My name is Sezgin Usta, I am 25 years old. I am from İzmir, Türkiye. I first came to Poland in 2022 through the Erasmus program. After graduating in Physical Education Teaching in Türkiye, I decided to continue my studies and pursue a master’s degree in Poland, so I returned in 2023 to study.
In February 2025, I started a one-year European Solidarity Corps (ESC) project at the Bona Fides Association. Through this project, I’ve had the chance to gain new experiences, make international friends, and participate in various volunteering activities in schools and associations.
Since I am a teacher, I especially enjoy working in schools. I would like to share my experiences about schools.
One of the most interesting experiences for me has been working at a sociocratic school. Before this project, I had never heard of such a system. In this school, children make their own decisions through a voting method — every morning they gather and decide which lessons and activities they want to do that day. I found this approach very impressive because even though the children are young, they behave in a very mature, responsible, and independent way. They speak fluent English and have a very open and thoughtful mindset.
Another great experience was at a gastronomy high school, where students learn how to cook and manage a restaurant that belongs to the school. During our visit, each volunteer prepared a traditional meal from their home country, and the students had the opportunity to taste and share their opinions. It was a beautiful exchange of cultures and traditions.
One more place that deeply touched me was a special education school in Sosnowiec, where we spend time with children with disabilities. Everything there is well organized, and each activity is full of joy and positive energy. Spending time with those children and being able to share love and kindness with them was an emotional and unforgettable experience. Seeing their smiles and making their day a bit brighter gave me a deep sense of happiness and fulfilment.
