For the whole month of July 2023 me and other peers from bologna had the opportunity to participate in the project Sport+ Volunteer under the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) initiative. This project brought a group of Turkish volunteers to the beautiful city of Bologna, Italy, where we all embarked on a month-long journey filled with different kinds of sport activities, intercultural encounters, and of course the development of new friendships among us all. Indeed, from the very beginning the project set out to promote inclusivity and to embrace and explore the diverse cultural backgrounds of each one of us. Through sports, we could break down barriers that sometimes can arise, create new bonds, and cultivate a sense of unity among us. 

With our peers from Turkey we took part in a variety of sport activities, ranging from the super trendy pilates to swimming and even Molkky (which is a super cool and maybe not so well known game from Finland!). The exchange of ideas and skills during these activities was the best part I would say, as we learned from each other's strengths and grew together as a team.

Another highlight of the project have been the friendly sports matches that were organized. Football, volleyball, basketball - you name it! Each game became a moment to cultivate teamwork and cooperation beyond language barriers, as we were united by the common language of sport.

Up till now it is clear that regardless of the many sport activities we did, the project was not just about this; it was for me (and I am sure for the others as well) an opportunity for cultural exchange and mutual understanding. During the breaks, we would gather around, share stories, and even share each other's cuisines or food taste! Our Turkish friends introduced us to delicious Turkish delights like lokum and bazlama, while we introduced them to the best places to get Italian pizza and gelato. 

Beyond the sports activities, we made sure to show them the wonders of Bologna. Together, we explored the historic streets, admired the local architecture, and shared the local culture; these outings allowed us to know each other on a personal level and appreciate the uniqueness of our backgrounds.

As the project came to an end, there was a bittersweet feeling among all of us. Even if one month was not so long, we developed friendships that knew no boundaries and shared memories that will stay with us for a long time. Sharing so much with the Turkish team of volunteers allowed us to broaden our perspectives, personally it made me learn more of myself while practicing many sport disciplines, learning new ones and overall having fun meeting new people!