Story of Lara from Turkey
What is Home?
Defining “home” has never been a straightforward task 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 reminiscent of scenes from classic Hollywood films, 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 one is Park Bednarskiego in Podgórze — it has very tall trees that remind me of my home.
All my life I’ve lived near water—usually the sea, and in Krakow I live in close proximity to the Vistula river and walk along it almost every day. Whenever I feel anxious or need to think about something, I just take a walk. Since childhood, I’ve had this habit: I go for a walk, and everything just feels right again.
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 essential components of my sense of home. I nurture this feeling with daily habits, too: my apartment is filled with plants because I crave that connection to nature.
Many things in Poland are very different from Turkey—architecture, social norms, food—but nature is very similar. That continuity of green spaces and water is the connection that makes me feel truly at home.
Hospitality Traditions
Turkey has a deeply ingrained culture of hospitality, 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 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.
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​When not hosting at home, I sometimes take friends to Turkish restaurants in Krakow, like Istanbul Turkish Restaurant, especially when they express interest in experiencing Turkish cuisine. I typically recommend they try lahmacun, a thin, flavorful flatbread often called "Turkish pizza".
By maintaining these traditions of hospitality—whether cooking at home or sharing a meal out—I stay true to my roots while navigating a new culture. This part of my life brings me immense joy; it is where I feel most like myself.
Walking in Parks and along the Riverside
I've also embraced some new activities in Poland that differ from typical Turkish leisure pastimes. 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 mirrors my lifestyle 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 fundamental pillar of daily life — people of all ages are out walking, running, or working out, even in the depths 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 adopted this mindset as well. I go to Saturn Fitness in my neighborhood, and it’s made a significant impact on my well-being especially during the winter months. I used to struggle more with seasonal blues 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 cornerstone of the home, especially in the summer. We spend so much of our time there: eating breakfast and dinner, hosting guests, listening to music, or playing games.
In Krakow, balconies tend to be much smaller—often barely larger than a ledge—which felt unfamiliar at first. Still, even a small balcony here helps me feel connected to my roots. It’s a simple way to keep my habits alive: being outside, yet still in the comfort of home, just as we would be in Turkey.
Global Minds Collective
After I started connecting with international communities in Krakow, I saw firsthand how powerful cultural exchange can be — not only for building friendships, but also for expanding horizons and creating a true sense of belonging.
Global Minds Collective was born from this simple need: the desire to connect across cultures and enjoy ourselves. 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 globe. We come together through cultural events, language exchanges, and casual social meetups. It offers an inclusive environment where we can connect, share, and grow—both personally and collectively.