Serkan Umut ÇAĞMAN

Ten Unforgettable Days in Bulgaria: Digital Democracy 🇧🇬

Some experiences give you far more than you expect. The Digital Democracy: Youth Voices Online! Erasmus+ project I joined in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria, was exactly that kind of experience for me. Meeting new people, discovering different cultures and making great memories together was a real joy.

Different Cultures, Great Friendships

During the project I had the chance to meet and bond with young people from different countries. Learning about each other’s cultures, traditions and ways of life was wonderful.

Communicating in English also helped me grow. As the project went on, I noticed my English becoming more fluent and that I could express myself more comfortably.

Digital Democracy: What I Gained

Under the project’s main theme of digital democracy, we worked on young people’s place in democracy, freedom of expression, fake news and the conscious use of social media.

Above all, I learned to question the information I come across online and not to believe every piece of news right away. Thanks to this experience, I now approach the digital world more consciously.

Presenting Türkiye on 29 October 🇹🇷

One of the most special moments of the project was the intercultural night where we presented Türkiye. We shared food and drinks we had brought from home with our friends.

The night fell on 29 October, Republic Day, which made it even more meaningful for me. Telling friends from other countries about the history and meaning of Republic Day, and why it matters to us, made me truly proud.

Great Memories Together in Plovdiv

Exploring Plovdiv with our friends was one of the most fun memories of the project. The city’s historic fabric, architecture and streets fascinated me.

Discovering a new city with friends I had met from different countries made the trip even better. The time we spent together and the memories we shared mean a lot to me.

Much More Than Ten Days

When I left Bulgaria, I didn’t take home only beautiful photos: new friendships, more fluent English, new knowledge and unforgettable experiences came back with me too.

I hope to meet the friends I made in this project again, somewhere else, some other time.

Thank You

I sincerely thank KOZ-DER for giving us this opportunity and guiding us throughout the process, our host organisation Association FORUM, and all my friends who made this experience unforgettable.

I’m so glad I joined and so glad I met these people. This experience will always stay with me as a beautiful memory. 💙