I’ve had the chance to travel a lot over the past two months. Along with the other volunteers, I attended a seminar in Diyarbakir organized by the National Agency. The eastern part of Türkiye is incredibly rich in culture. Its architecture, traditions, and vibrant energy made me feel so comfortable, even though I hadn’t expected it to. One thing I’m sure of: I’ll be going back there very soon! I’m especially grateful for these kinds of gatherings because they provide a fantastic opportunity to connect with other European volunteers based in different cities.
In addition to that, my friend Yann and I decided to organize a trip to Greece. We started in Athens and then crossed the Aegean Sea by boat to reach Lesbos Island. The weather was perfect, and since it was the low season, the cities weren’t too crowded. This made it ideal for exploring places like the ancient city. We hadn’t planned anything beforehand, wanting to keep the trip spontaneous, and this led to some crazy and funny moments. Overall, we had an amazing time together, and I’m so grateful for the experience.
Another highlight was going back home for the end of the year. I have to admit, I really missed home, but I didn’t fully realize it until I was actually there. It was wonderful to be surrounded by my family and friends. I didn’t do anything particularly special, just spent time with the people I love most. However, I’ve come to understand that when you live far away, even the simplest moments at home become incredibly precious. These everyday things, which might seem ordinary, turn into rare treasures that should be cherished.
As for my volunteering journey, things are going well. I’ve noticed that I’ve become much better at organizing and delivering workshops. With experience, I’ve learned to adapt my approach depending on the audience and their needs. Since I primarily run workshops in the same places, I’ve built meaningful connections with some of the participants. It’s such a rewarding feeling to see familiar faces attending week after week. To me, that’s the ultimate reward knowing that people resonate with my way of communicating and are eager to learn more. It’s also exciting because we’re growing and learning together.
However, it’s not always smooth sailing. Often, different people attend the workshops each week, which can be frustrating as it disrupts the continuity and purpose of the sessions. Sometimes I doubt my impact, especially when attendance is low or when no one shows up at all. But fortunately, our volunteer team is incredibly supportive. During tough times, we’re always there to encourage and uplift one another, which I find truly beautiful. Every moment we share, whether professional or personal, is enriching. This collective knowledge and support help us improve our individual workshops.
To conclude, I want to emphasize that even when things don’t go as planned, it’s all part of the journey. Not everything is supposed to happen the way we want it to. And if you think about it, life would be too easy without its challenges. It’s during these down phases that we find ways to grow and move forward. For me, working on my own projects and spending time with friends has been my way of staying motivated.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next post!