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.

First Month Nino

When I first decided to volunteer in Turkey my motivation was to get to know Turkish culture better, discover new places, learn about traditions, religion.

My adventure started in November, when I arrived in Ankara. I am in a team with other volunteers (the girls, also, I share an apartment with) and we participate in lots of activities:

We go to schools and teach english, we help packing food for people in need, we attend meetings to promote Erasmus Solidarity Corps projects ect.

Children at school are adorable. They are nice and lovely and give us so much love from the first time we met. You can always feel it despite of language barriers. I always ask them if they know something about my country (usually all they know is that Turkey beat Georgia in football.

My November Blog

 Hey! My name is Gülsüm!

This is my November blog.

Currently, I am continuing my volunteering journey in Ankara, Türkiye. Yes, finally, I am an ANDER volunteer! I am extremely happy that I was accepted by the ANDER organization and that I completed such an amazing month here.

It has been a month full of unforgettable and beautiful memories, new friends, new places, cities, and valuable experiences. My project period will end on December 30, and I will return to my home country, Azerbaijan. To be honest, saying “I don’t want to go back” would be more accurate. Saying goodbye to Ankara, its people, its air, the delicious and unique food I enjoyed so much, and most importantly to ANDER and its wonderful family will be very difficult for me.

ANDER, you are simply perfect!!

Let’s take a look together at how my November experience went 

During the first week, we had our wonderful orientation sessions. I would like to sincerely thank the ANDER family for being so thoughtful and supportive during our first days and for always being by our side. Thanks to the orientation, my fellow volunteers and I had the chance to get to know each other better, improve our communication, work together, and exchange ideas. As a result, we became much closer 

Every week, we had a “Discover Ankara” day. My fellow volunteers and I truly valued these moments and enjoyed visiting the must-see places of Ankara. One of the first places I visited was Hacı Bayram-ı Veli Mosque. It was impossible not to admire this mosque. It was so beautiful and historical that I enjoyed every moment of looking at it. There were many people there, some praying and others visiting—just like me. Every stone and every fine detail seemed to whisper, “I am history. Look at me. I still have many hidden stories for you to discover.” 

I completely fell in love with the atmosphere of the mosque and its surroundings. It was such a meaningful and peaceful place, where even with many people around, the silence during prayers brought a deep sense of calm and serenity.

One of our most unforgettable memories was the time we spent at LÖSEV. For me, LÖSEV was a place where I felt proud, happy, fulfilled, and truly enjoyed working. The team’s endless motivation, support, guidance, and enthusiasm inspired us even more. Even though the workload was heavy, working together made everything feel easier. Everyone shared the same goal: helping people in need.

The staff valued us volunteers greatly; they provided us with delicious meals and even played our favorite songs by request to make the work more enjoyable. We worked while dancing  and often lost track of time. Everything was simply wonderful.

Altınköy Open Air Museum amazed me with its nature, beauty, fresh air, cleanliness, and peaceful atmosphere. I honestly wanted to live there  It is impossible not to fall in love with the people, village life, and the museums inside. When I entered the museums, I fell in love with the handmade crafts and didn’t want to leave. Time passed without me realizing it.

And finally, I would like to talk about the place that touched my heart, life, and emotions the most, leaving deep and unforgettable memories: Anıtkabir.

Anıtkabir, how beautiful and meaningful you are. Every detail carries a purpose. It is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye. Seeing people’s respect, appreciation, and constant visits to honor the Great Leader was deeply moving. Standing silently during the National Anthem, feeling its power, and witnessing the soldier march and the changing of the guard was absolutely breathtaking. Everything was perfect—you can’t help but admire it more and more as you watch.

I am extremely excited for the new experiences that await me next month.

With love,

Gülsüm 

November: A Month of Firsts, Fulfillment, and Tiny Notes of Love

 November proved to be a profoundly colorful and enriching month, perfectly balancing the excitement of discovering a new culture with the deep satisfaction of hands-on service. As the Ankara weather turned crisp, the connections I made and the lessons I learned provided all the warmth I needed.

 Stepping Out: Firsts and Cultural Sweetness

The month kicked off with a delightful cultural moment: sharing traditional sweets with new Azerbaijani friends was a sweet way to start deepening my understanding of the diverse region. This warm welcome set the stage for a period of exploration.

I took the time to truly discover the streets of Ankara for the first time, and with that came a few personal 'firsts.' I achieved something I never thought I would: I went ice skating for the first time in my life! It was a fun, challenging, and surprisingly rewarding experience, much like volunteering itself it takes patience, a willingness to fall, and eventually, you find your balance and glide.

Another unforgettable exploration was my visit to the magnificent National Library (Millet Kütüphanesi). Walking through its halls was awe-inspiring. I remember pausing and wondering:

"How much knowledge does these walls contain?"

It felt like disconnecting from the outside world, where every person was in a deeper connection with books. It was a beautiful reminder of the power of learning and reflection.

 The Heart of Service: When Helping Becomes the Point

The true fulfillment of the month came through community work, reminding me of the fundamental reason I am here.

One of the most meaningful experiences was packaging supplies for children with leukemia alongside the LOSEV organization. It was a very nice day, knowing that such a simple act could genuinely change someone's day for the better. This direct form of compassion was incredibly grounding.

Not far from this, we continued our regular mission of food packaging and distribution, preparing and delivering essential goods to needy people in the community. The feeling of satisfaction in this quiet, consistent effort is immense. Knowing that I helped even a bit so someone doesn't sleep hungry that small victory of ensuring someone is cared for is a powerful drive.

