BY EHSAN SHAREEF (CTIS/II)
Name: Muhammad Moeez Jamali
Department: MAN/I
Country of Origin: Pakistan
What were your first impressions about Türkiye?
I expected Ankara to be as chaotic as İstanbul, but Ankara was quite the contrary. The Ankara airport was really empty, and the person sitting next to me on the plane was from Bilkent. If I hadn’t met Awais, I would have felt way more lost. The city felt peaceful and nice with beautiful mosques everywhere. The overall first experience: smooth as butter.
What do you like best about Bilkent and Türkiye?
The peace and serenity on campus, especially at night with music in my ears and a cold breeze rushing through my cheeks. A walk after eight is such an enjoyable experience. Another favorite time is when the sun is setting. The people here are really humble. Everyone understands English well, but sometimes I wish I knew Turkish better. I’m working on it.
Are there any similarities between Türkiye and your home country?
Recently, I figured out that a friend in my economics class was into Turkish poetry, and I’m into Urdu poetry. Both poetries are equally profound and carry deep meaning. There are lots of words which are common like “ishq”–“aşk” and “hayat.” This was an eye-opening discussion for me, and I realized we share the same poetic spirit of Iqbal and Rumi.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Türkiye?
I’ll miss the people I’ve met here. I’ll miss the day-to-day things like the particular phrases my teachers use to wish us well in class and how every class has a separate vibe. The small, everyday things—like bumping heads together, making unspoken eye contact on surprise quiz announcements and laughing internally in disbelief that we are going to do equally bad—I’ll cherish these for a long time.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
My favorite place, without a doubt, is “yatak” in my dorm. Jokes aside, when I’m coming back from classes late in the evening, the sunset view from a secret viewpoint right around Dorm 54 is unbeatable. Very few people know about this gem that overlooks the city through a cliff’s edge. People around Dorm 60, take note.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and why?
Turkish breakfast, without a doubt. It has so many types of cheese, olives, breads, eggs and butter. I could make anyone try it, and the variety would cover everyone’s taste. As someone who’s selective about food, I love the unique blend—it’s different from home.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I want to start my own entrepreneurial endeavor, making the world a better place—something that benefits broader society.
What’s one thing you learned from Turkish culture?
The close, intimate head hug when you’re meeting someone or leaving a conversation. These small things make friendships stronger. Other small gestures, like saying “afiyet olsun,” “geçmiş olsun” make the bonds intimate and beautiful.
What places have you visited in Türkiye, and which one is your favorite?
I’ve been here for around two months. Of the places I got to visit, including Ankara Castle and a few museums, I still find walking around Tunus my favorite, especially with the very convenient Bilkent buses.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently at Bilkent/in Türkiye?
“You’re a management student—your life must be so chill.” I wish.
Describe yourself in three words.
Inquisitive, leader, engaging.
How is the studying experience at Bilkent?
The professors have an immense amount of knowledge—they really know their stuff. I like how they’re involved in the field and how Lale Tomruk Hoca and Arda Gitmez Hoca relate concepts to case studies and personal anecdotes outside the books. I find it especially insightful.