Die Kölner Freiwilligen Agentur vermittelt Freiwillige aus dem Ausland in gemeinnützige Einrichtungen in Köln (international volunteers) und entsendet Freiwillige aus Köln in seine Partnerstädte, die dort soziale Einrichtungen unterstützen (Internationaler Freiwilligendienst).

Heute möchten wir uns herzlich bei Sezin für ihr Engagement bedanken, die seit Februar 2024 für ein Jahr in der Internationalen Friedensschule Köln tätig war!

My name is Sezin. I am 28 years old and originally from İzmir, Turkey. I have completed a 12-month ESC project in Cologne, Germany. Before participating in my volunteer project, I wanted to live in a „once in a lifetime“-experience abroad and also experience living in a new country, immerse myself in a different culture, and improve my language skills. At the same time, since I have a background as a lawyer and civil society worker, I wanted my project to align with my experience working with young people and children.

That’s why I chose to volunteer at an international school, supporting teenagers aged 15-18. As part of my project, I worked closely with international students living in the boarding house, supporting them in their academic and daily life at the house. My main tasks included participating in pedagogical activities, contributing to the personal and academic development of the students and helping them become more independent in their daily lifes. I also had the opportunity to join school-organized trips and assist in organizing some of them. This allowed me to explore both Cologne and other cities in Germany more closely.

Throughout my volunteering experience, I carried out the following tasks:

• Guiding students with their homework and assignments,
• Helping students develop daily living skills (room organization, cleaning, kitchen responsibilities, etc.),
• Assisting with organizing and participating in weekly and monthly trips,
• Organizing art, sports, and social activities (painting workshops, sports events, yoga, nature walks, etc.),
• Participating in school activities and guiding specific events,
• Attending weekly team meetings to share my observations and contribute to work planning,
• Organizing weekly shopping and providing necessary supplies.

Throughout my volunteering experience, I had the opportunity to attend various trainings and seminars that helped me grow in different areas. Before beginning my project, I participated in the Pre-Departure Training organized by my sending organization, the Gönüllü Hizmetler Association in Turkey. Later, I joined the 7-day Arrival Training and the 5-day Mid-Term Evaluation Meeting organized by the German National Agency, which brought together ESC volunteers from across Germany. I also took part in nine monthly volunteering seminars organized by my coordinating organization, the Cologne Volunteer Center. These seminars covered topics like life in Germany, living alongside different cultures, EU citizenship, democratic participation, and discrimination. In addition, thanks to the language course support from the ESC program, I enrolled in a German course and was able
to improve my German skills.

These seminars not only helped me gain knowledge but also provided the opportunity to meet ESC volunteers from different cities across Germany. As a result, I made many new friends, some of whom I still keep in touch with and have formed strong bonds with. The friendships I built with people from different countries have been one of the most valuable outcomes of my project. Furthermore, my year in Cologne wasn’t just about volunteering as well; it was also a time of personal and professional growth. From the very moment I stepped into the city, I was drawn to its cultural diversity, energy, and the opportunities it offers. Cologne, being a young city filled with social and cultural events, is close to other European countries. This photo is from our school trip to Beethoven House in Bonn. The other photo is from our school trip to the top of Cologne Cathedral. It’s been a great experience for me to settle into social life and engage with the community.

In short, this project offered me more than just volunteer experience. It gave me the opportunity to live independently, explore different cultures, and work in an international environment. The skills I gained here and the support I received have been invaluable for my career goals. I learned a lot about social participation, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, language development, and sharing. I had the opportunity to rediscover myself in a new language and culture. Additionally, thanks to the mentor assigned by my coordinating organization, I had regular support that helped ease my integration process. Ultimately, these 12 months were an invaluable experience for both my professional and personal development. At the end of the year, I am happy to say that I am glad I participated in this project.

Sie suchen Freiwilligendienstleistende als Unterstützung für Ihre Einrichtung? Dann informieren Sie sich bei uns! Ihre Ansprechpartnerin ist Frau Susanne Freisberg-Houy, susanne.freisberg@koeln-freiwillig.de, 0221-88827825.