My Fifth Month in Lithuania

During my fifth month as a volunteer in Lithuania, my language learning journey is still ongoing. I do know some basic words. I try to learn new words every day.

Past weeks, we visited Kernavė with youngsters. Kernavė is a historic city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This area is known as the first capital of Lithuania and is believed to have been inhabited by Vikings. Wandering through the mystical atmosphere and historical ruins of Kernavė was truly enchanting. Visiting the old church and meeting the priest was an interesting experience for me. The priest introduced us to Kernavė's famous cat. This adorable cat, who has many followers on Instagram, is quite shy about being petted.

Another event we attended was organized by the Rokiškis Youth Center. Rokiškis is a small but culturally rich city located in the north of Lithuania. This city is particularly known for its historic Rokiškis Manor and museum. We presented the activities we conduct at our youth center and explained the functions of the mobile youth center. The Rokiškis youth center a professional fire dance group and a discotheque room. They were very proud of the numerous awards they had won in various competitions. They even tried to teach me some fire dancing, which was a very exciting experience for me.

Our next destination was Kedainiai. Kedainiai is a city in central Lithuania, noted for its historical charm. We visited a school there to present our countries and our volunteer work. Aydan and I were in one class, while Gülsüm and Joao presented in another. First, we divided the class into two groups and asked them to draw what they knew about Turkey and Azerbaijan. Then, we presented our countries, explaining traditional dances, foods, and words. The students, seeing someone from a different country for the first time, asked us many questions. Although giving the presentation was a bit tiring, it was very enjoyable for me to share my country and culture with them.

The experiences I had in my fifth month have given me unforgettable memories and valuable lessons. Throughout my volunteer journey in Lithuania, discovering new places, meeting new people, and participating in various activities have greatly contributed to my personal and professional development.