feel like home. We spent most of the lockdown days inside but also doing the food delivery volunteer work which has been an emotional and truly eye-opening experience for me. After the lockdown ended I wanted to explore a bit of Turkey and what city would be the best to start my travels other than Istanbul. We agreed to meet with my old friend from a youth exchange who gave me a tour of this lovely city (gonna skip the talk about how Istanbul is amazing, because we all know it. It is simply breathtaking and definitely has earned a huge place in my heart.)

I find it a bit difficult to put everything I managed to experience in just a month into words, but in conclusion, I can say that all of the things I've been through here made it an unforgettable learning journey and I seriously can't wait for what's coming next.