''Discover Different Cultures with EVS''

''Discover Different Cultures with EVS'' project, of which Gebze Technical University International Office is the Coordinator and the Sending Organisation has focused on the intercultural education and developing the dialogue between cultures. Within the scope of the project, 14 young  people aged 17-30 living in Turkey had the chance to volunteer for a short term in Ukraine. Volunteers took part in social and cultural activities organized by the Hosting Organization (MultiKultiUA). Thanks to the project, the volunteers had the opportunity to work voluntarily at foreign language camps and charity events in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city. Volunteers were selected among young people who are eager to volunteer in youth projects, who can work with children and old, young and disabled people, who have strong human relationships and who can adapt to the working environment. Through volunteer activities, participants have gained important social and professional experiences by carrying out different activities in a professional working environment where they found opportunities to introduce Turkey and Turkish cultures while living in a foreign country and also improving their foreign language knowledge.  All essential costs (traveling, accommodation, insurance etc.) of the volunteers were covered by the project budget. The project initially aimed to encourage young people living in Kocaeli, especially Gebze, Dilovası, Cayırova and Darıca to become more conscious about the EVS program and participate in EVS projects. However, the scope of the project enlarged to receive applications and contacts from several people from all over the country thanks to active presence in social media. Our university displayed utmost efforts to support the youth in the field of voluntary and social responsibility projects and contributed to the awareness of the society. Young people with limited opportunities (socio-economic, cultural, etc.) were encouraged to gain self-confidence and to become more open minded individuals through abroad experience. In addition to raising awareness, young people were supported to search and apply for different project calls of youth mobility as well as regional partners (Municipality, Chamber of Commerce, etc.) were cooperated in order to raise the visibility and dissemination of the project. As it was aimed, this project gave GTU the opportunity to be in contact with potential partners in further new strategic partnerships with the organizations in Ukraine Kharkiv.

The acceptance, execution and completion of the  ''Discover Different Cultures with EVS'' project has provided an awareness of the EVS program both locally and nationally. Thanks to the project webpage (www.gtu.edu.tr/erasmus) and dissemination activities, GTU has been gladly sharing its knowledge and experience with other organizations (Municipality, NGO, Foundation, Associations, etc.) and encourage those that has the potential EVS accredited organizations in Kocaeli and its districts.