All members of a seminar in international relations at Meiji Gakuin University in Totsuka, Yokohama, Japan, the group of students will spend two weeks in Turkey visiting cities, villages, cultural and historic sites, and universities. The trip is part of their research for in-depth seminar papers on topics ranging from Turkish agricultural practices to foreign investment in Turkey. Their visits with people from all walks of life have gleaned information that they can use not only in their papers, but that helps them better understand everyday life in Turkey.

"I am surprised by the big campus and the prices with so many zeros," said Asami Suzuki. "And the food is spicy compared to Japanese food," exclaimed Ayaka Chiba. Like their classmates, the trip's a realization of long-held goals for Asami and Ayaka. "I have been interested in Islamic history since high school, so I've wanted to come to Turkey to see the country and appreciate its historical heritage," Ayaka said. "It's not common studying about west Asia in Japan," explained Asami. "So when I learned more I wanted to come to Turkey to experience it for myself."

One of the highlights of the group's visit to Bilkent was their conversation with Bilkent International Student Club (BISC) members. "I was surprised that so many students are interested in Japan and the Japanese language," Asami said. "We're the same age," Ayaka said, "so I enjoyed talking with them about many, many, things including economics and politics." The exchange worked both ways. "I met a computer science student so we compared our lectures and career plans," said Bilkent student and BISC member Mercan Karahan.

This is the second year Prof. Dr. Mohammad Naghizadeh has led students on a trip to Turkey that included a stop at Bilkent. The university was included in the itinerary thanks to Yuko Shida, a Meiji Gakuin graduate who has taught Japanese language classes at Bilkent since August 1997. With her encouragement and help, classes from her alma mater began visiting Bilkent.

"There is little understanding of this part of the world in Japan," said Dr. Naghizadeh, a native of Iran. "That is why trips like this are so important. These students are the builders of the 21st century relationship between Japan and Turkey."

Students from Meiji Gakuin University in Totsuka, Yokohama, Japan, toured Bilkent and learned about Turkish life and culture from members of the Bilkent International Students Club.

"I was suprised that so many student's (at bilkent) are interested in Japan and the Japanese language"

Asami Suzuki junior in international relations at Meiji Gakuin University