 The Pure Joy of Teaching

If there is one aspect of my volunteering that consistently fuels my spirit, it is teaching the children at the local schools. Their energy and love are truly amazing, and they never fail to make my day.

I will never forget one of my very first classes. After we finished our lesson, the children rushed up to me with bright smiles, surrounding me with warm hugs. They asked me to sign their notebooks, making me feel like a true celebrity! The moment that truly captured the magic, though, was when one child slipped me a small paper note that simply read: "I love you."

 Conclusion: The Full Concept

Looking back on November from the sweetness of cultural exchange and the exhilaration of new personal challenges, to the quiet power of helping others it all reinforces a central truth. The experiences, the anecdotes, the hugs, and the quiet moments of gratitude are all wonderful. But the core purpose, the full concept of volunteering, is this:

The rest are just feelings of satisfaction that I could help, which is the point of being here. To help : that’s the full concept of volunteering.

Thank you, Ankara, for a November filled with moments I will carry with me forever.

I’d love to come back one day

 Unfortunately, I started my last month here a bit under the weather. I can say that the only thing I still haven’t gotten used to in Ankara is the cold. This month has been a truly fulfilling one, full of wonderful experiences and valuable life lessons.

One of the new volunteers was from Tunisia. We got along very well from the very first day and had a lot of fun together. Thanks to her, my perspective on Tunisia has broadened, and I’ve learned many beautiful things about their culture. Moreover, being the first Azerbaijani she had ever met held a special meaning for me.

I’ve completed most of the items on my “Things to Do in Ankara” list. During this time, I had both relaxing and enjoyable experiences. I finally found and read that book I’d been searching for so long—it made me feel incredibly good. And tasting my favorite Turkish dish, Iskender, again was a separate joy on its own.

One of the most meaningful moments of this month was our visit to a school. Spending time with the children made me feel like I’d gone back to my own childhood. Their warm hearts and kind words touched me so deeply that I can honestly say I forgot all my tiredness.

One evening, while walking with other volunteers, we passed by a restaurant in Hamamönü. Seeing the Azerbaijani and Turkish flags hanging side by side on its wall filled my heart with emotion. I hadn’t seen the Azerbaijani flag that often in Turkey, so that moment was truly special for me. When the café owner learned that we were from Azerbaijan, he had a sincere and friendly chat with us, which made our night even more memorable.

This month, I wanted to live not as a tourist, but as someone from Ankara — and I think I succeeded. I realized that I now know Ankara almost as well as I know Baku, and I couldn’t help but laugh when I noticed that I even knew things some locals didn’t.  

Walking through the streets with my camera in hand, listening to my favorite songs, while the setting sun painted everything in shades of orange… Capturing memories, getting lost in those moments… These became my small but precious hobbies that filled me with energy again.

This month, I went to Gazi University for the first time and revisited Hacettepe University. Being in a university environment, surrounded by young people, is such a unique feeling. Observing student life outside my own country made me reflect and bring small but meaningful changes to my future plans.

As the month slowly came to an end, I began to feel homesick. Yet even before leaving, I knew I would also miss Ankara. I think I’ve developed a special bond with this city. Although I was born in Baku, Ankara has been the place that pushed me to grow and truly discover myself.

I’d love to come back one day… I don’t know when or how, but I have a feeling I definitely will.

See you, Ankara.

Goodbye, Ander family. 

Exploring Ankara More

 My Second Month with ESC: Exploring Ankara More

In my first month, everything was new: the city, people, the environment. But in the second month, I got more used to the city, the people, and our projects. Daily life felt more familiar and I felt more comfortable.

This month was very colorful for me. A new volunteer came from Tunisia. She became my roommate. I am very happy to meet her because I learned about a new culture and made a new friend. She told me many interesting things about Tunisia – their traditions, music, and food. One day, we decided to cook something from Azerbaijan for her. We made Qaralı plov, and she really liked it. She even said she would try to cook it in Tunisia Amal also loved our Azerbaijani tea. Every evening, we had a “tea time” with the volunteers. We all sat at a table, drank tea, and had long, interesting talks. Sometimes we talked about our cultures, sometimes about our plans, and sometimes about daily life. These moments are some of my most precious memories.

This month, we visited many schools – both public and private. We played games with children and presented Azerbaijan. The children were curious and full of energy. At the private school, the staff welcomed us very warmly. Both the teachers and children enjoyed spending time with us.

I also explored more places. We went to the Central Library of Ankara. It was quiet and beautiful. I also tried different Turkish foods – each one was special. I liked Hamamonu and Kurtuluş Park. Hamamonu has historic, colorful streets. Kurtuluş Park is peaceful and full of nature.

One day, we went to Tulumtaş Cave. It was far, but very beautiful. Nature there was amazing. Later, we visited Mogan Lake in Gölbaşı. The view was wonderful – the silence, nature, and sunset looked like a scene from a movie.

One of my favorite places in Ankara was the Botanical Park. Being in nature there and having a calm day gave me peace and energy.

This month, I also visited universities. We went to Hacettepe and Gazi University. We talked about the ESC program and met students. I shared my experiences. It was interesting and motivating for me.

The second month showed me that every city has its own rhythm and beauty. Every day I learned more and grew a little more.

These two months were very valuable for me. I am glad I joined the ESC program, I am glad I came here. I met wonderful people, and most importantly, I made a friend and roommate, Amal from Tunisia. This experience will stay in my memory for a long time.