BY EHSAN SHAREEF (CTIS/II)
Name: Amelia Rosiak
Department: IR Erasmus+
University: University of Warsaw
Country of Origin: Poland
What were your first impressions about Türkiye?
I had been to Türkiye twice before for summer holidays in Bodrum and Marmaris, staying in all‑inclusive hotels, so that was a totally different, sunny vacation world. This time, when I landed in Ankara and took the shuttle bus to campus, the first thing that caught my eyes were the skyscrapers at sunset. I suddenly felt like I was back in Warsaw, happy and calm, as if Ankara was my second Warsaw. When I got my key and went up to my room, it was already dark, and when I looked out of the window, I saw the whole skyline full of tiny lights. That view was what I was most excited and curious about, and in that moment I felt amazed and fascinated, with my face looking like the heart‑eyes emoji.
What do you like best about Bilkent and Türkiye?
At Bilkent, I love that everything is here on campus. If I have classes from morning till afternoon, I can still eat, do my errands and see my friends without leaving the hill. That makes daily life simple and cozy. In Türkiye, what I like most is how diverse the country is, especially in nature and the cities; the way Ankara looks and feels is very different from a place like Antalya, and moving between regions is almost like travelling between countries while staying in one.
Are there any similarities between Türkiye and your home country?
Yes, I see a strong similarity in the people. I like to compare Warsaw people with Ankara people; in both city centers, people walk fast and focus on themselves, hurrying to school, university or work. But if you stop someone and ask for help, they will usually stop, try to understand you even if they do not speak English, give you directions and then slip back into their own life. On top of that, the tall skyscrapers in Ankara, especially at sunset, remind me of Warsaw and make the two cities feel even closer in my mind.
What will you miss most about Bilkent and Türkiye?
Instead of thinking about myself in an airplane seat, I picture myself back on Warsaw public transportation. Here at Bilkent, I can wake up just half an hour before class, get ready, leave the dorm and walk to my faculty building in under ten minutes; my record time is six minutes when I really hurry. In Warsaw, I spend about forty‑five minutes in the morning and another forty‑five in the afternoon going from home to university and back, so I will truly miss the short, simple walk to class here.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
My favorite place is the yemekhane, the main campus Table D’hote cafeteria. The portions are big, the food is cheap and I do not have to worry about planning or checking if the meals are nutritious, especially because I am not a very picky eater. It is also the place where I always see my friends; all the gossip, news and life updates seem to pass across those tables.
What’s your favorite Turkish food and why?
My favorite Turkish food is mantı. I love it because it reminds me of Polish pierogi, our dumplings, and I even got the chance to make mantı myself. A Turkish friend invited me over, and we made mantı, and with the same mantı dough we also made pierogi.
Where do you expect to see yourself 10 years from now?
I expect to see myself working in the Erasmus+ program, which is something I am already involved in now. My final goal is to work in an NGO, preferably in YoWo Poland, organizing youth exchanges and training courses. I want to show young people the opportunities the European Union offers them and open the world of other cultures so they can feel Polish, Spanish, Turkish and also European at the same time, understanding that our countries are very different yet also super similar.
What’s one thing you learned from Turkish culture?
It is more from Bilkent culture: not to give up. Here, many mini crises pop up and all the tasks and deadlines pile on top of each other, but that pressure is making me grow up a lot. I have been here a little more than three months, and the personal growth is crazy, both academically and, even more, personally. I feel way more mature: I still smile, stay extroverted, talk to people and stay curious about the world, but I have become much more self‑conscious in a good way, knowing what I want, which goals I want to reach, which mountains I want to conquer and what my purpose in life is.
What places have you visited in Türkiye, and which one is your favorite?
I love travelling, and in Türkiye I have been to Bodrum, Marmaris, Antalya, Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Konya, Cappadocia, the colorful mountains near Ankara, Beypazarı, Eskişehir, İzmir and Ephesus. I have also been on three archaeological trips organized by the archaeology department. I still have to visit Istanbul. My favorite place is Ölüdeniz with its Blue Lagoon; I have never seen such beautiful, clear water anywhere, and I even went paragliding there, which made it even more special.
What’s an interesting question or comment you hear frequently at Bilkent/in Türkiye?
A question I often hear is: “Why did you choose Türkiye for your Erasmus when you study European Studies? Why not Brussels?” My answer is that I have already travelled a lot inside the EU, and I wanted to go somewhere more “exotic”. I really wanted to experience some culture shocks—like watching people cross on a red light.
Describe yourself in three words.
Sunshine, kind, change-maker.
How is the studying experience at Bilkent?
Studying at Bilkent is more difficult than at my home university, especially in my master’s courses. I am taking three courses from the master’s level and three from the bachelor’s level; the bachelor’s courses feel very similar to what I take back home, but the master’s courses are on another level. In them, students are the discussion and seminar leaders: we read a lot, and then, instead of just listening to a professor’s lecture, we dicuss the readings together with the professor. This makes it intensive and enriching at the same time.