Two Months, A Lifetime of Memories

This is my second and final month of volunteering, and I still can’t believe how quickly time has flown by. Looking back, I feel grateful, proud, and deeply happy that I had the chance to be part of this journey. It was not just about discovering new places, but also about discovering myself.

Ankara was the city where everything began for me. A place full of history, culture, and life. I had the chance to visit Anıtkabir, the resting place of Atatürk, and it left me in awe of Turkey’s history. I wandered around Hamamönü, with its old wooden houses, colorful streets, and cozy cafés, where time seemed to slow down. I stood in front of the grand Kocatepe Mosque, one of the largest in the city, admiring its beauty and peaceful atmosphere. And from the top of Atakule Tower, I looked out over Ankara, realizing just how big, vibrant, and full of stories this city really is.

One of the highlights of my time in Ankara was attending Youth Day. It was such an inspiring event, full of energy and hope. We met so many volunteers and young people from different backgrounds. It was a day of learning, exchanging ideas, and sharing joy. Together with my friends, we introduced ANDER, talked about our work, and also listened and learned a lot from others. There was laughter, music, and unforgettable conversations the kind of experience that fills your heart with motivation and positivity.

And then, there was Cappadocia. Simply magical. Waking up before sunrise, standing with my friends, and watching dozens of hot air balloons rise into the sky as the sun painted everything golden  it felt like living inside a dream. We hiked through hidden valleys, explored unique rock formations, and let ourselves be carried away by the charm of this place. Cappadocia is not just a destination, it’s a feeling, and it will forever remain my favorite place in Turkey.

Finally, Istanbul the city of two continents, where history and modern life walk hand in hand. Of course, we didn’t have enough time to see everything, but what we managed to experience was unforgettable. From the lively streets and beautiful mosques to the Bosphorus views, Istanbul was a perfect ending to this journey. Every corner had something unique, and it left me wanting to come back one day.

I’m so thankful to have been part of this experience: discovering the beauty of Turkey, learning new things, and most importantly, creating friendships that will stay with me for a lifetime.

Thank you, Ankara. Thank you, Cappadocia. Thank you, Istanbul. And most of all thank you, ANDER. These two months may be over, but the memories, the lessons, and the people

I met will always stay in my heart.

David's August Blog

 As an international volunteer in Ankara, the month of August flew by faster than I expected. Compared to July, it felt like time passed in the blink of an eye. August was filled with energy, meaningful activities, and countless learning opportunities. My main role continued to be working with children at a youth center, where each day brought something new and exciting.

Throughout the month, we engaged in a variety of activities: teaching English, participating in drama classes, playing mind games, and having fun together. One of the highlights was creating workshops on important topics such as recycling, pollution, and peer pressure: exploring whether it is good or bad and how to cope with it. These workshops helped the children express themselves and learn more about the world around them. We also spent time painting and drawing, expressing ourselves through art by illustrating our families, friends, and things that represent who we are.

Every week, we had Turkish language lessons, and I’m truly grateful for that opportunity. Thanks to these classes, I now feel more connected to the culture and can understand more of the language. August also brought with it a series of cultural days, where we learned about the traditions, food, music, and dances of countries such as Georgia, Azerbaijan, Romania, Spain, Italy, and Ukraine. We played Kahoot games, tasted traditional dishes, and even learned a few traditional dances.

Another significant experience was participating in events for International Youth Day. It was inspiring to meet young people from countries like Mongolia, Nigeria, Kenya, and Venezuela.

They shared insights about youth issues and solutions through their information stands. This event deepened my understanding of youth representation and global cooperation. One memorable day, we went to the fields to harvest tomatoes, which we later donated to people with fewer opportunities. This small act of giving reminded me of the power of community and the importance of solidarity.

Beyond the structured activities, I truly enjoyed my daily life in Ankara. I explored many parts of the city, visiting the Prison Museum, Ankara Castle, Atatürk's Mausoleum, and historical neighborhoods. I even started going regularly to a local sports center with a friend.

These experiences enriched my understanding of the city and made me feel more at home. Now that my two-month journey is coming to an end, I feel a mix of emotions. It’s difficult to say goodbye to the children, my friends, the city, and everything I’ve been a part of. However,

I leave with a heart full of memories, knowledge, and hope for the future. This amazing experience has not only shaped my summer, it has shaped my future. I am deeply grateful for every moment I spent here. I’m leaving a part of myself and my heart here, and carrying with
me a piece of the hearts of those I’ve met.

My First Month of Volunteering in Turkey: Activities, Discoveries and Daily Life

I am living my first month of volunteering in Turkey and every day I realize how much this experience is expanding my horizons. Ankara, with its chaotic rhythm has become the background of the activities I do within the association that hosts me. I work together with volunteers from different countries and with Turkish university students who join our events: a dynamic, stimulating and deeply multicultural environment.

