BY AMNA KARA (MAN/IV)
Name: Haziq Khan
Department: EE/III
Country of Origin: Pakistan
What do you like best about Turkey?
I like many things about Turkey. The first thing you’ll notice once you move to Turkey is the amazing weather. I was born in Saudi Arabia and the weather here is way better than there! The people are also very culture oriented, which is a nice thing to see.
Are there any similarities between your country’s culture and Turkey’s?
I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, so compared to that of Saudi Arabia, the Turkish culture is very different. However, my nationality is Pakistani. So when compared to Pakistan’s culture, Turkish culture is actually very similar, especially in terms of hospitality and love of chai.
What will you miss most about Turkey/Bilkent?
I will miss my friends the most, undoubtedly. And I might actually miss the stressful university life and wish to have done more things while I was at university.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
My favorite place on campus has to be the Sports Center. After a hard day of work at the university, it’s always relaxing to visit the Sports Center. I also love the area in front of Dorm 76, especially when the weather is good.
Why Turkey?
Why not? It’s a beautiful country with an amazing history and culture. The universities are great and the people are friendly. The scholarship opportunities for international students are amazing here.
What’s your favorite Turkish food/favorite part of Turkish culture?
My favorite Turkish food is İskender. My favorite part of the Turkish culture is their patriotism and love for their country, language and culture. Their pride in being Turks is quite inspiring. Turkish culture is also well known for its hospitality, which I admire.
Where do expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
Ten years is a long time; anything is possible. However, I hope to have a well-established life. I also hope I will have traveled around the world by then.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve overcome in Turkey?
Adjusting to the workload of the university and how demanding and ruthless it is for the students (read: engineering students). The language barrier was also a big challenge, but mostly in the city. At the university almost everyone is fluent in English.
What cities have you visited in Turkey? Which one do you like the best?
I’ve visited many cities in Turkey, including Kuşadası, Fethiye, Safranbolu, Amasra, İzmir and Fethiye. I went to Fethiye with my friends during the last summers so it has to be the best, mainly because of how much fun I had there.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can do parkour, if that counts.
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 has to be “Which one are you?” Since I have a twin brother and we study in different departments, people tend to get confused. Then there are those who know and yet ask anyway; maybe they think it’s funny. It’s not.