Turkish Delight: Immersing Myself in Language and Culture

 

For years, I had been fascinated by the Turkish language - its unique script, melodic pronunciation, and expressive vocabulary. As an avid language learner, I knew that true fluency required immersion. After much research and consideration and 4 years of failing one of these Turkish government scholarships, I finally went to Ankara Türkiye to carry out one of its programs in collaboration with ASEAN.

At the time, my Turkish proficiency was limited to basic phrases like "merhaba" (hello), "teşekkür ederim" (thank you), and "gunaydin" (good morning). I had dabbled in a few language learning apps, but I knew that surrounded by the language and culture, my progress would be exponentially faster.

Ankara, with its rich history, vibrant cultural scene, and friendly locals, seemed like the perfect place to embark on this linguistic and cultural journey. I was excited to explore the city, meet new people, and challenge myself in ways I never had before. Little did I know just how transformative this experience would be. I hoped to achieve a high level of Turkish proficiency during my time in Ankara. I wanted to be able to hold conversations with locals, understand various accents, and comprehend Turkish media like TV shows and podcasts. Beyond language skills, I was eager to gain a deep understanding of Turkish culture - its customs, traditions, history, and daily life. I believed that by immersing myself in both the language and culture, I could gain a more nuanced and authentic experience.

 

From the moment I arrived in Ankara, I dove headfirst into my Turkish language learning journey. I enrolled in intensive classes at Ankara  Hacı Bayram Velı University, where I met fellow learners from all over the world. Our teachers, Merve, Abdul Kadir, and Feride hoca was patient, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our endless questions.

Despite my dedication and the excellent instruction, I quickly discovered that Turkish was a challenging language. The grammar, with its complex system of suffixes and vowel harmony, was unlike anything I had encountered before. Pronunciation also proved difficult, as Turkish includes sounds not found in many other languages.

One of the most amusing challenges was mastering the Turkish suffix system, which intricately layers meaning onto root words, turning a simple noun into a complex idea with just a few added syllables. For instance, the word "ev" (house) can transform into "evlerim" (my houses) with the addition of suffixes that denote possession and plurality. As I attempted to construct sentences, I found myself grappling with the various suffixes that could indicate direction, case, and even mood. The sheer creativity required to convey a thought was both exhilarating and daunting; I could go from saying "I live in a house" to "I live in my friend's house near the park" with a flurry of suffixes that I had to remember and apply correctly.

Throughout my language learning journey, I found several resources to be incredibly helpful. I used language learning apps like Duolingo to supplement my classes. I also watched Turkish TV shows and movies with English subtitles, which helped me get used to different accents and speaking styles.

Perhaps most helpful of all was immersing myself in the language as much as possible. I put my phone settings in Turkish, listened to Turkish music, and tried to speak only Turkish when interacting with locals. The more I surrounded myself with the language, the faster I progressed. Each conversation became a playful puzzle, and with every error, I grew more determined to embrace the complexities of the language, knowing that every slip was just a stepping stone to fluency.

Looking back, I am amazed at how far I came during my time in Ankara. From a beginner with basic phrases to a confident speaker able to navigate everyday situations, my Turkish language learning journey was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Since I stayed in October, I got the chance to experience Türkiye's Independence Day in the city center on October 29th, that was one of the most exciting days of my life. As soon as I stepped into the busy streets, I could feel the energy all around me. Red and white flags were everywhere, waving cheerfully in the breeze. The sounds of music filled the air, mixed with the happy voices of families and friends who had come together to celebrate this important day. It was as if the whole city was alive, and I felt so lucky to be part of the celebration.

As the day went on, I got caught up in all the fun. Street vendors had set up stalls, selling delicious Turkish snacks like simit and baklava. I couldn't resist trying some of everything! Children were running around with painted faces, holding balloons and sweets, and their joy was contagious. I bought a small Turkish flag and waved it proudly, feeling connected to the rich history of the country. 

When night fell, the celebration reached its peak with a stunning fireworks display. The sky lit up with bright colors, and the crowd cheered in excitement. I stood there with a smile on my face, surrounded by so many happy people, all looking up in wonder. The fireworks were beautiful, just like the spirit of the day—a celebration of freedom, hope, and togetherness. In that moment, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for being there, sharing in the joy of a nation as we all celebrated the strength and pride of Turkey together.