The heart of our work is made of workshops and weekly events. During coordination moments, we analyze the previous week and prepare the post for social media, so we can clearly explain the activities we carried out. During the week, we prepare materials: we create scarves for children using the knitting technique, we prepare ideas and materials for the Speaking Clubs.

A very important role is played by the Speaking Clubs, events where Turkish young people come to practice English. These moments are very enriching: we talk about different topics (culture, travel, social differences, traditions) and we learn from each other. Sometimes one simple question is enough to turn the event into a conversation full of anecdotes, laughter and reflections. Thanks to these meetings, I am getting to know more about the local mindset and the daily life of Turkish students.

Another meaningful activity is the Cultural Days, when we present aspects of our home countries: food, music, curiosities, traditions and idioms. Learning more about cultures different from our own is stimulating and OF COURSE THE TEA IS ALWAYS PRESENT! We never start an activity without a warm cup in our hands, accompanying our conversations and discoveries.

Part of the volunteering experience also includes exploring the local area. During this first month, I visited symbolic places such as the Atatürk Mausoleum, traditional markets and different neighborhoods of the city. Entering mosques, covering my head and walking barefoot on the carpets is an experience that allows me to get closer to a different way of living spirituality. These small gestures, so normal for people who live here, are moments for me to observe and respect a cultural system that is distant from mine but deeply fascinating.

My week also includes Turkish language lessons every Saturday. Even though I am learning only the basics, every small word feels like a success: sometimes just saying “Merhaba” is enough for people to start talking to me in Turkish, and I find myself smiling, nodding and trying to understand as much as I can. It is a constant challenge, but also a daily exercise in adapting.

Alongside official activities, there are many spontaneous experiences: exploring the city, trying local food and taking small trips nearby. During this first month, I also had the chance to discover other parts of Turkey, like Istanbul and Cappadocia, which are giving me an even richer and more varied image of the country.

One activity that I found particularly meaningful was the food packing. LÖSEV, the foundation we visited, supports children with leukemia and other blood diseases by offering medical, educational and material support to their families. When I arrived at the bus stop, that was our meeting point to go together to the activity, I was impressed by the number of young people there: all of them, early on a Saturday morning, ready to give their time for a genuine act of volunteering. Seeing them participate so naturally, without expecting anything in return, was truly moving. It gave me hope and reminded me how much kindness still exists in people.

Looking at everything I am experiencing, I realize that volunteering is not only about organized events and tasks, but also about encounters, stories, challenges, surprises and moments of personal growth. This first month is teaching me about the generosity of people, the importance of adaptation and the value of curiosity.

In the middle of all this, I am also starting to discover new flavors, to get closer to different ways of thinking and to let myself be surprised by a daily life that, day after day, feels more familiar and meaningful.

With one month still ahead of me, I am sure that this experience will continue to surprise me and transform me in ways I cannot imagine yet.

Dominica's First Month

I spent my first month in Ankara as part of my volunteering project with the ANDER organisation, and it was a beautiful mix of meaningful work, cultural discovery, and simple everyday pleasures.

Together with the organisation, we explored some of Ankara's most important places. We visited Anıtkabir (Atatürk's Mausoleum), which was a powerful and emotional experience, as well as the Türkiye İş Bankası Museum, and Ankara Castle, where history and daily life blend naturally.

My work with ANDER was both hands-on and interactive. I helped pack food for LÖSEV, participated in knitting and crocheting workshops. I facilitated teamwork & communication workshops and took part in human rights workshops. One of the highlights was organising cultural days, where volunteers from different countries shared traditions, food, and stories. I also facilitated weekly speaking clubs, creating a space for discussion, language practice, and connection.

During my free time, I slowly fell into the rhythm of the city. I ate a lot of tavuk dürüm, usually paired with cold ayran, which quickly became almost a daily habit. Many afternoons were spent at Uluş Bazaar followed by long evening walks around the Kızılay neighbourhood. I also enjoyed watching volleyball games, playing Yüz Bir with friends, and sharing relaxed Turkish breakfasts with other volunteers one of the best ways to start the day together. On weekends, I had the chance to travel outside Ankara and visit Mardin and Gaziantep, two cities full of history, flavour, and unforgettable atmosphere.

This month in Ankara was not just about volunteering it was about learning, sharing, and growing alongside people from different backgrounds. It's an experience I'll carry with me long after it ends.

Antiga's December Blog

Last month was actually very exploratory and interesting, and this month has been just as exciting. Let’s start from the beginning. First of all, we continued going to school. The children loved us so much and got used to us so quickly that we are honestly still a bit shocked. The love and respect we received from them felt completely differentit was a very unique kind of love language for all three of us.

