A World Observer:
Preparing to come home

It’s interesting for me to think that the semester is winding down at both of my universities: the one in Lawrenceville, and the other in Ankara, Turkey. Perhaps it’s cliché to mention this, but time flies fast enough to leave us all in the dust.

I began my study abroad adventure at Bilkent University in the compact Turkish capital of Ankara just a few months ago. I was filled with the anxiety of starting classes and navigating unfamiliar surroundings, while being sincerely happy to be in a new environment. Also, I remember promising myself to make the best of my stay here, knowing that my return was not too far away. Feeling like the “new kid” at school was greatly reminiscent of when I first started at Rider. However, it passed quickly and here I am reflecting on it all.

No one is immune to the passage of time. We may sleep at night, but time doesn’t. In high school, one of my teachers told me that everyone is given the same number of hours each day and that what we make of it is up to us. These wise words registered but did not start resonating with me until after starting college life. With my limited, but increasing experience, I am merely beginning to really understand what I was told. To speak for myself, I am very pleased with having spent the past few months of my life studying abroad.

Meeting people from all over the world and being exposed to the Turkish education system, which I was immensely curious about, have both been challenging, yet fully worthwhile. Also, while I did not travel as much as the other “international” students, I spent several memorable days in Istanbul – an enchanting world in itself and the only city in the world located on two continents (Europe and Asia). In fact, my Istanbul trip was so absorbing and tiring that I have been content with staying put for the most part.

It’s been interesting to be a member of the Bilkent student body as well. As on Rider’s campus, there is great diversity among students. To say the least, I will sorely miss people-watching at Bilkent.

As I am set to return to the United States in January, I will miss certain things that I enjoy here, like the warm culture, the excellent food, the various types of music and the unusually temperate winter. Ankara is more or less located on the same line of latitude as Lawrenceville, yet winter is actually pleasant for now, which is uncharacteristic of this Turkish city. I’m sure I’ll miss the times when I sat outdoors in the cafes on campus, sipping steaming tea while reading something or conversing with a friend.

Given that this is my last contribution to The Rider News from Ankara, I must emphasize a final time how great it has been to study abroad. I am forever grateful to the Study Abroad office for making everything possible. The globe is smaller than it has ever been and, especially for those who are interested, experiencing our world is within reach.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or are curious about anything related to Yakin’s semester at Bilkent University, please feel free to contact him at yakin@rider.edu.

— Baris Yakin