Hello, my name is Gökhan. I would like to tell you about the lasting impact that the two months I spent in Poland had on me.
I can’t quite put my finger on exactly why, but this experience was truly unforgettable for me. I had previously taken part in two other projects, but this was the first time I was the only Turkish person in a group. I found myself surrounded by volunteers from Italy, France, Spain, Mongolia, Ukraine, the United States, Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Kenya. Never before in my life had I learned so much about so many different cultures and countries in such a short period of time.
This cultural richness was also reflected in the house we shared, especially in our kitchen. We quickly formed a wonderful bond with our housemates, and before long, we started cooking together every day. One day, I would be preparing something from Turkish cuisine; the next, we would be having Hong Kong-style chicken ramen. On another day, it might be Pakistani-style butter chicken or a delicious Spanish dish whose name I still don’t know.
I have to admit, though, that it is entirely my fault that everyone in the house became a fan of lentil soup and developed a serious love for yayla soup. And as if that wasn’t enough, my Spanish housemate even packed some tarhana in his suitcase when he returned home.
For two months, whenever I stepped into the kitchen, I made sure to introduce my friends to Turkish flavors, and without exception, they all loved them. Thanks to me, at least a few more people no longer think of Turkey as being all about kebabs.
The warmth we created in the kitchen soon spread to every corner of the house and into every moment we shared. I don’t think I will ever forget the movie and karaoke nights we had in Poland. I will miss the days when we practiced yoga together, and even something as simple as going grocery shopping as a group. Despite normally being an introverted person, during those two months, I barely spent any time in my room. Seeing that change in myself was truly priceless.
Of course, it wasn’t all about the fun times we had at home. The project we worked on was also incredibly fulfilling for me. I wanted to get to know myself better and feel like I was genuinely part of something. So, beyond travelling and having fun, I really wanted to contribute and do meaningful work. Playing games with children, preparing cultural presentations for them, and organizing workshops with older people gave me exactly that. For the first time, I truly felt that I was making a difference and touching someone else’s life.
After all these wonderful experiences, if someone asked me, “Would you join the same project again?”, honestly, my answer would be no. Because I know that if I went back, I would always be looking for that first team and missing the unique dynamic we created together. When the project ended, I didn’t even think, “I wish it had lasted a little longer,” because I had collected so many memories that I needed time to truly take them all in.
But if I had the chance to experience this journey from the very beginning, with that same excitement and anticipation, I would drop everything and go again without a second thought.
Now, we have all returned to our own countries. But none of us are the same people who first set foot in Poland. We are all back home, a little different and a little more grown than before.