BY AMNA KARA (MAN/IV)
Name: Marzana Ishraq
Department: Molecular Biology and Genetics/IV
Country of Origin: Bangladesh
What do you like best about Turkey?
The compassion I see in some people here. Just the other day I was returning to the Tunus bus stop, and saw an old lady in front of me drop something. While I was standing there hesitating about whether I should help, another old lady knelt down and picked it up for her. Two complete strangers, helping each other out. You have to admit that’s beautiful.
Are there any similarities between your country’s culture and Turkey’s?
Well, not many. But we do have a lot of words in common between Turkish and Bangla. I’m making a list of those words. Like, did you know the words “ayna” and “mum” are the same in Turkish and Bangla? Oh, and we’re both really hospitable.
What will you miss most about Turkey/Bilkent?
Where do I start? I’ll miss every bit of the Bilkent experience. I’ll miss kaşar peynir above everything else, though.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
I love the campus at night when everyone has gone home. I love the silence; it gives me a chance to reflect.
Why Turkey?
To be perfectly honest, Bilkent gave me a scholarship; that’s why I’m here.
What’s your favorite Turkish food/favorite part of Turkish culture?
Anything with kaşar in it.
Where do expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I want a street named after me. I don’t care what part of the world the street is in; I just want it named after me.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve overcome in Turkey?
I missed Bangladeshi food so I had to teach myself how to cook. That was harder than any bioinformatics software I’ve ever used. I mean, you need to have ninja skills to be good at cooking.
What cities have you visited in Turkey? Which one do you like the best?
I could go on and on. But my favorite place wasn’t even a city; it was Amasra. As a teen I read a lot of adventure novels and thrillers – I read about haunted light houses and rugged cliffs by the sea, and Amasra brought all those places to life. I felt like a private detective sniffing around for clues on a cloudy day. I’ll never forget it.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Not even one, not even a little bit.
What’s a question you’re asked frequently, or the most interesting comment you’ve heard at Bilkent/in Turkey?
Well, I heard it at Bilkent; but it involves Italy. Apparently, there’s a place in Italy called Marzana. A friend of mine told me about learning this while she was on a tour there. Does that count?