Our next stop was Tunalı Street. There, we visited Kuğulu Park, Botanical Park, and later Atakule. Inside Atakule, there was a small park and a simulation area. It was a really interesting place—almost everything felt like it was right under our feet.

As we are now approaching the end of our second month, which is also our final month, we decided to create memories at school. Since we had classes, we took photos with each class we taught and turned them into a video—both for them and for us as a keepsake. Our lovely teachers prepared a small surprise for us and made us blow out candles on a cake as if it were our birthday. I would like to thank them once again for everything.

After that, we finally visited Ankara Castle, which we couldn’t go to last time. The view was truly magnificent. Later, I went to eat ramen, a Japanese dish, with our debate group from school. It was really delicious.

Today, we went to the Belpa ice skating center. It was my first time skating, and it was so much fun. I didn’t expect to learn it so easily, but despite that, I fell down twice in a very funny way. Anyway, every story has a happy ending—and mine ends here. One day, I hope your path crosses places like these too, and you get to do everything you wish for.

Until the next journey—see you, bye 

Antiga's November Blog

It’s my first blog post. Actually I’m so stressed and a little bit excited . Firstly I started why I came here. Essentially I didn’t want to came here because of my parents didn’t want. but every girls have some special dream about  let them go somewhere with their friends. And I catch the chance which is came to here with my university classmates. And then I realizing I went somewhere with my by self. okay you might recognize me like this way. OKAYY I STARTED WRITING THIS STORY. It’s my first country and we started to Kizilay. Kizilay it’s our first place and Center of Ankara. And I met some new people and new friends which friends they came to here from other country. My roommate is from Tunis. The girls name is Amal. Literally she’s so cute and soooo lovely person. And then I met other girls. We lived 6 girls together and this’s so surprising because they were different countries and different cultures. But we got along really well. Our second destination is Ulus from Ankara. Ulus is so old city. There have a lot of great places for explains: A statue of Atatürk, Ankara Castle, Is banks, old National Assembly building and Ankara Palas . There so good. And i had so good chance it was Ataturk’ s death day. it was 10 November. And I went to Anitkabir which is Ataturk grave there. That’s so good impressive. I saw with my own eyes how much they loved him. Another day we went to Lösev . Lösev means hospital for children with Leukemia. It was incredibly unbelievable because we were doing something for them and their families, and that feeling made you feel really good .  Another day we went to another place called ANDA. But this was completely different . The main area here was located in Hamamonu. Hamamonu is a very beautiful settlement where many old buildings are clustered. Later, we went to Altindag Imam Hatip School. It was the first time we were real teachers to children. Because we ourselves were still students, it was very difficult for me, but actually we got used to it and we loved the children very much. We went to Istanbul, but it was around my birthday and it was wonderful. We went to many great places, including Hagia Sophia and the Sultan Ahmet Mosque. After that, we took a Bosphorus tour and saw both bridges. We also saw the Maiden's Tower and the Galata Tower. This was just my one-month stay. Istanbul and Ankara left me with a very beautiful experience in just one month.  I am very happy right now and I am eagerly awaiting my second month. I send my best wishes for an even better month.

Second Month Nino

 When I was coming in Turkey, what I knew for sure was that I would see Istanbul. This month I had days off from the activities, so I used this opportunity and booked the tickets to Istanbul. I liked the city very much. The best place I visited was Topkapi Palace, which left me in awe with its beauty. It really threw me in 15 th century. The Bosporus view from the palace was so impressive.

Another place I visited this month is Cappadocia. I had not seen anything similar like that before. Landscape there is so unique and hotels in caves are so cool. I loved it, even though it was cold and there was not season for hot air balloons. I took a lot of beautiful pictures in Cappadocia.

We kept going to schools this month as well. It’s fun to come up with new games and language activities for kids at school. Most of students seem to be very excited with all of this and are engaged during the process. Since this is the last week of our Turkish Experience, we had to say goodbye to them last week, which was very sad. Children wanted us to stay forever . Teachers at the school surprised us with a farewell party, which was very nice and heartwarming of them.

Last week we were in Losev. This is the Foundation for Children with Leukemia, which is providing support for children affected by leukemia together with their families. We helped them with packing food for these children’s families. I am so happy to do valuable job like this. One more highlight of the month - I tried another Turkish dish “Iskander”, which I liked a lot.

Unfortunately, our journey in Turkey is coming to an end. This was an unforgettable experience full of amazing people, great memories, and new lessons. I enjoyed every moment, learned so much, and will definitely miss this place. I’m leaving with full hearts
and lots of stories to tell.