BY ZOHA TASNEEM (IAED/II)
Name: KangEun Seo
Department: Management
Country of Origin: South Korea
What do you like best about Turkey?
The endearing complexity of the Turkish people: Turks may appear as a hot-tempered and somewhat stubborn group of people. Nevertheless, their proud and uncompromising attitude is only reasonable, when Turkey has such a grand history, with the Ottoman Empire and Atatürk’s founding of the Turkish Republic. Once you understand the cultural roots of the Turkish people, you can begin to appreciate their generous, welcoming and genuine kindness.
Are there any similarities between your country’s culture and Turkey’s?
Korean culture does have certain conservative social ideas that are similar to those of Turkish culture; they both seem to highlight respect for elders, neighbors, teachers, etc.
What will you miss most about Turkey/Bilkent?
Besides the Turkish people, food and culture, I will miss the weather in Ankara. Its unpredictability always adds a certain amount of excitement throughout the year. Also, the night air of Ankara’s summer is paramount.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
I enjoy hanging out with my friends around Dorm 76, and at places such as Bilka and the grass field. Sometimes my international friends and I laugh about how “Turkish” we are, as we bite into our çerkirdek and sip our çay at Bilka.
Why Turkey?
I didn’t exactly choose Turkey, because I ended up staying in Ankara for higher education after moving here nine years ago with my family. If I were given the option again, I’d still choose Turkey, in order to partake in the rich and diverse cultural community here.
What’s your favorite Turkish food/favorite part of Turkish culture?
There are too many to be listed, but in summary, Beyti kebap, kuşbaşı pide, mantı, baklava and ayran are my favorites.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I see myself incorporating my Korean and Turkish cultural knowledge to make concrete contributions in the global community.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve overcome in Turkey?
The hardest challenge I’ve overcome in Turkey is the stereotypes associated with East Asians. I’ve had to deal with a lot of name-calling and derogatory comments from strangers.
What cities have you visited in Turkey?
I’ve visited İstanbul, Fethiye, Antalya and İzmir, and towns like Pamukkale, Safranbolu and Amasra.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I have the talent of surviving nine years in Turkey without speaking fluent Turkish.
What’s a question you’re asked frequently, or the most interesting comment you’ve heard at Bilkent/in Turkey?
As international students, we generally get the impression that most Turkish students don’t want to interact with us. However, when I talked to several Turkish students, they made comments about how they also think that the international students aren’t welcoming. I realized that the barrier is illusory, because both communities sincerely want to reach out to one another.