“I wanted to start my text like this. Because since the day I arrived in Estonia, this is what I keep saying whenever I try to describe what I’m experiencing here. Sometimes what I live feels beautiful, sometimes strange, sometimes difficult, and sometimes all of them at once. And in those moments, I can’t really find the right words to express myself, so I just say: Estonia… Estooonia… :))
I am now in my 6th month of volunteering, which means I am exactly halfway through this journey. And if I had to summarise these six months in one word, I would call it AN ADVENTURE. But not an ordinary one. It feels more like travelling through different worlds every couple of months, living each phase with completely different emotions.
My first two months were completely different from the next two. Everything was new, unfamiliar, uncertain. The language, the people, the streets, the silence. Then, in the following two months, that uncertainty slowly turned into routines and habits. And just when I thought “okay, now I’m used to this,” the experience showed me a different side of itself. In the last two months, I started turning more inward, thinking more, feeling more. The most beautiful part is that you can truly feel this change happening. You are aware that you are living something meaningful.
When I first arrived in Estonia, I kept saying: “Yes, I’m in Estonia, but what I’m experiencing here is more than just being in a different country.” Because when everything around you is different, you learn so many things very fast. And that makes you feel that you are changing too. Sometimes I feel like a newborn baby discovering the world: constantly learning, constantly being surprised, constantly growing. The only difference is that I am living this phase consciously, as an adult. And I think this is the best part of volunteering and living abroad.
Thanks to the structure of the programme, many things here are already planned for you. Your accommodation, your support system, the general framework. This creates a very safe space. Because after that, there is only one thing left for you to do: take responsibility and live. No one forces you to be happy, no one learns instead of you. The opportunity is given, what you do with it is up to you.
Of course, this is not heaven. It is a process lived with limited financial resources. A new country, a new environment, moments of loneliness, days when you struggle. And some people might ask: “How beautiful can this really be?” But that’s exactly the point. All the difficulties, even the bad moments, are part of this beauty.
Here, I think I gained a habit that will probably make me a happier person when I return to my country. Let me explain. In Estonia, there have been countless moments when I said “I love this country” and just as many moments when I said “I hate this country.” But over time, I learned something very important. Whenever I said “I hate this country,” I knew that a moment would come when I would say “I love this country.” And whenever I said “I love this country,” I knew that another difficult moment would eventually come.
This awareness taught me to stay calm. When things were bad, I learned to say “this will pass.” And when things were very good, I learned to truly enjoy the moment, knowing it wouldn’t last forever either. Because I know I cannot stay here for more than 12 months. Everything is temporary.
And actually, life itself is like this. We just don’t always notice it. We have a limited lifetime. No matter how bad something is, it will end. And no matter how good something is, it will also pass. So we should learn to notice both, and appreciate both. For giving me this perspective, I sincerely thank Erasmus+a dn the ESC.
If I speak more specifically about Estonia and my volunteering experience: as a Turkish person, this country is truly different. Having visited many European countries before, I can honestly say that coming to Estonia was the right decision for me. Its silence, its nature, the distance between people but also their quiet sincerity, all of this taught me a lot.
As for the organisation where I volunteer, I don’t think I could have been luckier. Volunteering in a place that already has a strong sense of community makes a huge difference. Even if you come from thousands of kilometres away, being among people who share a similar spirit and way of seeing the world feels like arriving at another home.
I now know that I am part of a community. In just six months, I have met people who value me and whom I value deeply. This is something I am truly grateful for. And it doesn’t stop there. Not only within my organisation, but also in the city itself, I feel like I am contributing to this place.
During this time, I have visited many schools. I have worked with children of different age groups, organised activities, spent time with young people, and created events together with them. I have met teachers and had the chance to see the education system through their eyes. I think this is what truly getting to know a country means, far beyond touristic experiences.
How else could this happen? As a regular visitor, could I ever enter schools, youth centres, and connect with people on such a deep level? Most likely not.
These six months have given me more than a new country. They have given me a new perspective. They showed me sides of myself that I didn’t know before. They taught me patience, how to live with uncertainty, and how to stay present. Most importantly, they showed me how much I can grow once I step out of my comfort zone.
I am only halfway through this journey. There is still so much to experience, so many stories yet to be lived. But even now, I can say this with confidence: this experience will stay with me for the rest of my life. And one day, when I look back, I know exactly what I will say again: Estoonia, Estooonia.“
Stay tuned for more of Melih’s adventures!
Are you curious about a volunteering experience? Read more.