THE STORY OF TRANSFORMATİON FROM CATERPİLLAR TO BUTTERFLY

Hello, I am Emel from Batman, Turkiye. I am 26 years old and I graduated from the Department of English Language and Literature last year. After graduating I didn’t do anything related to work life because I
believe that I first need to fill my soul with life, experiences, people relationship and so on.

I volunteered during in TEGV foundation in Turkiye one year. I gave the children English lessons, algo digital lessons, and short activities. But I didn’t want my experience to be limited to Türkiye alone.
Since childhood, I’ve always wanted to travel abroad, experience new cultures, meet new people, and
connect with them. Because learning a new language means meeting new people, gaining a new
perspective, and a limitlessness dream world.

So I applied for European solidarity corps projects and I heard many beautiful comments about Poland from my university friends. I think I became completely focused on these projects and I finally received a response from IB Polska. The process requires patience, but it’s definitely an experience worth pursuing until the end. This project is very important to me. It’s beyond my limitless dreams and it’s also my first time.

My whole life had been a cycle of going to school, coming home, and meeting up with friends whenever I felt like it. Just like a caterpillar reaching the end of its cycle, I have lived in my own simple world, slowly and patiently. I finally left behind everything that made me feel safe and good and embarked on a new journey.

For the first time, I took a solo intercity trip, boarded a plane, and experienced one of the best moments
of my life. I fell in love with Krakow. I love nature, and I feel like my soul belongs here. It’s only my second day here, but I love the city. All the amenities are nearby, and the transportation system is efficient and convenient.

All my friends are very sweet, kind, helpful, and friendly, and my coordinators are just as kind and helpfuf. They were incredibly helpful to me throughout this process, and they continue to be.

I’ll be working at a school for children with special needs soon. I haven’t started yet, but I’m excited to begin and hope my 9.5 months stay here will be wonderful.

If everything feels like a dream from the very beginning, I eagerly await the transformation of this story because I will transform from a caterpillar into the most beautiful, independent butterfly and fly.

If we show the patience to come through the entire life cycle with the same patience as the caterpillar, we can become butterflies in life and seize new opportunities. God doesn’t make a person dream of anything that he won’t make happen. So hold on tightly to your dreams and believe in them; if not today, then one day your dream will surely bring you to where you want to be and embrace you tightly.

Article by Emel,
European Solidarity Corps Volunteer
Welcome article for European Solidarity corps volunteers from 11/09/26