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Introduction: In the fall semester of 2002, I studied Mechanical Engineering at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey. Turkey is a fascinating country that lies both in Europe and in Asia, and has historical and contemporary ties to both continents. Turkey has a rich history, with settlements from 13 civilizations spanning 10,000 years. Today the Republic of Turkey is struggling to find its place between its long history, filled with traditions, and the dreams of the modern, European state it hopes to become. Education: I came to the university to study engineering at a world-class university abroad, and found the university to be structured much like American universities. The Mechanical Engineering Department at METU was even evaluated by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), and found to be "substantially equivalent to similarly titled accredited programs in the US". I enrolled in three engineering classes to fulfill requirements for specific courses and electives. In addition to engineering classes, I had the opportunity to take classes in the subjects of Turkish language, culture, and politics. The courses were similar to American engineering courses, and the students were much like students in any other country, but I noticed the effect of cultural differences on occasion. The lectures were held in 1-2 hour blocks, with breaks in the middle of the longer classes to allow time for students and professors to have tea or cigarettes. When winter began and the temperatures dropped below freezing, the students all wore sweaters, but continued to open the classroom windows frequently for fresh air. The language of instruction at the university was English, but the professors still frequently held discussions in Turkish, and gave administrative information (for example, canceling the next class period, or announcing exam dates) in Turkish. Students almost always asked questions in Turkish, and socialized in Turkish. Foreign students were expected to learn the language immediately. Culture: In general, the attitudes of the students seemed conservative. They listened almost exclusively to western pop music, and dressed like European youth, but the modern mind-set was not quite there. Some parts of the Turkish culture reminded me of what I think the United States would have resembled in the 1950's. Boys and girls remained separate, dormitories were strictly segregated by sex, and rules were well enforced. Visitors of the opposite sex were not allowed in the dormitories, and dormitory curfews prevented late-night trouble off-campus. The mentality in the country overall was the same, a woman traveling alone was not expected to sit next to a strange man on the bus. The other female exchange students and I noticed that men were frequently harassing us, probably because they knew we were foreign, and maybe because movies portray western women as "different". The students at METU also seemed closer to their families than I was accustomed to seeing. The students did not work part-time jobs to pay for their education, and seemed to be taken care of financially and otherwise, by their families. They had fewer responsibilities than many US students would, and were able to concentrate more on their studies. They also worried more about their studies. The students studied day and night, at all hours, and weekends were no different than weekdays. Success in college meant more, and students spoke of getting graduate degrees from American universities, because it was very difficult to get jobs in their fields otherwise. There was a large difference between people in cities and people in villages. In the cities, people dressed very western, and the streets of Ankara or Istanbul looked similar to the streets of any European city. Many people idolized American culture, and frequented American fast-food restaurants, wore American clothes, watched American movies, and listened to American music. Their view of America was not accurate, because the music and movies portray a glamorized picture of the land and people. I was asked questions like "Is everyone in your country beautiful?" and "Is everyone rich?" I think that if a lot of people traveled to the United States, they would be disappointed. There was also a group of people who were cynical of American culture. When a McDonald's restaurant opened on campus, students boycotted, protested, and eventually shut the place down. For centuries, Turkey has been trying to modernize, but the big question remains, does the country have to become western in order to become modern? Do the traditions and unique aspects of the culture have to be lost? The question has not yet been answered, and the country's politics and culture reflect the dilemma. Benefits: I learned a tremendous amount about eastern philosophies and the influence of Islam on the culture and politics of the region. And being a civilized land for so many years, modernization changes are sometimes hampered by thousands of years of history and precedents. While spending time in a different culture, I learned more about my own country. I was able to see how the United States was viewed in international politics and the influence of American culture on the youth. While I was in Turkey, I saw the push for a war with Iraq, and the perspectives of the neighbors. I had discussions with Turkish students, European students, and Middle Eastern students. They talked about worries from the Persian Gulf War of the early 1990's and they expressed concerns for a possible war in the future. Although about 80% of the country opposed a war with Iraq, Turkey had no choice but to support their strongest ally. I was there when the dormitory posted signs leading to the bomb shelter. War means something a little different when you are closer to the action. My experiences have changed the way I look at international politics, and other cultures. In my career, I think I will be better able to understand other cultures and markets, and deal with differences in a more understanding way. Experiencing the confusion and alienation of being a foreigner in another land brought me closer to other foreigners who I might not have had much in common with otherwise. I also became used to being a spectacle. I usually appeared foreign, and even if it wasn't obvious, as soon as I opened my mouth it was obvious. I became less concerned with what people think, and I got to know myself better. Being away from everything I had grown accustomed to over a lifetime, I was able to step away and look my life from a distance. I became clearer on my priorities in life, and the value of what I had waiting for me at home. Conclusion: It is impossible to adequately explain in words everything I observed, and what I have gained from the experience. Most importantly, the experience has given me a broader base from which to evaluate the world. I enjoyed my experience, and I recommend that other students travel to Turkey.
Molly M. Mitten, Fall 2002
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