Ceren ERSOY

Hello everyone,

I am Ceren Ersoy. You know how sometimes you go somewhere and, even though you only stay a week, you feel as if you have belonged there for months? Madan was exactly that place for me.

I was excited when I set off for the Erasmus+ project, but I was not quite sure what was waiting for me. Looking back now, I can say I came home with a head full of good stories and a huge smile.

How the Week Went

That week, spent in Madan’s own peaceful, quiet air, was much more than a training course. Every morning brought a new topic, a new workshop and the chance to think towards a shared aim with friends from other countries. It was genuinely wonderful.

But what affected me most was what happened “in between”. Long evening conversations where laughter mixed together, friendships deepening day by day, and being able to talk sincerely with someone in another language. Every moment was full.

What the Project Gave Me

That one week gave me a great deal. Even though we spoke different languages and grew up in different cultures, being able to laugh at the same things and work together in harmony was wonderful. Through this experience I renewed my self-confidence, gained new perspectives, improved my English and widened what I know about democracy.

But I think the most important thing was feeling, a little more deeply, what it means to be a “citizen of the world”. Being in the same space as people from other countries, trying to understand each other and building strong bonds so quickly meant a great deal to me.

The Best 18th Birthday of My Life

What really made this journey unforgettable was that I celebrated my 18th birthday in Madan. Turning a new age in the middle of my dreams, with people I had never met but who felt like family within a week, will stay with me for life.

As I blew out the candles I thought: this project, and every one of these wonderful people, was the most meaningful 18th birthday present I could have had.

Final Word

I am so glad I found the courage to set off. Madan, I really miss you and that wonderful energy.

This experience gave me more than good memories: new friendships, a wider outlook and a stronger confidence in myself. It will stay with me as something very special that I will always remember with a smile.