Get to know our ESC Volunteers - Gokce

The ESC programme is much more than an internship: it is a life-changing experience requiring participants to open their minds by experiencing other cultures. It also enables volunteers to become socially involved in a new culture and committed to a professional organisation.

We interviewed one of this year's ESC volunteers, Şevkat Gökçe Doğan, to get the scoop on her European Solidarity Corps experience with Galway Community Circus. Read on to get to know Gokce!

Where are you from?

I’m from Turkey.

What is your training or background in circus or the arts?

I joined into circus from the theatre and dance fields. I have been practising physicality and movement for the last 4-5 years, especially in aerial arts/aerial hoop.

What made you want to volunteer at Galway Community Circus?

Galway Community Circus was (and still is) the best place for me to be. I wanted to learn about the inner-workings of circus, how the magic works inside an organization and the production side of things.

What do you love about working with Galway Community Circus?

GCC has the coolest admin people I’ve ever met. It’s friendly and professional. Where I came from was quite the opposite – we had to compete against each other and it was always two steps forward, one step back when working towards professional solutions.

What do you love about Ireland?

The music and musicians! I thought I would make friends from just circus but I met loads of traditional and unconventional musicians, which led me to many adventures that helped me understand the culture and nature of Ireland throughout the music. I love the Atlantic Ocean and the Wild Atlantic Way, and I am happy that I had chance to travel down the coast to Cork – that was amazing. I will miss her (the ocean) the most.

What are a few important things you have learned while volunteering with GCC?

-Resilience! I learned that if you keep pushing continuously it will come. I am so glad that we didn’t give up during the never-ending process of obtaining my Irish visa. And here I am now, applying for Portugal.
-I learned a lot about teaching. I feel I am more aware of teaching techniques.
-I gained so much confidence! I couldn’t call myself a dancer before but now, “of course I am a dancer!”
-It’s not that simple. I saw how things run behind-the-scenes and I learned that even in the smallest circus projects, you need to juggle with budgets, permissions, complying with Covid-19 regulations and much more.

What is one thing you love about circus in general?

Circus is the only place where I don’t feel awkward (other than being out in wild nature.) It’s not only a place, it’s people, it’s an understanding of the world. It’s everywhere, it’s inclusive and it’s in everything. I am the kid whose mom keeps telling her to stop playing with my food. I am 30 years old and still playing with my food, but here in circus no one tells me to stop playing – they join me in playing, by making a puppet character out of food.

Why do you think a programme like European Solidarity Corps is important?

It’s a great chance to experience another culture through a project. It opens two big doors – the social life of the city/country you are in and finding new ways of doing things professionally.

It’s also not that scary when you know someone will be there when you are in need – mentally, physically and socially.

Would you recommend that other people apply to volunteer at organisations through the ESC programme? Why?

Of course! Especially for people like me (not having permission, a visa to enter EU, having ten times currency difference – 10 TL=1 Euro). With those issues, it can be nearly impossible to just go and travel.

Even if you don’t have those issues, I’d recommend doing it just to be part of something bigger. To run projects together with beautiful people from everywhere is just so unique and AMAZING! Don’t miss it. I am working with French, Brazilian, Irish, Spanish, Flemish and Finnish people at my work place and learning a lot from each of them. I feel like I’m at home in my accommodation, I love to go to work, I love my social life and funky friends, I love seeing the ocean all the time and jumping in the river after work. This programme makes you become a part of wherever you go. Your future-self will be very thankful to your past-self for presenting this beautiful experience to you.

You can learn more about the European Solidarity Corps here or visit the European Solidarity Corps page on our website for more information.