A Few Things I Gained in Madan

Hello, I am Rana ALLAHVERDİ.

When I was going to Madan, I honestly did not know how these 10 days would pass for me. A new country, people I had never met before and a different training environment… At first, everything felt a little unfamiliar. But as the days went by, that feeling of unfamiliarity slowly turned into comfort.

After a while, sitting at the same table with people from different countries, joining activities together and talking about what we experienced at the end of the day started to feel very natural.

For me, this was one of the most beautiful parts of the project: every day had a small, unplanned but unforgettable moment.

During my time in Madan, I did not only take part in a programme. I met new people, encountered different habits and had the chance to see my own habits through the eyes of others.

On the Other Side of the Screen

At first, the title “Don’t Just Scroll, Take Control” seemed like just a project name. But as time passed, I understood more clearly how meaningful it actually was.

We use our phones almost constantly throughout the day. We see a piece of news, watch a video, like a post and then move on to another piece of content within seconds. During the project, we had the opportunity to think more deeply about these habits.

For me, digital awareness became much more than simply saying “we should use the internet correctly.” I realised the importance of not accepting every piece of information immediately, questioning why I believe what I believe and not being only a passive consumer in the digital world.

We did not learn these things only by listening to presentations. We experienced them through games, discussions and teamwork. That is why I believe what I learned will stay with me in my daily life.

What I Truly Gained

When I look back on this project, I do not remember only one training topic or one activity. What stays with me more is seeing myself in an environment where I did not know anyone at first.

Communicating with different people, defending my ideas when needed, listening to the opinions of others and producing something together showed me new things about myself.

I also experienced that Erasmus+ is not only about travelling or being in another country. Sometimes a short conversation with someone, an idea that appears during group work or a small detail you learn about another culture can add something new to the way you think.

When I returned from Madan, one of the most valuable things I had was the feeling that I could say, “I am glad I came.” At the end of 10 days, I had met wonderful people and gained a new perspective about myself.

To Those Who Contributed to This Experience

Being part of such an experience was a great opportunity for me. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the project and made this opportunity possible.

I would especially like to thank Mazlum FİDAN and Halil ÖZKARACA. Their care, support and efforts throughout the project were truly valuable to me.

I believe they played a big role in making this not only a training programme, but also a beautiful experience for us.

The 10 days I spent in Madan may look like only a short period on the calendar. But for me, they will remain a time full of new people, new thoughts and beautiful memories.

Some experiences become more valuable after they end. For me, Madan is definitely one of them.