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. 

Hello again

 Hello again, Ander family,

This is my second time coming here. It hasn’t been that long since I left, but my longing for this place outweighed everything, and once again I found myself in this beautiful place, surrounded by warm-hearted people. The experience I had last time gave me so much in such a short period. I had taken important steps for myself on the path of learning. This time, I hope to grow even more through this valuable experience.

Walking through the familiar streets again—yet as a slightly different person and alongside new volunteer friends—reminded me once more of how quickly time passes. Strolling through the colorful night lights of Ankara, walking from Kızılay to Tunalı towards Kuğulu Park, standing once again in the unique serenity of Anıtkabir… all of these were truly special moments for me. Meeting again with the friends I had made here was an entirely different joy, an indescribable feeling.

Although climbing up to Ankara Castle was a bit challenging for me, sharing the experience with my new volunteer friends made it much easier. This time, I was able to look at everything from a new perspective.

One of the places I discovered for the first time this month was Saraçoğlu Neighborhood. It has such a calming atmosphere. Reading a book while sipping my coffee amidst the greenery quickly became one of my favorite activities. Holding our English conversation clubs at the youth center in this beautiful neighborhood made it even more meaningful to me.

Towards the end of the month, we also traveled to Istanbul and Cappadocia with my volunteer friends. We had fun, we learned, we relaxed, and we came back with wonderful memories.

Istanbul was a city I was visiting for the second time. Although the crowds were a little overwhelming, the deep blue beauty of the Bosphorus, its historical buildings, and its views captivated me once again. Especially the Galata Tower… every time I see it, it stirs something different inside me. Staying at a place where I could see it often was a big advantage this time. Its glowing silhouette under the night lights was truly mesmerizing.

Visiting Büyükada for the first time gave me a completely different energy. The liveliness of the locals and tourists, the island’s colorful atmosphere—it was so refreshing. The two-hour ferry ride, the new Turkish dishes and desserts we tried, the historical buildings of the island… all became memories I don’t want to forget. If I ever had the chance to live in Istanbul, I would probably choose this place. The spirit and energy of the island feel like such a perfect match for me.

Something both funny and a little disappointing also happened to me in Istanbul. I happened to run into an actor from a TV series I like at the ferry terminal. I recognized him and got excited, but since he didn’t want attention in the crowd, he refused our request for a photo. At the moment I felt a little sad, but now when I think about it, it’s just another fun and unique memory.

Cappadocia, on the other hand, was like stepping into another world. Experiencing that mystical and romantic atmosphere I had only seen in TV series, movies, and on social media was unforgettable. But a small note: don’t be fooled by the beauty—you might get caught unprepared for the cold mornings (like me ). The sight of colorful balloons floating across the sky makes you feel as if you’re living inside a fairy tale. You can truly feel like a princess there. But Cappadocia is not just about balloons; its history and natural formations are also worth exploring. I especially recommend visiting the Fairy Chimneys and enjoying a cup of tea while taking in the view before you leave.

This month, we also said goodbye to a volunteer friend whose energy had given us so much. It was a little hard emotionally to see him off. But I think having someone whose farewell feels so heavy is actually a blessing—it means you’ve built a meaningful connection. Knowing that I’ll meet him again is comforting.

Being able to experience all of this for the second time in the same year was truly a privilege for me. The month passed by so quickly and so full that I didn’t want it to end. The energy of Turkey, especially Ankara, holds a very special place in my heart. I hope that the coming month will be even more joyful, enriching, and unforgettable—for me and for my friends.

My Volunteering Adventure

 

Hello!

 It is with a heavy heart that I say my volunteering journey is coming to an end. Even though two months might seem long, time passed in the blink of an eye. During this period, I collected memories that I will never forget- moments that will forever have a place in my heart.

 We started the month off with great momentum. Thanks to the orientation event we attended with other volunteers, I had the opportunity to rediscover Ankara- this time more in- depth. Spending time together in places of historical and cultural value such as Ulus Square, İş Bank Museum, Hacı Bayram Veli Mosque and its bazaar, and Ankara Castle was both educational and incredibly enjoyable.

 Our weekend trip to Bursa was an entirely different experience. In this city full of history, we visited mosques, bazaars, Irgandı Bridge, and the Panorama 1326 Bursa Conquest Museum. Bursa captivated me not only with its architecture but also with its delicious cuisine. The two days I spent there were truly unforgettable.

 In Ankara, we participated in the Disabilities Festival where we set up our own stand and shared both fun and meaningful moments with the attendees. Later, we visited Altındağ Imam Hatip School. We played English games with the children, got to know them, and prepared for a festival together. The fact that they saw me as a teacher, yet approached me with such warmth and friendliness, truly warmed my heart. Finding myself back in a school environment after years was more beautiful than I could have imagined.

