Ezgi GÜLOĞLU

Hello everyone,

I am Ezgi Güloğlu. In spring 2026 I had the chance to join a two-month volunteering project in Italy. It was both my first volunteering project and my first experience abroad. Getting to Italy, a childhood dream of mine, this way meant a great deal.

Throughout it I met new people from other countries and cultures, gained new perspectives and had the chance to discover new places. Those two months were unforgettable and very special, and they always will be.

My Project

My placement took place in Orta Nova, a town in southern Italy. Small as it is, Orta Nova gave me a great deal.

Over two months we took part in a range of projects. Sometimes we helped a teacher at an English school, supporting younger and older students as they learned English. We also introduced our intelligence games, Turkish culture and our traditions, and supported nearby schools.

At other times we worked on reducing pollution and protecting nature. We organised a festival full of art, and — most special of all for me — we ran a week-long Youth Exchange in a green garden, surrounded by animals and nature.

In short, those two months were full: different fields, different projects and a great deal gained.

What the Project Gave Me

Short as it was, the effect it left on me was considerable.

Above all I think it contributed a great deal to my self-confidence. Going abroad for the first time and managing it on my own played a big part in that. It was also my first volunteering experience, and completing it successfully showed me that I can achieve things by myself.

Being able to touch people’s lives through the various tasks we took on made me genuinely happy. That feeling was very special. It showed me how valuable contributions made without expecting anything in return really are.

It also reminded me that we make some things far bigger in our heads than they are, and that life is not long enough to dwell on them. It helped me see that we should not shape our lives around other people’s opinions, and should not be afraid to be ourselves.

Thank You

First of all, thank you very much to KOZ-DER for making it possible for me to join this project. By offering me the chance to volunteer abroad they opened the door to a very valuable experience.

Thank you also to the Beyond Borders team, who welcomed us so warmly and looked after our needs throughout, and to the friends who were with me and whose support I felt. They made those two months easier, more enjoyable and more beautiful.

They gave me a wonderful adventure and brand-new experiences. I feel very lucky to have had this chance, and I believe it is an important beginning for the journey ahead.

My first project will always have a place all of its own.

Thank you, KOZ-DER.