BY YAREN SAĞLIK (TRIN/IV)
Name: Yassin Mohammed Ayman Alsawas
Department: Psychology
Country of Origin: Syria
Are there any similarities between Turkey and your home country?
To me, one of the most fascinating things about Turkey is the Islamic architecture in different mosques all around Turkey.
What do you like best about Turkey?
My home country and Turkey share a few aspects, such as the mildly cold weather and the extent of green areas and landscapes.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Turkey?
The things that I’ll miss most about Turkey are its natural beauty and the wide variety of foods that Turkish cuisine offers.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
One of my favorite places on the Bilkent campus is outside the basketball court; the view from there is amazing, especially at sunset.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and/or favorite part of Turkish culture?
One of my favorite Turkish foods is dolma, which actually is a dish common to Turkey and my home country.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
It’s hard to predict the future and set such long-term goals; nevertheless, I see myself as a renowned academician.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve handled in Turkey?
One of the hardest challenges I’ve faced and handled in Turkey was breaking the cultural and social barriers between me and my Turkish friends.
What cities have you visited in Turkey, and which one is your favorite?
I’ve visited İstanbul, Bursa and Ankara; İstanbul is my favorite. Each corner there tells a different story.
Describe yourself in three words.
Conscientious, understanding, curious.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently about Bilkent/Turkey?
Among the most frequently asked questions about Turkey are those concerning its interesting Ottoman history and culture.