NSLI-Y 2024 Turkey – Week 2
Merhabalar from Bursa!
It has been a busy week for the NSLI-Y cohort in Türkiye. We kicked off this amazing week with a tour of the Silk Production and Design Center, where the NSLI-Y students were able to watch part of the silk-making process. The students were also able to shop around inside the gift shop and purchase items made of pure silk. After the silk workshop, the NSLI-Y cohort also took a brief tour of the nearby Car Museum.
The cohort had free time to explore other parts of Bursa on their own with either friends from the cohort or their host siblings. Students enjoyed shopping through Bursa’s Bazar, sitting in local cafes, and drinking traditional Turkish coffee and tea.
We have also had the opportunity to expand more of what we are learning in class in our peer language sessions. We took turns attempting new conversations in Turkish with each other’s host siblings, had our own host siblings help us in an activity where we drew and described our daily routines, and finally, we rounded off the time with a charades game in Turkish with our classmates and host siblings.
Students were also given the opportunity to watch the whirling dervishes, who performed an old traditional dance which has deep cultural significance in Türkiye. Though this activity was optional, many of the students attended with their host families.
We finished off the week with a visit to Tophane Park. The students were able to visit the tombs of important Ottoman figures, catch a glimpse of the beautiful view of Bursa, and explore local shops in the surrounding Balibey Han.
This weekend will be a long one, as Monday we are all off for Democracy and National Unity Day. Some are using this time to go to the beach with their host families, explore other parts of Türkiye, or use the extra time for some much needed rest before another fun and insightful week. Next week will be a busy one, and we look forward to updating you on all our upcoming activities!
Written by Robbie.
Niko participates in a hands-on learning experience about the production of silk.
Kate, Yusuf, and Niko explore the local Car Museum.
Students practice verb conjugations with their Peer Language Partners.
Kate presents her daily routine.
The cohort witnesses the whirling dervishes.
The cohort visits the Tophane Gardens and poses with historic cannons.