 I also took the time to visit the grave of Məmməd Əmin Rəsulzadə, the first president of our Republic and a highly important figure for Azerbaijan. It was a meaningful and special moment for me.

One of the most exciting moments of this month was realizing a childhood dream: visiting Istanbul. From the moment I set foot in the city, I felt how different it was from Ankara. The early morning rush, crowds, and energy- even on the weekend- reminded me time and again that I was in a big city.

 

I began my journey by visiting Mihrimah Sultan Mosque in Üsküdar. The sea view from the mosque was breathtaking. Walking through the charming wooden houses of Kuzguncuk, taking the ferry from Üsküdar to Eminönü, and getting lost in the vibrant streets of Istanbul was indescribable. I loved traveling by ferry so much that I took 4–5 rides in a row. Visiting landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet, the Spice Bazaar, Galata Tower, Taksim, Ortaköy, and more allowed me to feel both the magic of history and the energy of modern life at once.

We also continued visiting village schools this month. Organizing creative workshops for the children and spending time with them helped me reconnect with the joy of childhood. Our activities weren’t limited to schools- we also visited universities. At Lokman Hekim and Hacettepe University, we shared our ESC experiences with students and answered their curious questions. Through these events, I made many new friends.

Speaking clubs, workshops, and various activities filled my days to the brim. This volunteering experience not only gave me beautiful memories, but also added great value to my personal growth and changed my life in a positive way. I am deeply grateful for everything I have gained and the amazing friendships I have formed.

Saying goodbye is never easy- but this time, with so many special memories in my heart, it’s a little harder. This journey will always remain an unforgettable part of my life. Thank you to everyone for everything. I hope our paths cross again someday.

MY EXPERIENCES IN TURKIYE IN APRIL

 

Hello! I’m Asmar!

I came to Ankara from Azerbaijan as a short-term volunteer, and I have now completed my first month here. It was my first time visiting Türkiye, and I must admit that the emotions I felt a month ago were intense and beautiful. Of course, I can’t say that I wasn’t nervous at all, but those feelings quickly faded, replaced by excitement and warmth.

From the very first day, I started building beautiful friendships with the people I met. Fortunately, I get along very well with my roommates too; spending time together has made me fall in love with Ankara even more. The fact that Türkiye is a brother country to Azerbaijan has helped me feel much more at home. The people I meet outside are always warm, sincere, and friendly, constantly reinforcing this wonderful feeling.

With every new piece of knowledge I gain, I discover how close our cultures are, and finding so many similarities bring me a special kind of happiness.

The first place I visited in Ankara was Anıtkabir. From the moment I stepped onto the grounds, I could feel the special and powerful emotions the site carries. Witnessing the ceremonial change of guards particularly moved me; their discipline and the seriousness in their posture left a strong impression on me. Walking through the museum dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and learning more about his life and struggle deeply touched me. I’ve actually visited Anıtkabir twice already!

Later on, we visited Tulumtaş Cave. The natural beauty carved over time, illuminated with soft lights, made it feel like stepping into a fairytale world. Walking among the pillars and stalactites, I completely lost track of time.

But that was just the beginning; I also strolled through the historical streets of Ankara Castle, felt the spirit of traditional architecture in Hamamönü, found peace in the serene nature of Gölbaşı, and had a wonderful time in Gençlik Park.

We even had the chance to go ice skating with other volunteer friends! Although I was a little hesitant at first, we ended up having an unforgettable day filled with laughter.

I also visited Kuğulu Park — with its elegant swans and lush greenery, it felt like a small escape within the city.

This project has not only given me the chance to explore new places but has also helped me grow personally. One of the most touching experiences has been visiting village schools. Spending time with the children, capturing their innocent smiles through my camera, and playing with them has rekindled the childlike spirit within me. Their pure joy and affection left a deep mark on my heart and created some of the most precious memories of my life.

In addition, the many workshops we participated in and organized have made every day here even more colorful and meaningful.

One of the most unforgettable moments was the "Azerbaijan Cultural Day" event that I prepared. That day, I proudly introduced my country’s unique cuisine by cooking plov (traditional rice dish) and gave a presentation about Azerbaijani culture, offering our guests a small journey into my homeland.

Seeing the smiles on their faces and sharing a piece of my country with them brought me an indescribable joy.

As I wrap up my first month, I feel the excitement of learning something new every day, meeting new people, and sharing the same emotions with people from different cultures.

There is still so much left for me to discover on the streets of Ankara, and I can't wait to continue this adventure!