Hello! It’s me, Abdullah from Türkiye.
This is my moment to reflect on my volunteering journey, a journey that began in February and continued until December. Looking back, so many things have changed. I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of this experience. I never imagined that a single year away from home could shift my perspective on life so deeply… but that’s how life works. We keep changing, and the only thing that never changes is change itself.
My experience started with the on-arrival training, meeting with other volunteers all around Slovakia. I arrived as a newcomer, just like everyone else; unsure, curious, and excited. We learned, we explored, we supported each other, and months later at the mid-term training, we saw how far we had come. I met amazing people here, people I will stay connected with long after this project ends. They shaped me, inspired me, and helped me see the world through new eyes.
So what did I do throughout this volunteering year?
I supported weekly English conversation classes, which had participants from 18 to 70, monthly hiking activities where we explored Slovak mountains, supported workshops, organized activities, and projects focused on greening skills, digitalism, AI, soft skills, civic engagement, youth participation, and social integration. My role kept expanding as I gained confidence and experience. I supported facilitation of high-school workshops, joined activities at the youth and integration centers, helped run our team volunteering projects under City Health Week and Mobility Week, and represented our organization at public fairs. I was also involved in an integration programme for immigrants under the city where I supported meetings, and learned how a community becomes more inclusive.
One of the most meaningful parts of this time has been meeting people from different cultures, languages, and backgrounds. This made me realize how much connection can grow from even the smallest interactions.
Beyond all the tasks and activities, this year became a personal transformation. I strengthened my communication, organization, facilitation, and digital competencies. I discovered new interests like cooking, content creation, and exploring AI tools. I learned to trust myself more, to adapt, to take responsibility, and to keep moving even when things felt unfamiliar or difficult. Every workshop, every event, every conversation taught me something.
Today, I continue to grow, learn, and look forward to the future with excitement. I believe deeply in community, creativity, and learning through real experience. And I’m ready for whatever comes next; new experiences, new people, new stories.
For now, dovidenia, Slovensko 🙂
