BY AMNA KARA (MAN/IV)
Name: Haritha Akkad
Department: Mechanical Engineering/I
Country of Origin: Syria
What do you like best about Turkey?
The food, definitely!
Are there any similarities between your country’s culture and Turkey’s?
There are plenty of similarities between Syria’s and Turkey’s food, and their natural landscapes.
What will you miss most about Turkey/Bilkent?
I will definitely miss the friends and people I have met the most.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
The hill in front of Dorm 76, because of its beautiful view.
Why Turkey?
Turkey, its people and its food gave me a very interesting vibe that I wanted to explore.
What’s your favorite Turkish food/favorite part of Turkish culture?
My favorite Turkish foods are ciğer şiş and midye.
Where do expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I expect to see myself in a place where I’m happy, surrounded by dear people and working at a job I love.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve overcome in Turkey?
Using public transportation with minimal to no knowledge of Turkish.
What cities have you visited in Turkey? Which one do you like the best?
I’ve visited several cities, including İstanbul, Bursa, and Yalova; and I’m looking forward to embarking on endless journeys to discover the rest.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I’m fluent in three languages: Arabic, English and sarcasm.
What’s a question you’re asked frequently, or the most interesting comment you’ve heard at Bilkent/in Turkey?
I’m frequently asked why I went for engineering, and frankly, I’m trying to figure that out too.