BY NAUSHERWAN AZIZ (MAN/III)
Name: Mylla Crystina Alvarenga Ramos
Department: International Relations/Erasmus
Country of Origin: Brazil
What do you like best about Turkey?
Its people. They’re kind, generous and really proud of their identity and culture.
Are there any similarities between Turkey and your home country?
Yes, mainly people’s warmth and the big cities’ dynamics. Both countries seem to have a much more active city life.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Turkey?
I will certainly miss my new friends from Bilkent the most.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
Actually my favorite place is the Starbucks in A Building. Since I have a lot of exams right now, I find it a good place to study, relax and have some good coffee at the same time.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and/or favorite part of Turkish culture?
Künefe, for sure. As for the culture, I love the traditional Turkish music and the idea of drinking tea several times a day, which is very different from my country.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I expect to be working in my favorite field in international relations, which is conflict resolution. I would like to live in a big metropolitan city and build a family of my own.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve handled in Turkey?
I think the language is the most difficult part. Turkish isn’t an easy language for me. I don’t have that problem at Bilkent, but in the city it’s sometimes difficult to communicate with others.
What cities have you visited in Turkey, and which one is your favorite?
I have so far been in Ankara, İstanbul, Trabzon, Fethiye and Eskişehir. As much as I like living in Ankara, the city that I liked the most was İstanbul.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I like writing, sometimes. I’m not sure if it’s a hidden talent, but it’s my favorite hobby.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently about Bilkent/Turkey?
I frequently hear that studying at Bilkent is very hard, and I’m starting to believe it. The university has great professors, and they’re very demanding.
Describe yourself in three words.
I would say curious, ambitious and sensitive.
If you could master any skill, which one would you choose?
I would choose to dance. When I was a child I dreamed about being a professional dancer, but I was never really good at it.