When I arrived in Turkey almost ten months ago, I thought I was coming here to teach English. I was wrong. Of course, teaching was a huge part of my volunteering experience. During these months, I had the opportunity to work with learners of all ages — from preschool children taking their first steps in English, through primary and high school students, to adults and senior citizens.
I delivered workshops and speaking activities in more than twenty educational institutions across İzmir, meeting hundreds of people along the way. But somewhere between lesson plans, language games, and classroom discussions, something unexpected happened. I became a student too. Every day, I learned something new about Turkey, its culture, traditions, values, and people. My students taught me far more than English vocabulary. Through countless conversations, stories, jokes, and shared experiences, they allowed me to see their country through their eyes.
But this experience was never only about education. It was about people. The teachers who welcomed me into their schools. The students who greeted me with excitement every week.The strangers who helped me when my Turkish wasn’t good enough.The countless cups of tea, unexpected conversations, bus rides, cultural misunderstandings, and moments that could never be planned.
Looking back, I realize that this project gave me much more than professional experience. It taught me adaptability. It taught me patience. It taught me how to connect. I arrived thinking I would teach English. I am leaving having learned much more than I ever expected.