BY AMNA KARA (MAN/IV)
Name: Mubashira Khatri
Department: IR/III
Country of Origin: Pakistan
What do you like best about Turkey?
It’s easy to get good discounts when you say “Türkçe bilmiyorum, çok pahalı, para yok, lütfen,” all in one sentence. Another of the best things about Turkish people is that when I tell them I’m from Pakistan, they say “Jeevay Pakistan” in their reply. I feel so happy, they’re so cute!
Are there any similarities between your country’s culture and Turkey’s?
Yes, a lot of similarities. The best one is the sound of the ezan in every mosque five times a day! I’m so glad to be living in a Muslim country. Feels like home! Love the beautiful mosques here.
What will you miss most about Turkey/Bilkent?
Well, there are a lot of things about Bilkent that I’ll miss: the all-nighters during exams, snowball fights, movie nights and free pizzas, trips and most importantly the free Bilkent transportation to the city. We are blessed to have free bus transportation every hour.
But the thing I’ll miss most about Turkey will most definitely be saying “Türkçe bilmiyorum.”
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
My favorite place on campus is the gym, it gives me hope. Another favorite place is the bus stop; can’t wait to go home and sleep!
Why Turkey?
Destiny. I applied to a lot of different universities in different countries, but only Turkey seemed affordable, so I had no other options left. And I most definitely do not regret this.
What’s your favorite Turkish food/favorite part of Turkish culture?
For me food is holy, it gives color to my life, and that’s why I love kumpir – it’s huge, colorful and filled with everything: potato, chicken, tuna, corn, sauce and what not. It’s so full of life!!
Where do expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
Some place where I’m needed and can help in making poor people’s lives easier!
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve overcome in Turkey?
I’ve learned to cut up and clean an entire chicken!
What cities have you visited in Turkey? Which one do you like the best?
I’ve visited Eskişehir, Antalya, İzmir, Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Samsun, Fethiye, Side and Konya. Well, the best is yet to be visited – I still haven’t been to İstanbul!
Do you have any hidden talents?
I think they’re still hidden.
What’s a question you’re asked frequently, or the most interesting comment you’ve heard at Bilkent/in Turkey?
The most frequent/interesting comment I hear is that I talk a lot, especially when I go to Bilka café on campus and the Bilka guy comes up to me every time just to say “Çok konuşuyorsun” followed by “Lütfen sessiz.”