BY NAUSHERWAN AZIZ (MAN/IV)
Name: Syed Muhammad Ali Zaidi
Department: CTIS/III
Country of Origin: Pakistan
What do you like best about Turkey?
Turkey’s scenic beauty is among the most extraordinary and jaw-dropping I’ve seen in the many countries I’ve traveled.
Are there any similarities between Turkey and your home country?
Pakistan is as beautiful in its mountainous regions as Turkey is in its coastal regions, and Ankara sometimes reminds me of Islamabad.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Turkey?
I’ll miss my circle of friends, especially the ones not from Pakistan. Being international forces you to find family in friends.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
My favorite place would have to be the Bilka hill. It has been a constant socializing place for me here.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and/or favorite part of Turkish culture?
My favorite food is baklava. If you put baklava in front of me, I’ll eat it, no questions asked.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I like not to think too much about the future, but hopefully I’ll have a family and a decent means of making ends meet.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve handled in Turkey?
The language barrier has proven to be the most difficult.
What cities have you visited in Turkey, and which one is your favorite?
I’ve been to a couple; it would be a tie between Antalya and İzmir.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Only a handful of people know that I can sing, but only when I’m not put on the spot.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently about Bilkent/Turkey?
Literally everyone asks me how to apply for a Turkish visa, or about the best cities to visit for vacation.