BY YAREN SAĞLIK (TRIN/IV)
Name: Tamerlan Abdullayev
Department: International Relations
Country of Origin: Azerbaijan
What do you like best about Turkey?
I like the fact that people here are friendly and ready to help you if you have some kind of difficulty.
Are there any similarities between Turkey and your home country?
Since Turkey and my home country are indeed similar to each other, it wasn’t that hard to get accustomed to Turkey’s culture. It’s easy for most Azerbaijanis to speak and understand Turkish as our languages are also similar.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Turkey?
I’ll miss a lot of things about this country and university, as being here has been an unforgettable adventure for me. However, the most specific thing that I’ll miss is hanging out with my friends.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 restrictions, I haven’t had a chance to wander around much on campus, but among the places that I’ve been, I especially like the hill in front of Dorm 76. It’s my favorite place, as I can sit there and listen to music while enjoying the view.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and/or favorite part of Turkish culture?
As I mentioned, our cultures and cuisines are very similar, so I like most of the food here, but my favorite is Turkish baklava.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
As I’m studying IR, I’d like to be in the diplomatic sphere and represent my country.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve handled in Turkey?
Getting a residence permit really challenged me; it made me feel exhausted, as I had to go back and forth to and from the city a lot.
What cities have you visited in Turkey, and which one is your favorite?
I have plans to travel the entire country during my time at university. So far, I’ve been to İstanbul, Antalya, Bodrum and obviously Ankara. My favorite among them was Bodrum.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently about Bilkent/Turkey?
The question that I hear a lot is about the level of education at Bilkent University.
Describe yourself in three words.
Curious, ambitious, self-confident.