Hi,
My name is Nina and I’m from a small country Georgia which is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and is a combination of uniqueness and diversity.
After graduating from Tbilisi State Medical University, I decided to challenge myself in an unfamiliar environment to get to know myself better, travel, figure things out and undergo real-life experiences. I wanted to gain personal development and make a difference in the world so I went on a cross-cultural internship program in the Czech Republic, aimed to support the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. The whole process gave me a chance to push myself out of my comfort zone, show some independence, raise self-awareness and participate in a global learning environment. Back home I continued volunteering work and was contributing to the world’s largest youth-run organization.
At that time the natural disaster occurring in Australia and the general condition of our planet had been deeply concerning me and since I didn’t want to be a part of the world which is ignorant towards the things that matter, I started looking for the opportunities that would give me a possibility to contribute to the environmental protection. Then I found the ESC project ‘’Let your creativity out’’. Bodrum Youth, Culture and Art Center offered a great opportunity for those who wanted to make a difference in the world, to support environmental protection movement and eco-friendly lifestyle by using nature art. Definitely this project suited my personal values well so I applied and was successfully selected.
Although the project was interrupted, getting to know young people from 11 different countries and working together for a common purpose offered me other perspectives and expanded my horizons.
For me volunteering is a great way for doing something that speaks to my heart, discovering the world and developing my personality. It is one of the most transformative experiences that requires leaving your comfort zone but helps us to bring the best out of ourselves. It’s all about giving and getting, and during this inner and outer journey, you’ll discover all your values, your passions and yourself even further.
So do more things that spark a light in you because you are responsible for the energy you create for yourself!
Photo by: Daniel Dluhý