Hello again! What has happened since the last time I wrote here? Technically, not a lot. Each day feels similar to the others, and the workshop place doesn’t change, but there is something magical in that established routine, and the months leading up to the end of our volunteering. We can already feel in the air the excitement and sometimes sadness among the people we grew close with in the span of the last 9 months.
It was the craziest adventure of my life, it changed me completely. Although it’s not over yet, the first long-term volunteers are ready to depart Izmir this month, so there will be a lot of goodbyes and last shared moments. Soon, the workshops and the kind souls we met here will be just a memory, and everybody will have to figure out what’s next for them. But that is the beauty of life; people come and go, and we can only cherish them now.
These past months, I was fortunate to travel around Turkiye and visit new cities. The most surprising place was Konya, where we were immersed in the rich cultural heritage, met very kind people, and ate special foods known from that area. I am grateful that I also had the opportunity to see Ankara and all of its most crucial historical sites. But my favorite place turned out to be the region of Cappadocia. We hiked the Love Valley, dove deep into its history, and took many photos. I want to thank all the volunteers that I went with, because without you guys, it would not have been that fun.
Coming back from the travels was less exciting, but there was another adventure waiting for me. End of Ramadan, which I am so happy to have experienced in Turkiye, Bayram was spent doing nothing and just relaxing. After many months of not going back to my home country, I finally came to Poland for a visit. I had eagerly awaited that moment since I bought my tickets. I missed my family, home, and simple things I didn’t appreciate before, like Polish food. I spent a whole week there and realized how much I have changed, hopefully for the better.
I love change, whether it’s good or bad, it’s something exciting, and breaking off the routine. We got to meet a new, short-term volunteer coming from France. Her energy made us recognise all the small things about this country and gave us a fresh perspective and ideas. Some things didn’t change, I am still doing English Conversation Clubs, and continuing my life here. The places and participants switch, so it’s never too boring; we make it fun and try to be creative with the things we have. We also get the opportunity to lead our workshops on the subject we choose, and thanks to Camilia, my friend and flatmate, we participated in a running event, which turned out even better than expected. We gathered a big group of people of different ages, ran, walked, and shared a snack together. I will forever remember my time facilitating the clubs, and who knows, maybe it will be useful in my future career.
The new question arises: what will we do next? We cannot predict what is coming for us, but we are researching possibilities, and some of us are getting accepted into dream universities or internships. It makes me happy and excited, because we are still young and the world is our oyster. I am very grateful to have lived and shared moments with all the volunteers. Thanks to them, I got to know different ways of life and new options that are worth pursuing. It feels like the end, but it’s just the beginning of our adventures. We will go our separate ways, but maybe fate will bring us together in the time ahead. I wish all the best for you guys. You all were the part that made this exchange so special and unforgettable.
As of now, this month is our last month living in Izmir. I have accepted that reality and decided to create peace with it. I cannot hold anyone, it would have been selfish. Now, it’s time to let go and move on. While searching for calmness, I found my tribe, shared some long-lasting memories, and grew in a way I never thought possible. The time is ticking, and we have dedicated the most precious resource to be here. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this project and for your lives.
