Name: Susan Hsu Chen
Department: Archaeology and Tourism & Hotel Management/Exchange
Country of Origin: Singapore
What do you like best about Turkey?
I like the way Turkey is surrounded by beautiful seas, and also the natural and historical wonders.
What will you miss most about Turkey/Bilkent?
I will definitely miss the friends that I have made here, and of course all the nice Turkish desserts, too.
What is your favorite place on campus, and why?
The RB Building on East Campus. I spend most of my free time, while waiting for classes to start, chatting with friends there.
Why Turkey?
Turkey offers both Eastern and Western cultures, and yet is not quite a mixture of the two, but instead something unique.
What’s your favorite Turkish food/favorite part of Turkish culture?
Tavuk dürüm with chilled ayran.
What is the hardest challenge you’ve overcome in Turkey?
The language barrier. I can only speak a few words in Turkish, and most of the locals we meet on the street don’t speak English. But we still manage to communicate through body language or simply through a smile. Sometimes, words are not necessary to convey genuine hospitality.
What cities have you visited in Turkey? Which one do you like the best?
Cappadocia, Beypazarı, Amasra, Safranbolu, İzmir, Efes, Pamukkale, Fethiye, Antalya, Eskişehir…and I’m adding more to the list. I would say I like Antalya the best up to now.
What is one question you are asked frequently or the most interesting comment you’ve heard at Bilkent/in Turkey?
“Are you Japanese? Can we take a photo together?”