BY ADA KILIÇARSLAN (ECON/IV)
Name: Ariza Ichalova
Department: Law
Country of Origin: Russia
What do you like best about Turkey?
Most of all in Turkey I like the natural environment, Turkish food and the kind people who are ready to help in any situation.
Are there any similarities between Turkey and your home country?
To be honest, Turkey and Russia are very different, but perhaps the natural landscapes and culture of some of the southern regions of my country are similar to those of Turkey. However, these are similarities that can’t be ignored. In Turkey I feel almost at home.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Turkey?
I’ll miss my friends, the beautiful campus and the Turkish language.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
The Odeon, because it has a special atmosphere, and of course, the School of Law, because I really like my faculty.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and/or favorite part of Turkish culture?
My favorite Turkish dishes are köfte and dolma.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
The main thing is to remain a kind and respectable person who is successful in her business.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve handled in Turkey?
I think at the beginning the most difficult task is the language barrier, as many people have different accents that aren’t immediately understandable. And of course, it’s difficult to know what kind of weather to expect in Ankara on any given day.
What cities have you visited in Turkey, and which one is your favorite?
İstanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Alanya and İzmir. My favorite is İstanbul, as a huge amount of the country’s cultural heritage can be found there.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently about Bilkent/Turkey?
When I tell people not from Bilkent that I’m studying here, their first remark is, “Wow, that’s the best university in Turkey!” And my classmates also often talk about this.
Describe yourself in three words.
Sincere, purposeful, kind.