Welcome Picnic and Hattusha Trip for International Faculty
The International Center started off the new academic year with social events and fun activities; the first one was the "Welcome Picnic," which took place on September 23 at the University's festival area. "This annual picnic certainly is one of the best opportunities for incoming faculty members and their families to get together with their new colleagues and enjoy a variety of food, beverages, music and fun activities for kids," said Berna Örge, the International Center Coordinator. The annual event offers incoming faculty members and their families the opportunity to get together with their new colleagues.
The Center also organized a day trip to Hattusha, the Hittite capital city (today known as Boğazköy), on October 13. Twenty-five of the University's international faculty members went on the trip, visiting the historical city and the amazing sites in the area along with the open-air museum located there. Besides visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site, participants from different departments had the chance to get to know each other and enjoy a weekend getaway.
Participants gave the excursion glowing reviews. "I enjoyed it tremendously!" said Visiting Asst. Prof. Michael Petrova Harper (CCI). "The trip to Hattusha was a wonderful opportunity to experience some of the thrill of the archeologist or the explorer who finds herself in the proximity of ancient artifacts."
Barbara Blackwell Gülen from the Department of Translation and Interpretation added, "The trip was so well organized and went so smoothly that I definitely will try to take advantage of other tours."