Volunteers
What the people who set off with us experienced, in their own words.
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"Beren Taş joined the Don’t Just Scroll, Take Control Erasmus+ training course in Madan, Bulgaria, gaining valuable experience in digital literacy, intercultural learning, teamwork and social awareness."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"Eda Nur Keçeci joined the Don’t Just Scroll, Take Control Erasmus+ project in Madan, Bulgaria, gaining valuable experience in social media awareness, digital literacy, intercultural learning and new friendships."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"Rana Allahverdi joined the Don’t Just Scroll, Take Control Erasmus+ training course in Madan, Bulgaria, gaining valuable experience in digital awareness, intercultural communication, teamwork and personal growth."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"On the Rights Matter, Justice Counts course in Madan, Bulgaria, Dilay Arapoğlu explored human rights, justice and equality — and came home with a wider outlook."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"Joining the Truth or Trick? Click with Care Erasmus+ project after a long break was a very special experience filled with learning, fun, new connections and opportunities for future partnerships."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"On an Erasmus+ project in Madan, Bulgaria, Mehmet Karaoğlan found non-formal learning, intercultural exchange, new friendships and a wider perspective."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"Returning to Madan for the Truth or Trick Erasmus+ project, Simge worked on fake news, information pollution and propaganda — and found a place that had stayed with her."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"Şevval Güney's first Erasmus+ project — the Truth or Trick training course in Madan, Bulgaria — brought knowledge, friendships and memories she will not forget."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Miraç Mustafa Karabaş joined the Grandchildren volunteering project in Madan, Bulgaria, gaining an unforgettable ESC experience through supporting elderly people, environmental activities, solidarity and intercultural friendships."
Romania · ESC
"On an ESC volunteering project in Craiova, Romania, Beyza Nur Aslan ran workshops in youth centres, introduced strategy games and learned as much as she taught."
Italy · ESC
"In Treviso, Italy, Büşra Akdemir ran interactive English activities for children through games, songs and drama — and learned patience, creativity and flexibility."
Italy · ESC
"English through play with 4-12 year-olds in Treviso, Italy — and the discovery that when you go to teach, you are often the one who learns most."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Berkay Kurnaz spent two unforgettable months on the Green World-2 ESC project in Madan, Bulgaria — environmental work, village activities, intercultural learning and new friendships."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Two months on the Green World-2 ESC project in Madan, Bulgaria: landscaping, community work, village hospitality and travel across Europe for Sedef Dizlek."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Ali Reyhan spent two months on the Green World-2 ESC project in Madan, Bulgaria — environmental work, village activities, intercultural friendships and a volunteering experience he will not forget."
Morocco · ESC
"Two months in Agdz, Morocco: Scratch lessons and strategy games with children, Amazigh culture, a Gnawa night and a night under the desert stars."
Morocco · ESC
"KOZ-DER's first ESC volunteer in Morocco: Scratch and algorithm lessons in village schools, Amazigh culture, Gnawa nights and a day in the desert."
Portugal · ESC
"In Viana do Castelo, Portugal, Arda Eren Bulut repaired toys for children, ran workshops with international volunteers and discovered what volunteering really means."
Poland · Erasmus+
"Assoc. Prof. Aybegün Ton completed the Power of Stories Erasmus+ training in Puck, Poland, working on digital storytelling and the Berkeley Method."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"Ceren Ersoy spent a week on an Erasmus+ project in Madan, Bulgaria — and celebrated her 18th birthday there, among people who felt like family within days."
Italy · ESC
"Two months volunteering in Treviso, Italy: primary school activities, introducing Turkish culture and intelligence games — a first for Ceyhun Onaç in every sense."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"At the Inclusive Democracy Lab in Bulgaria, Ceylin Ersoy found a week of learning, a Multicultural Night to remember and friendships that outlasted the project."
Portugal · ESC
"Fifty-five days in Viana do Castelo, Portugal: repairing toys to give to children, games as a universal language, and an inner peace by the ocean."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"Ertuğrul Uğur joined an Erasmus+ project in Bulgaria and came away with new perspectives, stronger communication and more confidence."
Portugal · ESC
"A computer engineer in Viana do Castelo, Portugal: a toy hospital, visits to older people and an algorithms game that sent one child looking up how to build games."
Poland · Erasmus+
"A week of digital storytelling in a Polish marina: scriptwriting, voicing his own story, and — as a naval architecture student — yachts to study every day."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"A week in Madan, Bulgaria left Nisanur Yücetürk with new perspectives, deeper confidence and bonds she did not expect to find so quickly."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"Usually behind the scenes of projects, Şefika Büyükyılmaz was the participant this time — democracy sessions, culture and green landscapes in Madan, Bulgaria."
