NSLI-Y 2024 Turkey – Week 4
Merhabalar from Bursa!
This week was filled with a lot of fun activities for the NSLI-Y cohort in Türkiye. We started off with a visit to the Cumalıkızık village, where students were able to learn about the historical significance of the village by observing the architecture of buildings dating back to the Ottoman Empire. The students were also given time to shop in the village’s local artisan and honey shops.
On Wednesday, students celebrated cohort member Kate’s birthday party. It was a great time for host siblings and host students to get to know each other further. The party was Minions-themed so guests were welcome to dress up as any character from the Despicable Me film series.
On Thursday, the cohort went to Kültürpark for our weekly Peer Language Partner activities. American students were assigned Turkish language partners, and together they created family trees to represent their extended families. Later, each person presented their family trees to the rest of the cohort, practicing possessive grammar rules they had learned in class.
To close out the week, the cohort took a trip to explore the craft of ebru, or paper marbling, which dates back to the Ottoman Empire. This craft utilizes extract colors from natural pigments and drops of ox-gall. Artists sprinkle the paint in the liquid and then use different colors to make designs. Following that they use a tool to make different shapes and designs, such as hearts and flowers. Lastly, they transfer the beautiful design to paper, creating a lasting image. Students were excited to try out the ebru process and take home their own unique artwork.
With just two weeks left, the cohort is looking forward to enjoying our remaining cultural activities. Next up: cooking and puppetry!
Written by Nima, Nitya, and Virginia.
The cohort stands in front of the famous tree in Cumalıkızık.
The cohort listening to and learning about the history of Cumalıkızık.
The cohort at Kate’s Minions-themed birthday party.
Playing the game “Telephone” in Turkish at Kültürpark.
Kate, Zak, Mehmet, and Mustafa work together to create family trees for their respective families.
Students presenting family trees to the rest of the cohort in Turkish.
The cohort comes together for the ebru workshop.
Students create their own ebru artwork.