Story of Lara from Turkey
What is Home?
Answering the question “What is home?” isn’t easy for me—home is more a feeling than a place. But when I think about what makes me feel safe and secure here, I realize it’s the green, calm spaces that remind me of where I grew up. My hometown is in the north of Turkey, close to the Black Sea, in a very green area full of forests and trees. In childhood, we played in tree houses just like in American movies, and I really loved that feeling. When I moved to Istanbul, it was all buildings, and I didn’t really feel that sense of home. But in Kraków I see lots of parks around the city, and my favorite is the one in Podgorze — it has very tall trees that remind me of my home. All my life I’ve lived near water—usually the sea—so here I live very close to the river and almost every day I walk by it. Whenever I feel anxious, want to think, I just walk. Since childhood, I’ve had this habit: I walk, and then things feel resolved.
Bagry Beach
Living in a calm area connected with nature really makes me feel at home.
I love Bagry for that same reason: I can walk around the water, swim, enjoy the sun, and still see lots of green areas around. These elements—weather, water, trees—are crucial for my sense of home. I support this feeling with daily habits, too: my apartment is full of plants because I want that connection to nature. Many things in Poland are very different from Turkey—architecture, people, food—but nature is the same. That continuity of green spaces and water is the connection that makes me feel at home.
Hospitality Traditions
Turkey has a very hospitable culture, something I try to maintain while living in Poland. In Turkish culture, inviting friends home for dinner is a common practice, and I continue this tradition by preparing Turkish meals for my friends here. When we Turks host guests, we tend to go above and beyond—perhaps doing "too much" by some standards—but this generosity is central to our cultural identity.
Walking in Parks and along the Riverside
I've also embraced some new activities in Poland that differ from typical Turkish leisure pursuits. While most Turks prefer going to the seaside for swimming during summer rather than mountain hiking, I've come to appreciate exploring forests and other natural locations here in Poland. Walking in nature has become an important activity for me in Krakow—I particularly enjoy strolling in Park Bednarskiego in Podgorze, along the Vistula riverside, crossing bridges to explore different areas, sometimes extending my walks to Wawel Castle. This reminds me of my habits in Istanbul, where I lived near the Bosphorus and regularly walked along its shores. Krakow's flat terrain makes walking much easier compared to many Turkish cities with their hilly landscapes, allowing me to maintain this connection to my previous lifestyle while adapting to my new environment.
Fitness culture
In Poland, fitness is a big part of everyday life — people of all ages go for walks, run, or work out regularly, even in the middle of winter. Coming from Turkey, this focus on physical activity felt like a positive culture shock, since it’s not as common there. In Poland, many companies offer benefits like the Multisport card to encourage an active lifestyle, while in Turkey, it’s more typical to receive a meal card. Since moving to Kraków, I’ve gotten into this rhythm too. I go to Saturn Fitness in my neighborhood, and it’s made a real difference in how I feel, especially during the winter months. I used to struggle more with low moods at that time of year, but staying active has really helped.
Balcony culture
When my husband and I moved to Kraków, one of our priorities was finding an apartment with a balcony. In Turkey, balconies are a big part of everyday life — especially in summer. We spend so much time there: eating breakfast and dinner, hosting guests, listening to music, playing games. It’s more than just an outdoor space; it’s a place for gathering and relaxing. In Kraków, the balconies tend to be much smaller, often just enough space to stand or smoke, which felt unfamiliar to me at first. Still, even a small balcony here helps me feel connected to home. It’s a simple way to keep part of my culture alive — being outside, yet still in the comfort of home, just like back in Turkey.
Global Minds Collective
After I started living, working, and connecting with international communities in Krakow, I saw firsthand how powerful cultural exchange can be — not only for building friendships, but also for broadening perspectives and creating a true sense of belonging.
Global Minds Collective was born from this simple need: the desire to connect across cultures and have fun. What began as a search for international spaces in Krakow quickly evolved into a growing community built on curiosity, openness, and shared experiences.
Today, Global Minds Collective is a vibrant network of individuals from around the world. We come together through cultural events, language exchanges, and casual social meetups. It offers welcoming spaces where we can connect, share, and grow — both personally and collectively.