Poland · Erasmus+
"A week of digital storytelling by the Polish coast: writing, voicing and sharing her own story gave Sera Yıldız confidence she did not expect."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"At the Inclusive Democracy Lab in Madan, Bulgaria, Sueda Özyıldırım found culture nights, a day inside history in Plovdiv and a group of strangers who became family."
Bulgaria · ESC
"On the ART EVS project in Madan, Bulgaria, Aysel Öztürk found art, solidarity, intercultural learning and personal growth — and a place she felt she belonged."
Italy · ESC
"Two months as an ESC volunteer in Treviso, Italy: interactive English lessons with children, cultural exchange and a lesson in communication for Beyza Etöz."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Two months on the ART EVS – Children with Special Needs project in Bulgaria taught Fatma Uytun about solidarity, empathy and the strength of human connection."
Bulgaria · ESC
"On the ART EVS project in Madan, Bulgaria, Fatma Nur Kurt made art sold at a local festival in aid of children in need — and found solidarity through creating together."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Two months of art workshops in Madan, Bulgaria, with pieces sold at the local festival in aid of children with special needs — and a wider world for Gülşirin Şavlı."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Two months on the ARTEVS project in Madan, Bulgaria: handmade pieces sold at the Crystal Festival, hostel life across cultures and friendships around the world."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Volunteering in Madan, Bulgaria, Sami Mahmudoğlu found patience, real connection with the local community and a clearer sense of himself."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Fifty-six days on the ARTEVS project in Madan, Bulgaria gave Sefa Ocak new friendships, unforgettable memories and real personal growth."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Two months making handmade pieces for the Crystal Festival in Madan, Bulgaria, in aid of children with special needs — a first volunteering experience for Sena Mazlumoğlu."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Two months on Art EVS 26 in Madan, Bulgaria: art made and sold at the local festival in aid of children with special needs, and borders crossed in every sense."
Italy · ESC
"Two months in Orta Nova, Italy: English lessons, environmental work, an art festival and a Youth Exchange — a first volunteering project Ezgi Güloğlu will not forget."
Italy · ESC
"Two months in Orta Nova, Italy - a language school, environmental work, a festival and a Youth Exchange - became her first big step abroad alone."
Italy · ESC
"In Orta Nova, Italy, Hatice Gül Özçelik volunteered with the Beyond Borders team, joined a Youth Exchange and returned with a more global outlook."
Portugal · ESC
"Two months in Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal, building bridges between generations — and learning to bend without breaking."
Iceland · ESC
"A month of ESC volunteering in Iceland gave Melih Gedikli waterfalls and canyons, cultural exchange with an international team and a great deal more confidence."
Iceland · ESC
"A month on a short-term ESC project in Iceland: greenhouse work, sustainable production, international teamwork and a lesson in patience for Emre Yükçü."
Romania · ESC
"Two months in Craiova, Romania: food deliveries to a village school, creative work with children and a safe space for young people — volunteering became a way of life for Sera Yıldız."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"Two weeks on an Erasmus+ programme in Bulgaria gave Ömer Fırat Külekçi new friendships, teamwork skills and a great deal more confidence."
Greece · ESC
"On an ESC project in Katerini, Greece, Büşra Akdemir worked in a social pharmacy and in sustainable agriculture — and learned that solidarity is lived, not theorised."
Bulgaria · ESC
"In Madan, Bulgaria, Bünyamin Bayutmuş supported older people, painted playgrounds with children and found that helping others changes you too."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Two months of ESC volunteering in Madan, Bulgaria gave Eylül Özdemir nature work, six countries travelled solo, and the courage to make a decision about her future."
Bulgaria · ESC
"A summer project with KOZ-DER brought Tarhan Mustafa Öksüz closer to a childhood dream — and to nearly 25 countries."
Bulgaria · ESC
"Two months on a short-term ESC project in Bulgaria: environmental work, sustainability, intercultural teamwork and a little Bulgarian for Hüseyin Başak."
Bulgaria · ESC
"As a short-term ESC volunteer in Bulgaria, Hatice İlhan worked on environmental projects, travelled across Europe and came home with a wider view of the world."
Bulgaria · Erasmus+
"Anıl Aşcı joined his first Erasmus+ project in Madan, Bulgaria. One week brought friendship, courage, intercultural learning and a new way of seeing the world."
Egypt · ESC
"Two months volunteering in Egypt: the pyramids from the air, a night ride across the desert, a first dive in the Red Sea and an intelligence-games tournament with local young people."
Egypt · ESC
"Two months volunteering in Egypt: project writing, video production, Mevlevi performances, non-touristy streets — and a memorable encounter at the Saqqara pyramids."
