Hello everyone! I’m İdil Tunçkıran.
Today, I would like to share an experience that will remain far more than just a “project” in my life — an experience that opened brand-new windows in both my heart and mind. I’m excited to tell you about my journey, leadership experience, and personal growth during the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project “Beyond Borders”, held in the sunny city of Murcia, Spain.
The First Step in My Leadership Journey
Although this was my second Erasmus project, it marked a significant “first” for me: becoming a group leader. At the beginning, I thought this responsibility would feel overwhelming and difficult to manage. However, my Turkish team was so talented, harmonious, and full of energy that my fears quickly turned into pride. Achieving great things together as the Turkish team showed me how guiding a group can actually become one of the most educational and rewarding experiences.
Language Is Not a Barrier, but a Bridge
The main focus of our project was to encourage mutual understanding in communication and demonstrate that Europe’s linguistic diversity is not an obstacle, but rather a bridge. We explored the question: “Is it possible to communicate without sharing a common language?” Most of the activities were designed to introduce each country’s native language and cultural identity. We witnessed how eye contact, gestures, and shared emotions can become powerful forms of communication when words are not enough.
The Surprising Power of Cultural Similarities
As the Turkish team, we recreated a traditional Henna Night during our cultural evening. With our colorful bindallı dresses and traditional rituals, we fascinated the participants. Afterwards, we organized three interactive activities that we had designed ourselves under the theme of “Misunderstandings.”
One of the most memorable moments happened while we were introducing our traditional games. We believed these games were unique to our culture, but we were surprised to discover that participants from the other four countries had very similar games as well. This reminded us once again that borders are often artificial and that, deep down, we are much more alike than we think.
Memories Collected in Murcia
During the cultural nights of the other countries, we felt as if we were traveling around the world. We collected pieces of each culture through their cuisine, dances, and languages. The days we spent in Murcia provided me not only with technical knowledge, but also with valuable skills such as crisis management and empathy in a multilingual and multicultural environment.
“Beyond Borders” is no longer just the name of a project for me — it has become a life philosophy.
Lastly, I would like to sincerely thank Paydaş Derneği, our association president Önder Küçüköner, and Hilal Steinmetz for supporting me and my team throughout this unforgettable journey.
İdil Tunçkıran
Başkent University – Communication and Design
