Name: Chifae Taleb
Department: Management
Country of Origin: Morocco
What do you like best about Turkey?
Well, since it doesn’t snow in the city where I live, it was a wonderful sensation to experience the snow – especially the view. It was amazing!!
Are there any similarities between Turkey and your home country?
I’ve only been in Turkey for six months now, so I don’t really know about Turkey’s culture. But I guess that the cultures of both countries give great importance to families.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Turkey?
I’ve made some very great friends here, so for sure I’ll miss all of them, and I hope that our friendships will last over the years. I’ll also miss snow.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
I just love staying in bed and doing nothing, so I guess my room is my favorite place on campus.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and/or favorite part of Turkish culture?
Well let’s be honest – I’m a picky eater, which means that I don’t like a wide variety of foods. So I’m pretty reticent when it comes to trying new food. But surprisingly, I found something that I really like, which is et döner.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
My future isn’t really clear right now since it’s just my first year; I hope that by the end of my fourth year I’ll have a clearer vision. But one thing is certain: I want to be happy with whatever I’ll be doing.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve handled in Turkey?
Living on campus alone and very far from my family (for the first time), and of course handling so many responsibilities (especially laundry, hahaha) along with my studies.
What places have you visited in Turkey, and which one is your favorite?
So far, I’ve only visited İstanbul (and of course Ankara), and to be honest, I love both of them. İstanbul is the must-go-to city for shopping, while Ankara is quieter, so it is, I think, more a city where you can study. But I’m hoping to visit other cities as soon as possible.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Well, they’re probably very good at hiding, because I haven’t found them yet.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently about Bilkent/Turkey?
Being the youngest person in my family, I usually hear some comments that it must be very hard for my parents to let me go and study in a foreign country (though that’s not wrong).