My name is Mateusz. This is my fifth month in Turkey, and I feel that I have fully adapted to life here. Thanks to the classes I give, I have met many truly ambitious people, with whom I have managed to build and maintain very good relationships.
December was a particularly challenging month for me. One of the biggest difficulties was my work schedule — working both in the mornings and evenings can be extremely exhausting. Fortunately, I was able to recharge my batteries during the Christmas holidays and the New Year break. We returned to work with a renewed, positive attitude and a readiness for new experiences. We were introduced to our new coordinator, and in addition to our regular activities, we are currently working on our own projects under her supervision. I proposed organising a project called “The Gems of Izmir”, in which four other volunteers and I will organize regional trips. The aim of these excursions is to promote and explore lesser-known areas of the region.
Starting next month, I will also begin my second project, “A Garden Made of Paper”, through which I will promote the Polish tradition of creating floral compositions from crepe paper. The number of classes in January has been reduced, and at the moment I am working with only a few groups. I feel that over the past months I have developed an effective approach to conducting classes, which is why I am now genuinely enjoying my work and having a lot of fun with my groups. Thanks to the beginner-level groups, I am also able to practice my Turkish, which is incredibly helpful for me.What truly captivates me about living here is the openness and kindness of the people, thanks to whom I feel at home in Izmir — as if it were my second home.
