Salam. Necəsən?”

If someone greets you with that, then you can answer them with ‘Salam. Yaxşıyam!’; a simple greeting in Azerbaijani, like the English ‘how are you?’ and ‘fine, thank you, and you?’.

Addressing and embracing struggle is the first step to fostering growth. Six weeks, one new country and countless memories. Follow Winnie as she learns how deep of an impact she can make.

A whole new world. Unfamiliar language, culture and customs. Witnessing something new with every look. You wonder whether you’ll truly belong, whether the experience will be meaningful, or if you’ll feel like an outsider passing through. The fear of the unknown is a feeling humanity has held since the dawn of time. Overcoming this was something that changed Touko’s life.

Nicole’s Global Volunteer journey is a story of turning the desire for international exposure into meaningful impact. She shows how volunteering abroad builds purpose, global friendships, and a deeper understanding of education and community.

Many of us want to make an impact, but we’re not always sure how. We study. We work. We build skills on paper. Yet sometimes it still feels like we’re waiting for the right moment to do something meaningful. Sissie felt that too. She wanted more than just learning in familiar environments. She wanted to challenge herself, grow real skills, and understand what impact actually looks like beyond theory. That’s what led her to Global Volunteering and all the way to Azerbaijan.