Experience in Ankara

Time passes so quickly, I am so surprised that almost two months have already passed since I am in Ankara, the place that became my second home.I started the month of February with a trip at Anıtkabir , also known as Ataturk's Mausoleum which is a remarkable monument dedicated to the memory of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey. This ico nic structure stands proudly in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, capturing the essence of Turkey's rich cultural heritage. I was impressed by the objects that were part of Kemal Ataturk's collection, the collection of swords, lighters and pens were just some of the objects that impressed me. The most impressive were the life-size wax statue of Ataturk and the paintings with him.

  

The next day I went to the National Library ,Milli Kütüpane which has one of the richest collections in Turkey, I was impressed how spacious, rich and clean it is. Another visit was to Göksu Park which is one of the largest parks in Ankara, it has a picnic area, walking paths, lakes activities, cafeterias, restaurants and the most beautiful has ducks, swans which you can feed. I felt like a child again there, I drove the electric cars, I went on the little roller coaster, I enjoyed a salep and the dinner in the cafe shop by the lake.

In paralel with visiting we did amazing activities as volunters, at Keçioren Youth Center we did wood fire sculpture , bag paintings and charms. The results were amazing, we enjoyed so much that we didn’t want to take a break.

Last week was very busy for me especially because it was the Cultural Romanian Night, I cooked at Mamak Youth Center Romanian food , frigarui and tocinei. Frigarui is a traditional Romanian dish with chicken, zucchini, onions, mushrooms, pepper ,all strung on wooden sticks and then baked. The dessert called tocini is kind of pancakes but with grated potato and sour cream, the volunteers loved the food. After they ate I prepared a presentation, a quiz about Romania, then a word twister with three levels, we dances two tradicional dances called Brasoveanca and Hora. The voluneers were very happy about the cultural night and enjoyed a lot. The following days we had Turkish lesson with our amazing teacher Leyla, knitting scarfs for children in need and radio podcasts. I can say that I am very proud of my progress here, now I can order by myself a restaurant in Turkish and have a basic conversation. I am very excited to continue discovering more about Turkish culture. The aventure continues…

On growing and learning

Two months is such a short time, one might think. One month flies by, so does the second one, and then you find yourself in late February, with cold that only in Ankara you’ve experienced, so different from the mild winters of your home in Italy. One month is also enough for everything to happen, so much that it feels like a rollercoaster that you’re not really sure when it began.

In Ankara, during this project, I’ve met so many people, each one with their own unique perspective and personality, and although my best friends in Italy have never been so far away for so long, the love and the power of emotional connections has not lacked at all. My birthday was in mid-February – for the past three years, I’ve had it while being in a different country and this is enough of a celebration to be, every year in a new place, with new amazing people. What I didn’t plan, was the kindness and warmth I felt when, this year, my friends surprised me with a cake and an unexpected surprise birthday party. 

One month is enough to shape you, define you – it’s incredible how much you grow and you only realise while looking back, writing this blog page. One morning, we left for Keçiören Youth Centre, getting lost on the way and finding ourselves almost on the opposite side on the map. Using all of our sense of direction (and with great Google Maps reading skills), we managed to find the place where we would spend of the best days we’ve had so far. Together with Hande Karataş, who works in the Youth Centre, we were gifted a wonderful art workshop. At first, we learned how to do woodblock printing on textiles. Choosing the designs and the colours we most liked, we created our own tote bags that are a unique portrait of who we are. Afterwards, the room was filled with the peculiar smell of forest and trees, as we were taught how to burn wood using a pyrography pen – I enjoyed the carefulness that is needed to draw and write on such a delicate surface, and how this is one of the best souvenirs that I could ever bring back home, with my tulips forever carved into it. What’s amazing is how many talents and new skills we are developing while being here, ones that we would never know about if we didn’t have such opportunities.

It goes without saying that experiencing Türkiye firsthand is unforgettable, as the city of Ankara and the whole country offer impressive sights, experiences and heartfelt connections. In Kırşehir, where I’ve spent a weekend visiting my former professor at the University, I’ve found quiet, incredible hospitality as soon as they found out I was yabancı, and thankfulness for my presence the country. Matter of fact, the thankfulness is all mine, for being here and discovering myself along with such wonderful places and people.

