SURPRISE you're meeting someone famous.

Imagine you’re sitting in your classroom, minding your own business learning, when the teacher gives a call and lands you an interview with Johnny Depp, President Obama, and Jet Li, and then a tour of the set of Star Wars to top it all off. Well that didn’t happen. But really that’s okay—SOMETHING MUCH COOLER HAPPENED. Professor Andac called one of the major news companies of Istanbul and got us an interview with the editor, anchor, and a journalist, as well as a tour of the studio and meeting another major news anchor to add icing to the cake. I know approximately 0.0% of you will agree with me in saying that it was so fascinating and exciting, but bear with me here and let the nerd in me take flight.

First of all, it was completely unscheduled and unplanned. One moment we were discussing the subject of freedom of the press in Turkey, and the next moment a couple phone calls were made and we were madly rushing to get to the hotel and look decent before heading to the studio. You know, no big deal.

First we met with the editor. As we sat down in his office, I couldn’t help but notice several flat screen TVs on the wall, all showing a different news channel. Actually, TVs were everywhere—hanging from the ceiling, on walls, and there was probably one on the back of the bathroom door (though this is pure speculation). The editor didn’t really speak English because he’s and “old school journalist,” meaning he entered the career before America demanded everyone know English. We (and by “we” I mean Sara) asked questions about the role of the media in Turkish peoples’ everyday lives, their role in the recent election, how they differ from others on their perspective on events, and freedom of the press. One subject that struck me as odd was the view the editor held about freedom of the press. As some may know, the Turkish government has thrown journalists in jail for not being in alignment with the party in power—something that is very wrong in American and European eyes. The editor didn’t consider it a big issue, and thought it was something that just happened. You’d think as a journalist he would want to be free to print something against the government if he wanted, but later he revealed that his news company was pretty much aligned with the party in power (AKP) anyway. Take that as you will, I just hope that that attitude changes amongst Turkish journalists.

Talking to the anchor and journalist was also very insightful. The anchor, Defne, spoke perfect English and with only a slight accent, was interested to know young Americans’ perceptions of Turkey and Istanbul. The journalist we met also asked us about our perceptions before and after coming to Turkey—and she also added valuable and honest insight as a person of Turkish descent who lived in London and Germany as well as Istanbul. She acknowledged the problem with self-censorship in journalism and how the government restricted progress for the Turkish people in some ways. Everyone can only hope that the people will make the right decision that will lead Turkey to a more progressive and democratic country.

Overall, it was a day I did not expect. Dear Tomorrow: I dare you to top it.