When I arrived in Ankara one month ago, I didn’t quite know what to expect from the city, or from the project. My accomodation, shared with the other, volunteers is located near the centre, which makes our lives considerably easier, since we have quick access public transport, and the youth centre where some of our activities take place is within walking distance as well.
These activities include workshops and culture days held by us, English speaking club for the local youth at the weekends, and weekly Turkish lessons that make tackling the language barrier easier. The most essential activity of the project is teaching English in local schools to children between the age of 7 and 16. This is something I enjoy more than I ever thought I would. The children ask us many questions, fuelled by a curiousity regarding our countries, culture, and our opinions of their own country, especially Turkish food. I also enjoy coming up with playful and creative ways to teach them English. Furthermore, standing in front of a room full of children while trying to maintain their attention has helped me expand my comfort zone. The presence of my teammates, who I know I can count on, also helps me relax and enjoy teaching.
We have had some joint activities with local volunteers as well. One of my favourites so far was the cake-baking workshop, where we prepared a cake and two types of cookies while being divided into two groups. The entire afternoon felt like we were shooting an episode of Masterchef, and in the end, we could try everything the two teams made.
We also have the opportunity to travel during the weekends. So far, I’ve spent four days in Istanbul, discovering the beautiful mosques and various other landmarks, like the Cisterna Basilica, the Grand Bazaar or the Archeological museum. We also went on a Bosphorus cruise, and took part in a mosaic lamp making workshop. We have a few more trips planned for the next month, hopefully the weather cooperates.