BY ZOHA TASNEEM (IAED/II)
Name: Ayesha Saleem
Department: International Relations / I
Country of Origin: Pakistan
What do you like best about Turkey?
The first thing that comes to my mind is the Turkish people. Their friendly nature, lively mood and great outlook toward life have helped me open up to new possibilities.
Are there any similarities between your country’s culture and Turkey’s?
Turkish and Pakistani cultures are similar to each other in the sense that both teach us how to respect one another, we’re very generous toward guests and treat them like family, we’re socially outgoing and we love our traditional foods.
What will you miss most about Turkey/Bilkent?
I’ll miss my friends and the time I spent here with them.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
I would say the library is my favorite place on campus. Some people might think it’s a boring place and people only go there to study, but I’ve spent a lot of time having fun, socializing, attending seminars and doing group projects there.
Why Turkey?
I chose Turkey because of the similar culture, its relatively close location to my country and the recommendation of my Turkish relative.
What’s your favorite Turkish food/favorite part of Turkish culture?
The taste of the dishes is different depending on the city. The tavuk şiş I had in İzmir had the best taste so far.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I see myself opening my own law firm as well as working for a nongovernmental organization.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve overcome in Turkey?
The hardest challenge for me is the language barrier. Even though within the university people understand English, outside it’s difficult to communicate. However, living with Turkish roommates has helped me to improve my Turkish a great deal.
What cities have you visited in Turkey? Which one do you like the best?
So far I’ve only seen Ankara and Izmir. Both are great cities. I love living in Ankara—I know the routes and places around the city, and I like going out to different cafés and restaurants on the weekends. However, my trip to Izmir was also breathtaking, and I’d be willing to go to that beautiful city again.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I’m not sure if I have a hidden talent or not, but my friends always tell me that I have a great voice and they love it when I sing.
What’s a question you’re asked frequently, or the most interesting comment you’ve heard at Bilkent/in Turkey?
The most frequently asked question is, “Where are you from?” and they always tell me, “Your accent is good.”