NSLI-Y 2024 Turkey – Week 3
Selamlar!
The Bursa cohort is officially halfway through the program. After a couple weeks of settling in, the cohort approached week three with much enthusiasm for all the activities in store.
We started off with a national holiday on Monday – Democracy and National Unity Day – which meant no language classes for students. The cohort spent the day off, exploring various parts of the Bursa region with their host families. Some students packed a bag and went to Mudanya, a beach town bordering the Sea of Marmara, and others headed into smaller villages to eat, shop, and relax.
On Wednesday, after an extended day of classes, the cohort visited the Panorama 1326 Bursa Fetih Muzesi. This museum featured a fully immersive dome with paintings of the 1326 capture of the city by the Ottomans, in addition to educational materials. Students enjoyed taking pictures with their friends and host families as they learned about Bursa’s history.
Following another long day, we were paid a visit by a representative from the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul, who explained his experience as a diplomat and answered the cohort’s questions about the career. After the meeting, Peer Language Partners helped students gain a better understanding of Turkish traditions and holidays by doing a calendar activity.
As the work week came to a close on Friday afternoon, our cohort members had time to socialize and relax while bonding over barbecued kebab, grilled peppers, and other meats (thanks to Akhilesh’s host family!). The cohort even surprised Stellan with a cake for his 18th birthday.
Saturday was our fırst weekend excursıon. With exhaustion on our faces but excitement in our hearts, the cohort boarded a bus to the city of Iznik at 8:30am. Iznik is located along Iznik Lake and features a gorgeous view of turquoise waters that stretch for over 32km in length and 10km in width. The cohort had the opportunity to visit a couple Roman ruin sites that existed hundreds of years before the Ottoman Turks besieged (and later conquered) the city in 1331.
After doing some shopping and having lunch by the lake, the students channeled their inner artists with a tile painting activity. There were several design options that ranged from simple, yet elegant, olive branches to funky shapes with pops of deep blue hues.
Desperate to cool off, the cohort grabbed their sunblock and swimsuits for a swim. Our playful students had breath-holding and handstand competitions, played mermaids, and cannon-balled into the lake. In true Turkish fashion, some students lounged in the sand and on the rocks to enjoy the lakeside breeze.
This week was jam-packed with opportunities to experience Turkish culture, food, and language. We can’t wait to see how our next three weeks will unfold – so stay tuned!
Written by Stellan and Yehia.
Virginia, Tanishka, and Kate visit the beach town of Erdek in the neighboring Balıkesir province with their host families.
The cohort and some peer partners pose in the Panorama Museum.
The cohort poses for a picture with cultural attaché Marvin Alfaro (center: button-down shirt and khaki pants) from the Istanbul consulate.
Erdem (Stellan’s host brother) and Yehia’s vocabulary activity and May calendar, including both Turkish and American holidays.
The cohort pictured in the Ancient Nicaea Roman Theater as part of their old city tour of Iznik.
Robbie, Zak, Yehia, and Niko shop for gifts at the Iznik souvenir market.
Yusuf, Stellan, Yehia, and Nima meticulously craft their pieces at the tile painting shop.
Charlie showcases her finished tile, an elegant olive design.
The cohort arrives at Iznik Lake.
Left to right: Melih, Yusuf, Tanishka, Yehia, Kate, and Stellan enjoy the view at the lake.
Students and their host siblings return from Iznik. Nima (left) holds some of the mugs she bought from the local artisans.