BY AMNA KARA (MAN/IV)
Name: Naomi Taylor
Department: English Literature/Erasmus
Country: United Kingdom
What do you like best about Turkey?
The fact that it was completely unlike my expectations.
Are there any similarities between your country’s culture and Turkey’s?
Actually, not so many. In some ways, Turkish culture is more conservative, but in others people are more friendly and less likely to hold back.
What will you miss most about Turkey?
The diversity of the country and the super people.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
The hill outside 76/Bilka, because you always have a view of the city, and you can chill there when it’s nice weather and probably bump into several people you know.
Why Turkey?
I chose here because it was on the list of Erasmus countries, but I thought it would be different from the other places such as Germany or France, and it has been. It was also somewhere new, so why not?
What’s your favorite Turkish food/favorite part of Turkish culture?
I tried tirit the other day, which was nice; I love çiğ köfte and, obviously, çay – that’s about the only British stereotype I live up to. As for culture, we went to a Turkish night not so long ago where they showed off all the regional dances, and that was cool.
Where do expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I think you should never say never, since I have no definite plans, but I would like to live abroad, in a Spanish-speaking country. I hope that I’ll have the conventional things too, like an income and a plan….
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve overcome in Turkey?
The hardest challenge I’ve overcome in Turkey is negotiating the language barrier and trying to sort out paperwork! They sound like boring things, but the hard part is having relentless optimism when you make mistakes.
What cities have you visited in Turkey? Which one do you like the best?
Istanbul, Cappadocia (not a city, I know) and Konya; I wish there were more but I’m terrible at planning. I loved Cappadocia because of the iconic landscape and getting to see the caves from 4,000 years ago – that’s sooooo long ago it’s crazy.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I would love to say yes, but sadly….
How about, I can sign the Colombian national anthem in sign language? That’s about it.
What’s a question you’re asked frequently, or the most interesting comment you’ve heard at Bilkent/in Turkey?
The question I’m most frequently asked is, “Why did you choose to come here?”!