BY MAHİR HASSAN MİAN (ECON/II)
Name: Tasneem Hamed
Department: Tourism and Hotel Management
Country of Origin: Palestine/Lebanon
What were your first impressions about Türkiye?
I came here in 2016 when I was about 11. It was scary coming here at that age, not knowing the language or anyone. It was difficult to adapt.
What do you like best about Bilkent and Türkiye?
For Turkey, I like the nature and hospitality. For Bilkent, I like the social life and the campus.
Are there any similarities between Türkiye and your home country?
There are a lot of similarities. For starters, the languages. There are a lot of similar words in Turkish and Arabic. The people are very welcoming, nice and hospitable. The cultural traditions are similar as well.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Türkiye?
The people that I’ve met here. Those friendships are very valuable and memorable for me as they’ve helped me become the person I am today.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
The library quiet area and Bilka hill—I like the view up there because you can see the city.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and why?
I like kebab, mantı, kısır and çiğköfte. All of them have a unique taste.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
Hopefully having a successful career in the tourism industry. I want to be travelling and living a comfortable life with my own family.
What’s one thing you learned from Turkish culture?
The way they treat their guests in their homes. They give them cologne and constantly pamper them with tea.
What places have you visited in Türkiye, and which one is your favorite?
This is going to take a while. Ok, İstanbul, Cappadocia, Eskişehir, Antalya, Bodrum, Marmaris and Bursa. That’s it. My favorite is a small municipality in Antalya called Kalkan.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently at Bilkent/in Türkiye?
“You aren’t Turkish?” and, “Why did I choose my major?” I hear these a lot.
Describe yourself in three words.
Optimistic, calm and cautious.
How is the studying experience at Bilkent?
Sometimes it gets very challenging, but you come to realize that whatever you learn is very valuable.
