BY SAİDA RUSTAMOVA (CTIS/IV)
Name: Sebrin Yusubova
Department: IAED/III
Country of Origin: Azerbaijan
What were your first impressions about Türkiye?
My first impression was that people were friendly and helpful, and the culture felt warm and
familiar. I immediately loved the atmosphere on campus as it felt welcoming and lively. It didn’t
take long to feel comfortable here.
What do you like best about Bilkent and Türkiye?
I love my faculty and the whole Fine Arts environment. The campus, my
dorm and especially the people made my experience here special. I’ve built great friendships and met kind, interesting people from different places.
Are there any similarities between Türkiye and your home country?
I’m from Azerbaijan, and I live in Baku. The language and culture feel familiar here—there are many similarities, so I felt comfortable and welcomed.
What will you miss most about Bilkent/Türkiye?
I will definitely miss my friends and some specific places on campus that became part of my daily routine. There are memories everywhere here.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
My favorite spot is Starbucks in FC Building—I spent a lot of time there relaxing, studying or meeting friends. I also love spending time around the Fine Arts department area; it’s full of
creativity and ideas.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and why?
My favorite food is lahmacun, and I also really like mevsim salad.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
In the future, I see myself working as an interior architect somewhere in Europe. I want to design spaces, work with people and bring ideas to life. It’s exciting to think about how this experience will shape my career.
What’s one thing you learned from Turkish culture?
I learned that people here really love cats and Turkish coffee. Cats are everywhere—and Turkish coffee culture is definitely strong.
What places have you visited in Türkiye, and which one is your favorite?
I’ve visited several beautiful places in Türkiye, including İstanbul, Bodrum, Marmaris and Antalya. My spot in Ankara is the Museum of Art—it was truly inspiring and filled with stunning details. The whole experience was lovely, and each place had its own unique charm.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently at Bilkent/in Türkiye?
The question I hear most often is, “Is it hard to study at Bilkent, or in Türkiye in general?”
Describe yourself in three words.
Chill, kind, caring.
How is the studying experience at Bilkent?
My experience has been great. I truly enjoy my field, even when it gets challenging. I love what I’m doing, and campus life makes everything more interesting and full of energy.