Name: Jaeyeong Lim
Department: Management
Country of Origin: South Korea
What do you like best about Turkey?
I like Turkish people because they’re really willing to be kind toward others and to help.
Are there any similarities between Turkey and your home country?
Both the Turkish and Korean languages come from the same language line: the Ural–Altaic languages.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Turkey?
I’ll miss Turkey itself when I get back home.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
The hill in front of Bilka, because I can just lie down and see stars in the night sky as well as the night view of the city of Ankara. It gives me composure.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and/or favorite part of Turkish culture?
I like kaşarlı Beyti kebabı the most. Unlike in the Korean culture, where life can be hectic with no relaxation, in the Turkish culture people know how to enjoy their lives and find relaxation amid chaos such as midterms. They sit down somewhere and talk while eating sunflower seeds and drinking çay. That’s why this part of Turkish culture is my favorite.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
Since I’m studying management, I would expect to see myself maybe in a company somewhere. I hope to be a CEO. 🙂
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve handled in Turkey?
When I came to Turkey two years ago to register at a university, I had to go to the Ministry of Education to get a high school equivalency certificate, which is required for all international students who want to get into universities in Turkey. I had just a few more weeks to get a certificate and then complete all the steps for registration. But the problem was I couldn’t do anything without the certificate. So I waited, thinking I’d get it in a week at the latest. But I didn’t get it until a month and a half after I’d requested it. Eventually, there was no big problem – as you can see, I’m here – but it was very frustrating.
What places have you visited in Turkey, and which one is your favorite?
I’ve visited almost 10 places, including Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir and Kapadokya, since I’ve been here for more than two years. Kapadokya was the best, because I was able to see many interesting things, such as rocks in a marvelous form and an underground city; plus, there was a lot of good food and different activities to enjoy.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently about Bilkent/Turkey?
I usually get very corny questions like, do you eat dondurma every day, or something.
Describe yourself in three words.
Friendly, optimistic, a little ambitious.