Turkish Local Interview: Hande Akdeniz

Throughout my blog you've been experiencing life as told by a foreigner so I wanted to interrupt that trend by getting a local's opinion! Hande Akdeniz, a computer engineering student at Hacettepe University has kindly agreed to answer questions on living life as a local in Turkey.

The infamous Hande Akdeniz

Me: Thank you for agreeing to this interview! How are you today, Hande?

Hande: Actually I m glad to interview with you Melody Thanks. I am a bit tired because of my school routine but it's better nowadays. so i m happy about being with you

M: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

H: I am 21 years old and still a student at Hacettepe University as you have already said, studying Computer Engineering in Ankara. I also was born in here in Tunalı

It's my 4. year at university, and it's really busy in this year at school so i have not much time but when i find time for other things i really like to be with my friends

and i used to interested in kick boxing and fitness, i know it's not looking like that now :) otherwise i have a small family as my parents and one sister.

Studying for exams

M: What's life like for you in Turkey? What does an average day look like for you?

H: Turkey is a really good country to travel but living here, nope not as good as travelling . Because it's hard to study hard to find a good job and it's a disadvantage.

i mean everyone wants to live a good and comfortable life. but in Turkey it's a little bit hard . 

i can say sometimes i wish i would born another country a developed country. but i m not so depressed not at all i m happy to have like my family or friends. And i can say i m trying to be survive :)

M: What do you love about Turkey and living here?

H: i love foods :D because all cities has different meals and turkey is a big country. you can find any kind of food here for you.

i also like my neighborhood people are so modern and kind here.

besides there are many place to see in turkey if you have time and money you cannot get bored in Turkey it's not possible :)

finally it's a sarcastic reason . if you live here you can improve yourselves (and your personality) so easily . because everywhere you go, there is a challenge to solve :D 

 

M: Where would you recommend a traveler to go in Turkey? Any particular cities, attractions or annual events? What is the most underrated city in Turkey?

H: i really love the west part of Turkey . maybe i miss sea :D i do not know but istanbul is really popular for foreigners because of the historical places and 

There are some natural beauties like Pamukkale or Kapadokya etc. yeah you know there are many places as i mention before also how can i say.. east is really mystical and more traditional

M: How did you learn English? You speak better than nearly anyone else I've met here.

H: I started to learn at primary school. Generally it's same for every student. And it continue at highschool and also many of universities but it's not enough to learn just at school you should do also practice in your real life 

i found a chance about it and i m doing some other practices like watching movies&TV series or reading some english books and also books of my lessons mostly in english so i just have to learn it :)

Enjoying Izmir

M: What are your plans after you graduate? Is there anywhere you'd like to travel & if so, where?

H: ahh :) actually i would like to move, work and live abroad a couple years ago. i also want to study  Master of Business Administration after graduate from engineering. 

but now when we talk about reality i have a boyfriend and he lives in izmir . i really would like to go there and work there as a computer engineer. i hope i can go abroad for travelling with him :) who knows.

M: Can you teach us a little bit of Turkish? What's an important, useful or funny phrase?

H: yes of course :) first it's familiar for you 'naber kanka?'  lol it means "what's up bro?" :)
and here is some common words such as
hi = selam
how are you? = nasılsın?
please = lütfen
thanks = teşekkürler
i am Hande = ben Hande
nice to meet you = tanıştığıma memnun oldum (it's a little bit hard i know :D)
i love you = seni seviyorum
and finally it's the most useful sentence for a foreigner when somebody ask or say to you something you can say "seni anlamıyorum" = "I don't understand you"

M: Haha! For anyone confused, Hande's first phrase is making fun of me - I accidentally said "naber kanka" instead of just "naber" to her when we first met.

Lounging in Dikili

M: Now then, is there anything you'd like to change about Turkey? Or is there any popular misconception you'd like to clear up? Can you share some advice about traveling in Turkey for our American readers?

H: yesss!! as a student of course it's education system . i think it's really useless and old it needs reforms. 

about misconception i couldnt think anything. for American readers i just can say come and see :) you will not have regrets.

M: Finally, has Turkey changed since you were a child? If so, how?

H:Actually yes or no i have no answer because my age it's not so old and i may could not understand what has changed. :)

Thank you so much for your time today! We've learned a lot more about Turkey now that we've gotten an insider's perspective. Hopefully your answers will help our readers make a more educated decision about traveling to Turkey.

* Note: none of the pictures in this post belong to me

5 Must-Haves Before Traveling Internationally

There's always something you forget to pack when traveling. It's hard to decide what's useful vs junk, so I created this list of 5 must-have items when planning a trip or move abroad:

1. Universal Adapter
Absolutely necessary when packing phones, laptops, tablets, or other devices. If you're staying at a popular hotel in a touristic location, they may include a universal adapter in the room, but why take the risk? Invest in a good adapter and you'll never worry about being stranded without a cell charge.

2. Translation App
Tons of English-to-[Language] apps are available for iPhone and Android. Purchase an app that features both popular phrases and a regular dictionary as it'll be invaluable when navigating the land, communicating with locals, and ordering food (especially if you have dietary restrictions). A translation app that you can access regardless of WiFi will be a real lifesaver.

3. Advance Refills on Medications
Not all medicines are available OTC and prices may vary. Inform your doctor of upcoming travel plans to order refills in advance. Note: some countries may not even offer sexual health items, so plan birth control and condoms accordingly.

4. Notebook + Pen
Write down all important info rather than scrambling for loose leaf papers. Keep it all in one place - hotel details, passport copies, receipts - for easy, organized access and peace of mind should you get lost, misplace your passport, or be faced with an unexpected credit card charge.

5. Backup Phone Plan
Google Voice is free and allows calling, texting, and voicemail to and from America with an internet connection. Skype's low international fees means even $5 is a decent investment. If you can afford it, purchase an international phone, as it doesn't require an internet connection or local phone plan.

Make your trip or move abroad less stressful by purchasing the above items in advance; you'll be especially grateful for them when faced with sticky situations.

Resources: cellularabroad.com, google.com/voice, amazon.com

5 International Traveling Tips

We moved from Dubai, UAE to Ankara, Turkey on 08 March 2014. Although we were relatively prepared, there were a few points we missed. Here's some tips on international traveling:

1. Exchange Currency Prior to Departure
It's easier to change currency prior to leaving as the new country may not convert your money. When in doubt, always convert to USD and then you can change it to local currency as needed.

2. Pack Smart
Regardless of the climate, pack for 4 seasons since weather can't be perfectly predicted. "Dubai is a desert, I don't need winter clothes," I naively thought. A light jacket, heavy jacket, and pair of rain boots will take you a long way.

3. Double Check Airline Baggage Allowances
Not all flights allow one checked bag and one carry-on per person. We assumed US airline regulations would apply as we left Dubai, and the assumption cost us $300 in baggage fees. Ouch.

4. Research Privacy Laws
Seriously. Not all countries are like the US and it's incorrect to assume you'll retain all US privileges when traveling abroad. The US might not care if you have porn on your computer but if the country you're traveling to does, it's better to delete it than potentially face fines or jail sentences upon arrival. Begin your search at your local embassy's website and contact them for more resources.

5. Learn a Little Language
You don't have to be fluent, but knowing words like "yes", "no", "I don't speak [language]", "Do you speak English", "please", "excuse me", "left", "right", "my apologies", "no problem", "stop", and "wait" will help you immensely. English is the international language of business, yes, but not all countries speak English. Write down your hotel's address and phone number to at least ensure you can get back home.

These were the most important lessons I've learned so far from traveling internationally. Did I miss any other important tips for traveling abroad? Let me know in the comments!