BY MAHİR HASSAN MİAN (ECON/I)
Name: Hector Jardi Toledano
Department: Economics
Country of Origin: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
What do you like best about Turkey?
The people here are extremely welcoming and kindhearted. It’s incredible how Turkish people will help you anywhere, anytime without asking for compensation. They just want you to feel at home in their country.
Are there any similarities between Turkey and your home country?
Yes, there are a lot. Culturally we are very similar, but if I must choose one specific similarity I would say it is the music. I remember the first day I arrived being surprised that both the traditional and modern music in Turkey are so similar.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Turkey?
I love that I can roll out of bed five minutes before class starts and still make it on time. It’s such a luxury compared to the 45 minutes it used to take me to get to class!
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
Bilka could be my favorite. It is perfect for studying and hanging out. During the first semester I spent more time there than in my own dormitory.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and/or favorite part of Turkish culture?
Without a doubt I would choose the traditional Turkish breakfast. It is simply perfect, everything you need in one breakfast and more. Culturally, I love that different civilizations have lived here through the centuries and that the country is filled with ancient ruins.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
In 10 years, I hope to have visited every continent and to have had some truly epic adventures along the way. Maybe I’ll even have started my own travel blog!
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve handled in Turkey?
Learning Turkish has been a challenge, but I’ve found that immersing myself in the language as much as possible has been helpful. I listen to Turkish music, watch Turkish TV shows and practice speaking with my Turkish friends as much as possible.
What places have you visited in Turkey, and which one is your favorite?
Actually, I have travelled a lot. I still have to visit the Black Sea region, Konya and the East. But I have visited everywhere else. I still can’t get over Fethiye, it was such a special trip for me. I hiked alone and slept in the wild. Such an amazing experience.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently at Bilkent/in Turkey?
“What are you doing here? Why did you choose Ankara after living in Barcelona?”
Describe yourself in three words.
Adventurous, Interesting, Funny
