BY NAUSHERWAN AZIZ (MAN/II)
Name: Alisa Maryam Hyat Khan
Department: Communication and Design/I
Country of Origin: Pakistan
What do you like best about Turkey?
I love the diversity of Turkish culture, and the myriad opportunities open to everyone. You can bathe in the Riviera-like sun down south, go skiing up north, visit historical sights and, at the same time, visit the metropolitan, contemporary cities for a 21st-century extravaganza. Also, the love for animals here is heartwarming.
Are there any similarities between Turkey and your home country?
Other than the similarity in our languages, Turkey is quite different from my home.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Turkey?
Having had both of my older brothers graduate from Bilkent, after I graduate I suppose I’ll miss the constant tie to the university we’ve maintained for so long.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
My dorm room; it overlooks the Dorm 76 hill and the city lights, so I can people watch and enjoy the view from the comfort of my cozy room.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and/or favorite part of Turkish culture?
My favorite Turkish food is probably fırın kebab, which I’ve only had thrice in my life because I’ve only found it at one restaurant in Konya. I love the Turkish warmth and hospitality reserved for foreigners.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
Hopefully someplace happy, where my attendance doesn’t matter and I don’t get graded for anything.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve handled in Turkey?
The language barrier gets a little difficult at times, but more so, the biting Ankara cold! And people tell me this is just the beginning….
What cities have you visited in Turkey, and which one is your favorite?
Antalya, İzmir, İstanbul, Konya, Çeşme and Alaçatı. Because of its quaint, charming nature, I’d say Alaçatı was my favorite even though it’s not a large city or anything.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can crack my knuckles nonstop on command. It’s crazy.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently about Bilkent/Turkey?
“Wait, so are the Turkish people actually as good-looking as everyone says they are?” (They are.)
Describe yourself in three words.
A Chronic Daydreamer.
If you could master any skill, which one would you choose, and why?
Organization. I’d want to be really good at being organized so that there wasn’t a stack of laundry and unfinished assignments waiting for me at the edge of my bed all the time.