Name: Anastasia Denisenko
Department: COMD/II
Country of Origin: Russia
What were your first impressions about Türkiye?
Unlike many other Russians, I didn’t get my first taste of Türkiye on a casual vacation in an all-inclusive hotel in Antalya. In fact, I first came here as an exchange student in 2021. I remember taking a taxi from the airport to ODTÜ Campus where my Erasmus+ programme took place. The city seemed all beige and full of mosques—it was an unusual landscape that I couldn’t see back home.
What do you like best about Bilkent and Türkiye?
In Türkiye, I can quickly switch between my routine in the big city to the relaxed mode of resting at some resort on the coast. To compare, in Russia, the largest country in the world, it is not so easy to travel domestically and spontaneously go to the seaside for a weekend.
Are there any similarities between Türkiye and your home country?
Both Russia and Türkiye are kind of bridges from the East to the West in terms of location and culture. We share similar values, such as family, traditions and so on.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Türkiye?
I will probably miss the routine I’ve built here. In contrast to my life back in Moscow, I take my time in Ankara, enjoying the benefits of slow living.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
The area around the football field, which is full of colorful flowers in the spring. For me, it is a beautifully melancholic place.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and why?
I like kazandibi because it is not too sweet and tastes somewhat “milky.” Among the main courses I would opt for lahmacun, simple and delicious.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I hope to find myself in a similar situation, living a balanced, happy life with no rush.
What’s one thing you learned from Turkish culture?
It may sound like a cliché, but the locals are really helpful. Even those who can’t speak English were willing to help me navigate.
What places have you visited in Türkiye, and which one is your favorite?
It is easier to tell which places I haven’t visited. I’ve been to the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts, İstanbul and central Türkiye. Among all the places I have the chance to see, Muğla is my favorite. I love its tiny white houses on the hills, cobblestone streets and Pinterest-like atmosphere.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently at Bilkent/in Türkiye?
I often hear that it’s hard to study at Bilkent. I think the programme here is actually quite light, compared to the one I had in Russia where students would take up to 15 courses each semester, most of which were mandatory.
Describe yourself in three words.
Cheerful, energetic, romantic.
How is the studying experience at Bilkent?
Due to a flexible programme, I manage to maintain a work-life balance here. I love this beautiful harmony of studying, socializing and exploring new destinations.