My second month in Ankara

 My second month in Ankara

February flied so fast. During this month we organised intercultural evenings during which we prepared traditional dishes from our countries. We attended Turkish lessons, yoga classes and different activities such as wood carving, block printing and the Turkish art of Ebru painting. We continued our knitting workshop and we recorded new videos and social media content.
During a sunny day off we went on a hiking trip to Lake Eymir to spend some time in nature. I discovered new parts of Ankara like Anıtkabir (the mausoleum of Atatürk), Atakule Tower, Esztergom Castle and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. I had the opportunity to visit the nearby city of Eskişehir with its beautiful old town and also to travel to Cappadocia for one weekend. Göreme was fully covered with snow, so it felt like a winter fairytale.
I’m thankful for my volunteering experience because it allowed me to learn a lot. Now I have a little more than one week before flying back to Italy and I want to enjoy my last days here to the fullest.

 A Journey of Learning and Discovery

Volunteering is not just about giving back but also about learning, discovering, and experiencing new things. As part of my ESC project in Ankara, I have been actively engaged in different activities that have helped me grow, connect with people, and explore new fields of interest.

Learning at Gençlik Radio

Another highlight of my volunteering experience was visiting Gençlik Radio, where I learned how to record a podcast. From understanding the basics of sound editing to speaking with confidence behind the mic, it was a great introduction to the world of radio and digital storytelling. This experience showed me how media can be a powerful tool to share ideas and connect with a wider audience.

Filming at Mamak Youth Center

One of the most exciting experiences in Ankara was visiting Mamak Youth Center, where we worked on a YouTube short movie. Collaborating with other volunteers and young people, we scripted, filmed, and edited content that aimed to share positive messages and highlight youth engagement. It was inspiring to see how creativity and teamwork can bring a project to life.

A Journey to Istanbul

Although my volunteering project is based in Ankara, I had the chance to visit Istanbul, a city full of history and vibrant energy. Walking through the historic streets, admiring the breathtaking views, and sipping the most delicious Turkish coffee near Galata were unforgettable moments. I also took a boat trip along the Bosphorus, where I got to see the city from a different perspective. This short trip reminded me how volunteering opens doors to new adventures and cultural experiences beyond just our daily tasks.

Through these experiences i realized that volunteering is not just about working on a specific task but about growing, learning, and making meaningful connections. Whether it was filming a short movie, recording a podcast, or exploring a new city, each moment added value to my journey and made it even more memorable.

 Lithuanian in Turkey: Is Turkey the best choice in my life?

Hello everyone. My name is Dominykas, I'm from Lithuania and today I will tell you a little bit about my month in Turkey. February was a very different month in my life. I made one of the toughest decisions of my life. My dream was to see the world, but the question was where to start. I got the chance to be volunteer and go to Turkey. So, this is my first month in Turkey. So when I heard that I would go to Turkey, in the beginning, I was thinking, why Turkey, why not France or Italy? But I'm very happy that I went to Turkey; I can say that it was my best choice so far.

Ankara is a city where people drink tea from morning until morning. This was my home for the month. In my eyes, Ankara was a party zone, with hundreds of restaurants, shops, and cafes. But in this blog, I will speak more about a city I  wanted to visit so much. I think in this world we have only two types of people: those who have been to Istanbul and those who have never been there. Istanbul is a very historical city. My hotel was in the old town, so around me were the most popular sites like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and much more. My journey started from the Galata Tower. It's one of the oldest towers in the world. From the Galata Tower, you can see how magical Istanbul is; you can see that each part of the city is different. Of course, it was cold, but the view was amazing. After the Galata Tower, I went to Hagia Sophia, one of the most gorgeous mosques in Turkey. The first floor is only for locals who go to pray, and the second floor is for tourists. Hagia Sophia was initially a church during the Roman Empire, but later it became a mosque.

