One Month in Ankara: Small Details, Big Lessons

 I arrived in Ankara with two suitcases, mixed emotions, and no clear idea of how much this experience would change me. I came to volunteer, but very quickly I found myself learning from everything around me ,people, places, habits, and even silence.

One of the first things I noticed about Ankara was how calm and organized everything is. Life has a rhythm here. Public transport is on time, days are structured, and there’s a sense of quiet discipline that I wasn’t used to. At first it felt strange, but slowly it became comforting.

Culturally, many small details caught my attention. One of them was how people take off their shoes before entering the house , something I had only seen before in Turkish series. Living it in real life made me understand how much respect they give to cleanliness and to the home as a private, peaceful space. Tea is also everywhere , in offices, homes, activities, breaks. It’s not just a drink; it’s part of daily life, a moment to pause, talk, and connect. And the food… simple but incredibly delicious. I tried new dishes and discovered flavors that made me feel close to the culture instantly.

And visiting the National Library of Turkey was unforgettable. It was huge, calm, and inspiring. Standing there, I felt like I was inside another world, surrounded by knowledge and focus.

Throughout this month, I constantly stepped out of my comfort zone ,new language, new habits, new ways of communicating. I learned teamwork, adaptability, cultural awareness, and patience. But more importantly, I discovered confidence I didn’t know I had.

This first month in Ankara didn’t change my life dramatically.

It changed it quietly, deeply, and honestly.

And this is only the beginning.