NSLI-Y Turkey 2022 – Week 1
Week One: Introductions
From DC to Bursa, the first week of the program was an almost non-stop series of introductions and excitement. Students arrived in DC on June 23 from all across the US to prepare for their 6 weeks in Turkey, and from landing to takeoff, they had a busy schedule of orientations and conversations about what life in their new host country would be like. From basics like staying safe and getting around, to cultural norms around family time and food, our students showed a keen interest in being as prepared as possible for their adventure as citizen ambassadors. By Friday we were on an overnight plane to Istanbul: 9 and a half hours non-stop. Students had a hard time sleeping due to their excitement. After nearly a year of applications and planning, we were finally on our way!
We were welcomed to Istanbul by beautiful weather and the smiling faces of our Turkish partner organization. The cool summer temperature made the trip to the hotel in Kağıthane a breeze, though from the drowsy looks and nodding heads at our brief in-country orientation, it was clear everyone was ready for a good night’s sleep. Sunday was going to be a busy day: a morning tour of Istanbul followed by a 3 hour trip to Bursa and – finally! – meeting with the host families.
Our tour guide Özcem met us at the hotel the next morning for the quick trip to the historic city center. The students lucked out again with very little traffic on the way. The first sights of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus are always breathtaking, as the centuries-old city skyline breaks through the monotony of concrete flats. One could easily spend a lifetime in the city and not know all of its secrets. With only a few hours before our journey to Bursa, we didn’t waste a single minute. Özcem guided us through the Ayasofya, Sultanahmet Square, Şerefiye Cistern, Rüstem Pasha mosque, and the Spice Bazaar, with only a brief pause in between for lunch. Students were treated to complimentary tea and lokum (aka Turkish delight) at the spice bazaar, which was topped off with ice cream and a quick view from the Galata Bride before boarding the fast ferry for Bursa. Fast ferry may be a bit of a misnomer. The boat ride across the Marmara takes about an hour and a half, enough time for students to catch their breath after a whirlwind tour and to wonder about their host families waiting on the other side: Will I get along with my host sibling? Will they like my gifts? Will they like me? Will we even be able to understand each other?
When we arrived at the restaurant in Bursa for our welcome dinner with the host families, any concerns the students might have had melted away like pişmaniye* in hot coffee. The host families were impatient to greet their new American additions, and though their levels of English varied, the smiles in the room needed no translation. After dinner and dessert, the students and families departed one-by-one to begin settling in.
The following days were no less busy. Students arrived at the language center early the next morning for a language diagnostic and the classes began almost immediately afterwards. Activities during the first week included a tour of some of the famous sites of Bursa, language practice with their peers, and a cooking class at a local culinary school where students learned to make two ubiquitous Turkish dishes. By their first weekend in Bursa, everyone was ready for some down time and a chance to recharge their batteries for another busy week!
*Pişmaniye is a traditional Turkish sweet made by blending flour roasted in butter into pulled sugar. The consistency is akin to cotton candy.
Noura and Sachleen bask in the sun on line for the Ayasofya.
Özcem guides Evan and others through a very crowded Ayasofya.
Lucia and Noura listen to the guide outside Rüstem Pasha mosque, famous for its beautiful tile work.
Chelsea sits with her host family at the welcome dinner.
Justin and family pose at the welcome dinner.
Students take a diagnostic test on the first day of language school.
Host brother Burak and Greg play a game of chess before classes.
Some students and host sisters pose outside the Green Mosque on the Bursa city tour.
Students get to know the language partners during a game in the park.
Sophia and Freya give a thumbs up for the cooking class.
Local coordinator Kemal helps set out the student-made sütlaç.
Students pose with their culinary instructors at the end of a long week (not pictured: Ameya).