The architecture was amazing. After that, I went to what I really wanted to visit: the Blue Mosque. I even spent the whole day there. I met some volunteers, and I asked them many questions. In the evening, the imam saw that I had spent the whole day there. Even i got a Koran and more books about religion. He came to me and asked if I wanted to go with him to the balcony at prayer time. He said if I wanted, I could pray with them or just stand and watch. So I chose to become a Muslim for about 10 minutes. At first, it was strange, but after a few minutes, I felt freedom. After praying, the imam looked at me and smiled. When I asked the volunteers why the Imam smiled at me, they said it was because he thought I might become a Muslim, and then I started to laugh. I can say that Turkish people are so kind and good. I can't say how many times I got free tea, coffee, or even sahlep, which became my favorite drink. About dessert, I will keep quiet; I can't even choose which is my favorite: baklava, kunefe, or burek. The next day, I visited the Basilica Cistern, a magical place. Of course, I visited the Grand Bazaar; in that place, I spent too much money. In the evening, I went to Çamlıca Camii Mosque; the view was gorgeous. Here is a photo

In the end, I took a Bosphorus Strait tour. At night, you can see Istanbul differently. So that's my story from Istanbul. Now let's go back to Ankara.Ankara is the capital of Turkey. In Ankara, I visited Ankara Castle, Anıtkabir, and many parks.

I feel that people in Ankara are different. I found so many friends. I think for me the most beautiful thing in Turkey is the Adhan, when the imam calls people to pray. But what I will miss the most are my friends and other volunteers, with whem I spent so much time. Together we had so much fun, making videos, playing with local childrens.

So this month was for me about growth and connection. New country and new things. I can only promise myself to go forward and listen to my heart. So I'm excited about what will be next.

 

My first month in Ankara

 My name is Stela. It has been exactly 28. days since I landed at Ankara airport and my feet touched Turkish land for the first time in my life, and to be honest dear readers i did not know a lot about Turkey. The journey started anyway, and my role here is to be a volunteer in Ander's organization for two months. 

 See through my eyes, the journey as a volunteer abroad, especially in a country as vibrant and diverse as Turkey, is one of empowerment, learning, and making a difference. A Slovak girl volunteering with Ander not only to bring hope of change and international support but also returns home with a wealth of experiences that will shape my future and inspire others to follow my footsteps.

For these two months, there are four girls who enter in my as destiny most likely our Sueda would say. We share an apartment together, which makes me feel very calm cause they came to pick me up on my first day in the middle of the night at the bus stop, and my plane arrived around two hours just to make you understand. But they have been so warmly welcoming and happy. Since then, i have never found myself in need, or it would be better to say, in lack of support..

Our main activities are social media support to share handcraft and linguistic workshops, but I want to talk about this topic in an upcoming blog.

 In this first month I went to Kapadoccia with a Turkish friend and believe me when I say that I was lucky. Let me explain to you why, here in Turkey, they speak English probably the most in big cities or bigger places, and if you do not want to have your phone in your hand for more that is necessary. It is best to have a Turkish friend by your side. It makes sense to me when you ask people what comes to their mind first when they say turkey probably for the biggest part it would be  their colourful cousine fullfill with different flavores from halva, baklava, burek, gozleme, meze and dolma and lets not forget about their famose keba. Their kindness and hospitality are for me personally take a first place. So far, so good, and just a small remainder If you are planning to come to Turkey around this period do not forget to pack a lot of warm clothes. I can feel in my bones that next month gonna bring me more joyful moments and new warm memories in the company of great young and open-minded people. 🙂

 

VOLUNTEERING IN ANKARA IN JANUARY

Volunteering in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, is very enjoyable, informative and productive. We prepared food packages to be sent to those in need at the LÖSEV hospital here. It was nice to do this 

We have an English speaking club on Saturdays. In this speaking club, we have fun with all our international friends and provide

I recorded a potcast for the first time at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It was an exciting and beautiful experience. We shot videos at the youth center and learned about each other's cultures and perspectives with these videos. 

"What is volunteering for us?"

This month, we focused on this subject.

Volunteering means for me the butterfly effect

We started to knit scarves for disadvantaged children in our volunteer activities. Yes, I am new to knitting. Although it was a little difficult, it was very enjoyable.

 While I was getting to know Ankara, I went to the Ankara Castle and it was very beautiful. It was very nice to watch Ankara at sunset. We also went to museums in Ankara. The arts in the İş Bank museum were very beautiful.

 

    

 

 We visited the CSO (Presidential Symphony Orchestra). There was a small but meaningful exhibition there about recycling.  The recycled clothes, pictures, and bird nests were beautiful. The other place we visited when we went to CSO was an exhibition museum that told about music and orchestra in Turkey from past to present. There were also the first compositions of the İstiklal Anthem and other works.

      

Volunteering here is very productive and beautiful.