BY MAHİR HASSAN MİAN (ECON/I)
Name: Ricardo Román Brene
Department: Computer Engineering
Country of Origin: I came straight up from paradise, Costa Rica.
What do you like best about Turkey?
I would say probably kebap and Beyoğlu Zencefilli Gazoz.
Are there any similarities between Turkey and your home country?
Not many, but Turkish people and Latinos share a lot of core values regarding family, at least. Turkey is way too big and populated, whereas Costa Rica is very small.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Turkey?
The cats, for sure
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
Any place where I can relax with a coffee and pet the cats, so around the coffee shops.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and/or favorite part of Turkish culture?
I love Kuzu. In Costa Rica we don’t eat it a lot.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
Well, in 10 years I’ll be 50, so… retiring? If I’m still working, I’d like to be a researcher.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve handled in Turkey?
Deportation (don’t ask :))
What places have you visited in Turkey, and which one is your favorite?
I’ve been to a few of the cities, like İstanbul, İzmir, Çanakkale, etc. I think my favorite so far is Fethiye.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently at Bilkent/in Turkey?
They usually mistake Costa Rica for Puerto Rico, so they ask me about my “island.”
Describe yourself in three words.
Outgoing, energetic and fun