Blogging
From Abroad

Well, I’m back in the States, back in good ol’ West Virginia. I feel compelled to wrap up my blog with a final entry, but frankly I haven’t the foggiest idea what I should write about. My education and experiences were so far reaching that to say anything I’d need pages and pages. Nevertheless, I’ll write something and hope it is somewhat coherent.

As expected my time in Turkey was again incredible. While it may not have matched my exchange days in the amount of fun, (having as much fun as I did while I was an exchange student is probably illegal in some states) I learned infinitely more, not only about Turkish, but Turkish culture (including some silly nuances) and interactions. Perhaps the most exciting part of my experience is that with my newly aquired Turkish skills I was able to form real friendships with people that spoke no English. Indeed, there exist people in the world whom I feel as though I know reasonably well that I have never communicated with in my mother tongue. Wow, what a thought.

Anyone that is even remotely interested in travelling or langauges should apply for the Critical Language Scholarship (clscholarship.com). Period. If you have questions about it please feel to email me.

I’ve only been gone a week and my heart already burns for Istanbul. I ache for sipping tea on streetside tea houses with old Turkish men, for the unbelievably pleasant ferry boat rides, for waking up on hot Istanbul Saturday mornings to the call the prayer, for my Turkish lady, for Istiklal Caddesi, one of the busiest street in Europe, for delicious Turkish kebab, for Gypsy musicians on the streets, for intoxicating manzara.

Well, thats about all I have to say without rambling on and on. I hope you enjoyed reading my blog. Kendine iyi bak, take care, and have as many adventures as possible.