Name: Ansar Myrzagerey
Department: CS/IV
Country of Origin: Kazakhstan
What were your first impressions about Türkiye?
When I first arrived, the weather immediately stood out. It felt comfortable and warm. Prices
were very affordable back then, which made life easy. The hospitality impressed me the most.
People were open and welcoming from the start.
What do you like best about Bilkent and Türkiye?
Bilkent feels like a complete environment. The campus is large, and everything you need is inside it. Cafeterias, sports centers and study areas are all close to each other. It makes daily life smooth and convenient.
Are there any similarities between Türkiye and your home country?
Both countries share a similar sense of hospitality. People in Türkiye and Kazakhstan have a natural way of welcoming others, and that made me feel at home.
What will you miss most about Bilkent and Türkiye?
I will miss my friends and the student life here. These moments only happen once in your life, and they are what stay with you.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
My favorite place is Bilka hill. It has a wide view of the city. In the evenings it is calm, and it is a good place to sit and think.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and why?
Kebap. Simple and perfect.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I hope to be travelling around the world. I want to see different places and share those experiences with others.
What’s one thing you learned from Turkish culture?
I feel like their way of speaking has integrated into my own speech to the point that I use some phrases even when speaking Kazakh/Russian.
What places have you visited in Türkiye, and which one is your favorite?
I have been to İstanbul, İzmir, Amasra, Kayseri, Bodrum, Fethiye, Selçuk, Kuşadası, Antalya, Samandere and Eskişehir. My favorite is Fethiye. The beach, the mountains and the atmosphere made it a place where I had a great time.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently at Bilkent/in Türkiye?
The question I get the most is about my race. People often ask if I am Japanese, Chinese or Korean.
Describe yourself in three words.
Punctual, cheerful, curious.
How is the studying experience at Bilkent?
Studying at Bilkent is complex and demanding, but it pushes you to improve. The academic environment is strict, but the experience is worth it in the end.
