BY NAUSHERWAN AZIZ (MAN/III)
Name: Karen Dufu
Department: International Relations/III
Country of Origin: Ghana
What do you like best about Turkey?
The food! Everything from börek to İskender.
Are there any similarities between Turkey and your home country?
The hospitality of Turks is something I’ve found great comfort in, since Ghanaians are usually very friendly and welcoming. Emphasis on family is also something Turks and Ghanaians share, I think.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Turkey?
The ease of access to everything; unlike many universities abroad, Bilkent has everything you could possibly need within walking distance or a short (free) bus ride. I’ll also really miss Spring Fest and getting to dance the stress of school away.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
There’s a little corner in G Building where the English department is that’s always quiet, full of beautiful art and smells nice. It’s a perfect place to hide and read.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and/or favorite part of Turkish culture?
İskender; I never thought I would be a yogurt-and-meat type of girl, but it’s so good.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I hope to be in a position of power and influence where I can help other people through my words and my actions. I hope to change perceptions and policies that disadvantage certain groups and provide a safer and more accepting society, and I think my background in international relations will help with that.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve handled in Turkey?
Being here without my family and having to make decisions on my own. Also, dealing with the bureaucracy in Turkey as a foreigner is exhausting.
What cities have you visited in Turkey?
I’ve visited many cities in Turkey, including İstanbul and İzmir. My favorite is a little town near İzmir called Muğla; the community is small and friendly, and the setting is beautiful to me.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can type with my eyes closed and make no mistakes.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently at Bilkent/in Turkey?
I hear that Bilkent is full of rich kids (not entirely true, because I live that “broke” life) and that students in the social science departments always have it easy (tell that to the anxiety and stress I’ve developed over the years).
Describe yourself in three words.
Funny, friendly, cultured.
If you could master any skill, which one would you choose, and why?
The ability to speak fluently in several languages, because it’s valuable in both social and professional settings.