Mobility - Türkiye

Our third mobility within the Erasmus+ project took us to the beautiful city of Hatay in Turkey. After two previous mobilities that allowed us to connect with students from different countries, this time we had the opportunity to experience Turkish culture, history, and traditions firsthand. The main themes of this mobility were sustainable development, tackling air pollution, and exploring alternative energy sources, which are becoming increasingly important in the fight to protect our planet. We were excited for the new challenges ahead, as well as the chance to meet new friends and gain experiences that will stay with us for a long time.

🌱 Youth! Let's Create Environment and Climate Change Awareness!

Together, we will build environmental awareness, take action to protect the environment, and combat climate change. 💚

The long journey to Turkey finally began, filled with excitement and curiosity about what awaited us. After several hours of travel, we arrived in Hatay, where we were warmly greeted by our Turkish hosts. This time, we were staying with the families of local students, which made the experience feel even more personal and authentic. It was exciting to be welcomed into their homes and learn about their daily lives. The warmth and hospitality we received made us feel like part of their families right away, and we were eager to explore and immerse ourselves in the Turkish culture.

he first day of our Turkish adventure was all about getting to know each other. We played ice-breaking games that helped us connect with the other students from different countries. Everyone was smiling and eager to make new friends. After that, we had a tour of the school, which was much larger than we expected, and we got to see the classrooms and facilities where the students study. It was impressive how modern and welcoming everything was. Later, we had the chance to present our project "From Misty Air to Transparent Air Journey," which focused on air pollution and how it affects our world. It felt great to share our ideas with everyone. We were divided into three groups to prepare for a workshop, and it was exciting to see how we would all work together. After a full day of introductions and activities, we felt like we were truly part of something bigger.

Day two was all about tackling a serious environmental issue—air pollution. We worked in our mixed groups to create a chart about the causes of air pollution. We discussed everything from car emissions to industrial pollution, and each group member contributed their ideas. It was surprising to see how much we already knew and how much we could learn from each other. We also came up with solutions to reduce pollution, which we ranked according to their importance. We spent the day brainstorming, debating, and learning from each other’s perspectives. It was amazing to see how a group of students from different countries could come together and come up with creative ideas for solving global problems. It felt like we were actually making a difference, even in small ways.

fter evaluating our workshop solutions in the morning, we were supposed to attend a lecture by Professor Muna Gazel from Mustafa Kemal University. We were really looking forward to learning more about alternative energy sources and how they can help reduce air pollution. Unfortunately, due to the devastating earthquake, the professor had tragically passed away. It was a sad moment for all of us, but the geography teacher stepped in and gave us a lecture using the professor's materials. It was very informative, and we learned a lot about renewable energy and how important it is for the future. In the afternoon, instead of visiting the university's woodland, we went to Habib Waterfall. The natural beauty of the place was breathtaking, and we got to see a diverse ecosystem that was different from anything we had seen before. Despite the changes in plans, it was a great experience that we’ll remember forever.

Today, we explored the city of Hatay and visited some iconic sites. We were supposed to go to the Hatay Archaeology Museum, but it was closed due to earthquake damage. Even so, we visited other important landmarks, like St. Pierre Church and the Grand Mosque. It was amazing to see so many different places of worship and to learn how people of different faiths live side by side in this region. We also walked through the old city center, visited the Titus Tunnel, and explored caves that had been used by ancient civilizations. It was a day full of history, culture, and awe-inspiring sights. We felt so lucky to be able to see these places with our new friends and to learn so much about the rich history of Hatay.

The final day of the program was bittersweet. We filled out evaluation forms, reflecting on everything we had learned and experienced during the week. We also read the notes in the “wish column” that we had written at the start of the mobility. It was incredible to see how many of our expectations had been met. In the afternoon, we gathered for the certification ceremony, where we received certificates for our hard work during the week. The farewell party was emotional—saying goodbye to our new friends and host families was difficult. We exchanged contact details and promised to stay in touch, but we knew this experience would stay with us forever. We all agreed that it had been an unforgettable week, and we were grateful for the chance to be part of this amazing program.

The day of departure arrived, and it felt like the week had flown by. We said our goodbyes to our host families, who had made us feel so welcome, and headed to the airport. The flight back was filled with reflection on everything we had seen and learned. We realized how much we had grown and how much we would miss Turkey. But we also felt thankful for the friendships we had made and the incredible experiences we had shared. This mobility program had opened our eyes to new cultures, new ways of thinking, and new environmental issues that we could work on in the future. As we landed back home, we were full of gratitude and excitement for what’s next—this journey was just the beginning.