Milky Way - Turkey

Hello guyss! so here is a story from our dear friend, Milky Way. She had this amazing exchange story that i think will inspire you guys. enjoy! :)

"A few months ago I had a cultural exchange in Eskisehir, Turkey.  My main job was to educate high school students about personal awareness, soft skills, leadership and cultural diversity.  That was also a great chance for me to learn more about Turkish culture through my students, my organization committees and my host family.  Besides, I also worked with 19 other interns from 16 different countries and had unforgettable moments together.

This is more than a life-change experience for me. At home, I used to be shy and hesitated. But everything has changed! My journey began even before I went to Turkey. Everything started from how to prepare my budget, then how to find the right project and get approved, then about my exams and projects, then visa matter. After I managed to beat all of them, I felt more confident in me myself.

Then when my challenge began in Turkey, I felt that everything was easier than I expected. I didn't expect the people here to be so helpful, friendly and hospitable like that. Everywhere I went, I was welcome with big smiles and warm hugs. Together with my beloved host family, I never felt like I was an outsider. As for our project, I was a bit scared at first, but it came and went in waves. Together with other interns and our organization committees, we had two great camps with our beloved students. Through all the ups and downs we'd had during our internship, we're still a big happy family. Then when I saw my talented students shining on the stage, I felt freaking proud of them and of me myself too. Thanks to them, I felt  ike I had the power to change the world.

The forth week I was in Turkey, I still didn't know there were 2 trams in our city and jumped on the wrong one. Then I was afraid that I would take the wrong one back, so I intended to take a taxi. But I couldn't find the taxi button anywhere nearby, so I went back to the tram station. Thanks God that I finally remembered Espark shopping mall so that I had some clue to ask for the right tram back.

At first, it felt fucking scary not to have any clue where I was or how to get home, esp when it was getting dark outside, and freaking cold also. Thanks to those warm strangers that finally I managed to find the way back to the office safe and sound.

I managed not to cry till I got back to the office, back to my friends' arms. Everybody was so scared to hear that I got lost. When I went back to my host family, I found my host parents in the living room on the phone talking with my leader. They were so worried not to see me home and were just about to go out to find me. When they saw me, they almost cried and gave me warm hugs & kisses which made me burst into tears. That was one of the most touching moments for me 'coz I could see how much they cared about me.

Host family is one of the highlights of my experience in Turkey. Through them I learn about cultures and customs. They also make me feel that I'm belonged there. So if you want to have great living experience in a strange country, you have to love it first. And in order to love a country, you have to love its people first.

Life's short, and it can be even shorter than you expect. Don't hesitate to do new things, go to new places, and meet new people.

so dear young people, you should definitely go to Turkey to have life-changing experiences!"