Hi there! (Or rather, Assalamalaikum!)
Allow me to bring you up to speed. Approximately 4 years ago, in 2012, my older brother came to Turkey and joined Bilkent University to become the 2nd Pakistani undergrad of his year. I myself was still finishing high school back in Pakistan and applying to universities within Turkey to get acceptances as fast as possible; time passed and lo and behold, I was accepted into Bilkent as well and there was much joy to be had in the Hyat household for both brothers would be in the same university together! I remember having TWO daunting thoughts in mind at the time: "How am I going to find my place in a patriotic Turkish society and how will I get used to the food?!" I should add that my parents had been to Turkey twice before my acceptance letter's arrival and had said that the Turkish were extremely fond of their language and culture. Consequently, I was warned that there would be a language barrier.
Come August 29th 2013 (one day after my 20th birthday), I arrived at Bilkent University with my close family for support but little did I know that I would not be a singular Pakistani addition to my venerable university this year, no.. Dear God, no. I recall getting on the early international student shuttle to the ministry to get my transcript documents evaluated with my fellow international students and to my great surprise, almost all of the seats in the (50-60 capacity) bus was occupied by my jolly and curious countrymen and women. I felt both relieved (that I had Pakistanis to talk to in ease and befriend without a communication problem) and jealous (that I was not as rare an item as my brother was when he first came to the university), but the former feeling most definitely trumped the latter.
Fast forward 3 years later and the number of Pakistanis has exponentially grown. In fact, I can confidently say that my countrymen form the second largest international student body in Bilkent University (if not first since I would reserve that spot for my Azeri country-fellows). I feel that we as a people bring a new flavor to the spice of life here at Bilkent University; this blog is dedicated to bringing the point of view of this fast growing community for all to see and enjoy experiencing. I bring you: Bilkent life through a Pakistani lens.
Allow me to bring you up to speed. Approximately 4 years ago, in 2012, my older brother came to Turkey and joined Bilkent University to become the 2nd Pakistani undergrad of his year. I myself was still finishing high school back in Pakistan and applying to universities within Turkey to get acceptances as fast as possible; time passed and lo and behold, I was accepted into Bilkent as well and there was much joy to be had in the Hyat household for both brothers would be in the same university together! I remember having TWO daunting thoughts in mind at the time: "How am I going to find my place in a patriotic Turkish society and how will I get used to the food?!" I should add that my parents had been to Turkey twice before my acceptance letter's arrival and had said that the Turkish were extremely fond of their language and culture. Consequently, I was warned that there would be a language barrier.
Come August 29th 2013 (one day after my 20th birthday), I arrived at Bilkent University with my close family for support but little did I know that I would not be a singular Pakistani addition to my venerable university this year, no.. Dear God, no. I recall getting on the early international student shuttle to the ministry to get my transcript documents evaluated with my fellow international students and to my great surprise, almost all of the seats in the (50-60 capacity) bus was occupied by my jolly and curious countrymen and women. I felt both relieved (that I had Pakistanis to talk to in ease and befriend without a communication problem) and jealous (that I was not as rare an item as my brother was when he first came to the university), but the former feeling most definitely trumped the latter.
Fast forward 3 years later and the number of Pakistanis has exponentially grown. In fact, I can confidently say that my countrymen form the second largest international student body in Bilkent University (if not first since I would reserve that spot for my Azeri country-fellows). I feel that we as a people bring a new flavor to the spice of life here at Bilkent University; this blog is dedicated to bringing the point of view of this fast growing community for all to see and enjoy experiencing. I bring you: Bilkent life through a Pakistani lens.