Name: Fatima Vazirova
Department: IR/I
Country of Origin: Azerbaijan
What were your first impressions about Türkiye?
I moved to Türkiye with my family two to three months before I joined Bilkent. My first impression, from İzmir, was of good weather and a crystal-clear turquoise sea where you could see the base of the Aegean. I really liked how the people were so chill and laid back. People actually living their lives. My first impression of Bilkent was of its nature, it felt like a forest. It’s untouched and beautiful.
What do you like best about Bilkent and Türkiye?
I like the variety of sports. One day you can play tennis or squash, another day you can do something calm, like yoga.
Are there any similarities between Türkiye and your home country?
I like that the languages are similar, so I don’t face a big language barrier. What I really love is having a similar cuisine, dishes like dolma and pilav that remind me of home.
What will you miss most about Bilkent and Türkiye?
I will miss the people and the friends I have made here. I see them almost every day, but I don’t know how this will work when we’re far away.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
My favorite place is the A buildings’ couches and the yard. I especially like the hammocks outside.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and why?
My favorite Turkish food is balık ekmek. I love its fresh, slightly salty flavor, especially when mixed with nar ekşisi (pomegranate sause). The combination creates this perfect balance of salty and sour-sweet taste that I really like.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I am a simple person with simple needs.
I see myself somewhere where I belong and feel happy.
What’s one thing you learned from Turkish culture?
I think it’s the hospitality and kindness. Especially the way Özlem Hocam, my Turkish teacher, cares about me even when I face the slightest inconvenience or motivates me when I’m feeling low. I have learned to be a better person through experiencing this kindness from others.
What places have you visited in Türkiye, and which one is your favorite?
I have been to İstanbul, Antalya, Bursa and İzmir. I think my favorite place is İzmir. I like the seaside there and how transparent the sea is. I love it more so because I get to see my family.))
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently at Bilkent/in Türkiye?
“Yaxşısan?,” “Bilkent çok zor,” “How did your midterms go?,” “Are you the one that speaks Russian in class?”
Describe yourself in three words.
Determined, curious, spontaneous.
How is the studying experience at Bilkent?
It’s not bad. If you study consistently, it’s manageable. If you just read with your eyes, it’s hard, but if you engage with your mind and truly understand the material, I think it becomes much easier.