Hi, I am Uliana, a short-term volunteer with the ESC program in Türkiye. I’ve spent the past few weeks living in Ankara, a city that balances tradition and modern life, noise and quiet, mountains and concrete, all at once, and I am excited to share some of my experiences so far. Honestly, it is hard to believe that so much has already happened in just one month.
One of the best parts of this experience are people I’ve met this month. I am grateful to be surrounded by such friendly and caring individuals from various backgrounds. Even with our different cultures and perspectives, it is surprising how quickly we’ve built close connections. It feels like we have been friends for years. From shared meals and late-night conversations to inside jokes and helping each other navigate daily life, these connections became the heart of my time here. My main volunteering took place at two youth centers – Altındağ Gençlik Merkezi and Mamak Gençlik Merkezi. Every day brought something different. Some days I was helping organize games and creative workshops for kids, other times we were cooking meals together or going on little excursions, like our visit to the biosphere museum. The kids’ energy was contagious. Even when we did not fully understand each other’s languages, we always found ways to laugh, to connect, and to learn from one another. Outside of volunteering, I spent a lot of time exploring Ankara. I walked through neighborhoods, visited local bazaars, climbed up to the castle for an incredible sunset view, wandered through Hamamönü’s old streets, explored the amazing Millet Kütüphanesi (Nation’s Library), and had a powerful visit to Anıtkabir. The city’s mix of old and new kept me curious every day. I also discovered my favorite park and library corner – quiet spaces that felt like little escapes. I was lucky enough to take two trips as well. The first was to Amasra, a quiet town on the Black Sea where time seemed to slow down. We watched the sun rise and sun set over the water and explored tiny, cobbled streets by the sea. The second trip was to Antalya, a vibrant Mediterranean city full of life, beaches, music, and warm air. Both places gave me space to breathe, reflect, and recharge. Of course, it wasn’t always easy. There were language barriers, and sometimes cultural differences felt overwhelming. But slowly, through daily conversations, shared tea, kind gestures, and patience, those challenges turned into moments of learning. I now see them as one of the most valuable parts of this journey.
See you later!