BY SAİDA RUSTAMOVA (CTIS/IV)
Name: Anastasia Yurina
Department: Law/III
Country of Origin: Russia
University: Kutafin Moscow State Law University
What were your first impressions about Türkiye?
Actually, I was surprised! I’ve been to Türkiye 10 times before, but everything I saw was all-inclusive hotels and beaches, so I was curious to see another part of this country. I discovered that Türkiye has so much more depth and texture than I had ever imagined. I was thrilled to finally move beyond the beach and experience its true heart.
What do you like best about Bilkent and Türkiye?
Hospitable people and amazing food! I will definitely miss these two “aspects” of my life here. Turkish cuisine is something special. I can’t imagine my life without drinking çay and eating pide. Also, I can talk endlessly about the fantastic people here who took care of me from the first day of my arrival. I’ve never seen such welcoming people. I’m so thankful to Türkiye for introducing me to such amazing people.
Are there any similarities between Türkiye and your home country?
I have to start with our shared cultural obsession: Turkish series! All of us in Russia watch them regularly, and I suspect most people in Türkiye do the same. For example, we are all
huge fans of Muhteşem Yüzyıl! But on a more serious note, I think one of the most significant similarities is that both our nations strongly adhere to traditions. Of course, our specific traditions differ: yours might be centered around family gatherings for Bayram, and ours around celebrating Maslenitsa or New Year. However, the core value is the same: a deep respect for our history and a commitment to following the customs passed down through generations.
What will you miss most about Bilkent and Türkiye?
Actually, everything. I will miss cats on the streets, Turkish çay, lovely people, huge breakfasts, my travels all over Türkiye, “kolay gelsin” to people, sunny weather almost all the time, amazing campus and lots of another things. Türkiye and Turkish culture have become a part of my personality, and I will miss it when I will come back.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
Strange as it may seem, the football field! It’s such a perfect place to do sports, catch the sunsets and even take cool pictures!
What’s your favorite Turkish food and why?
As I mentioned before, I am obsessed with Turkish cuisine, and I love everything. However, my favorites
are çorba and pide. My favorite sweet is lokum.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I don’t like making predictions about my future. Life is too short to plan that far away because we even don’t know what will happen tomorrow. I prefer to trust the process and see where life takes me. I only expect one thing for my future, to create and have my own lovely family.
What’s one thing you learned from Turkish culture?
Saying “Kolay gelsin” to everyone! That was something surprising for me. I’d heard this expression in Turkish series, but I didn’t know it was so widespread.
What places have you visited in Türkiye, and which one is your favorite?
I’ve been to almost all the touristic places in Türkiye, such as Antalya, Belek, Kemer, Kaş, etc. I visited İstanbul a month ago; such an amazing city, by the way! But my favorite place is definitely Cappadocia. It’s something outstanding. I was so impressed after that trip. Absolutely breathtaking nature right next to countless cliffs, the most incredible sunrises and sunsets I’ve ever seen, and of course, hot air balloons floating all over the place.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently at Bilkent/in Türkiye?
“Rusya’dan mısın?” is the most popular question I’ve heard from people here. They
think people from Russia, especially Siberian people like me, never feel cold, so when I get cold
everyone asks me “What?! Are you cold? You are Siberian!” Yeah, we are also sometimes
getting cold:)
Describe yourself in three words.
Hardworking, confident, independent.
How is the studying experience at Bilkent?
Çok zor! When I came to Bilkent I was shocked how it’s different and difficult to study here compared to my home university. Now I feel more confident and comfortable during my classes, and I’m used to the studying system here. I started learning materials after every class and now I really like it! All the classes I am taking here are so interesting and beneficial for me and for my future.
