What I Hope For...

In this first blog post I thought I would talk about what I hope to learn about the Turkish culture. I want to learn about the innovations and turning points in their history that have catapulted them into the modern and/or Western society. Ataturk may have played a major role in that evolvement but were there other players? I also want to investigate how Western society is perceived by Turks and who may be rejecting the movement towards European and American ideals and lifestyles and a more democratic society? Who is accepting this culture shift? I would also like to explore the lifestyles of the Turks and see if where you live in the country effects/ influences that lifestyle, in turn effecting that individuals values, attitudes, and level of acceptance of differing lifestyles. One of the most interesting aspects of Turkey is where it is located and how the location has helped shape its historical past. I would like to look at how Turkey’s geographic location has shaped its past and the role it may play in its future.I would also like to see what the people of Turkey are like in their element. I had Turkish friends but they have always been in the American culture when I was with them, this program’s is providing us all the opportunity to experience the Turkish people in their own society. It will be interesting to see how they communicate in groups, amongst people of relation, and how those in a relationship may interact. Do they act differently than we do in America? Are there specific differences between men and women? What are their roles? Do those differences influence their relationships and roles? I would also like to look at how American pop culture displays portrays the Turkish culture and see if this image holds true. Has our media told their story correctly? It can be presumed that there are some misconceptions. Since this is the case, do these misconceptions cause misunderstandings between the two cultures? Does the Turkish people see our society in the same way we do?I would love to find out how the Turkish people see the current political environment we are in here in America. Who would they like to see win the next election? How do they feel about our political system? Do they believe it works? It will interesting to ask what they believe we could do to change our country to better itself.Overall, there are two reasons I am traveling to Turkey; the first is to learn about the Turkish culture and see how the culture in Turkey differs and is similar to ours in America and two, to see how the geographic location may affect the thinking and practices of an individual.