Uliana's Second Month

 It is hard to believe, but my ESC volunteering journey in Ankara is slowly coming to an end. August was a great month filled with new experiences, meaningful connections, and moments that I will always carry with me. From spending time with kids at the youth centers and learning alongside them, to exploring the hidden corners and traveling to different parts of Türkiye. Every day seemed to bring something valuable.

We started the month with a training meeting organized by the National Agency. There, we met volunteers from different countries who are also doing their projects in Türkiye. It was inspiring to exchange experiences, share our stories, have small talks during coffee breaks, and explore together the wonderful city of Van. During our stay, we visited the largest lake in Türkiye - Lake Van - and took a trip to Akdamar Island, where we saw the beautiful Armenian Church of the Holy Cross.

After that, we continued our journey back in Ankara. Like the previous month, we spent our days working with kids at Mamak and Altındağ Gençlik Merkezi, running games and creative workshops, and sharing small everyday moments with them. We also participated in YOUniverse: International Youth Day Meeting, where we presented Erasmus opportunities for young people, shared our volunteering experiences, and talked about youth exchanges for anyone interested.

This month I also had the chance to organize a Ukrainian Cultural Day. It was a wonderful opportunity to share a piece of my own culture with others. I brought some treats from Ukraine, talked about Ukrainian traditions and daily life, shared music and stories from home. It felt great to see how interested everyone was, asking questions and trying to understand more about my country. It was also nice to take part in the cultural days of other volunteers. Each event felt like a little journey to another country, exploring traditional food, listening to music, learning new dances, and hearing stories about local customs. These moments reminded me how uniqueand valuable it is to live in such a multicultural environment, where every day brings something new to discover and appreciate. I feel truly grateful for this opportunity.

This month we also had the chance to travel and see more of Türkiye. Our first stop was Cappadocia, and honestly, it felt unreal. The valleys and rock formations looked like something from another planet, and watching the hot-air balloons at sunrise was one of those moments you don’t forget.

Our next destination was Izmir. It was interesting to walk through the bazaar and along the seaside, and it gave me a glimpse of everyday life in a large Turkish city. Even if it wasn’t my favorite stop, it added to the whole experience of discovering different sides of Türkiye. Not far from Izmir, we also visited Alaçatı, a small town that instantly felt cozy. Its narrow streets, stone houses, and colorful little cafes were so charming that I could have spent hours just wandering around.

And of course, we couldn’t miss Istanbul. The city is huge and intense, but also fascinating. One moment you’re standing inside a centuries-old mosque, and the next you’re in a busy modern street with shops, music, and crowds. It’s overwhelming in the best possible way, and every corner has something to surprise you.

During this project, I made so many friends, and I feel incredibly lucky to have spent two months with such a wonderful team. We became a true family, supporting each other through challenges, sharing laughs during free time, celebrating small victories, and creating memories that I know will last a lifetime. This project has taught me the value of friendship, teamwork, and openness to new experiences. I leave Ankara with a full heart, grateful for everything I’ve learned, excited for the future, and confident that the people and experiences I encountered here will continue to inspire me wherever I go.

Görüşürüz, Türkiye!

My Voluntaring Journey

 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.

And what I know for sure: this is just the beginning.

See you later!