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By sturtle7

When ever I talked to someone about study abroad the always mentioned reaching a level of uncomfortable that you somehow become comfortable with.
Going abroad to China this summer, I learned a great deal about who I was and reached a level of content with my past mistakes. Istanbul was an adventure into the future, self-reliance and learning where I could see myself.

...continue reading "Reaching a Level of Uncomfortable"

By sturtle7

Going abroad was always a daunting task for me. I never saw myself as the type. I wasn't adventitious enough or could see myself leaving the support system I had worked so hard to create at GW. There were a variety of exercises, ones I went through daily sophomore year in an attempt to stop myself from flying across the world. However, as I sit here in Turkey, enjoying the last bits of good weather at the beach with a group of friends from all walks of life, and having gone parasailing just this morning, I realize how lucky I am to have the people here with me.

...continue reading "Communities Support You"

By sturtle7

Hola friends! I am now into my third week abroad in Istanbul which is both an amazing yet disorienting feeling. In a sense I feel like I have been here for much longer but when I Skype my friends back home I realize that my arrival was only moments ago. Leaving my community back home is obviously a difficult transition but I am so grateful for the community I am beginning to build here. I can already say it has brought much comfort to living everyday life in which most encounters often involve people being shocked I am American, asking "no really where are you from," and leaving me frustrated that I sometimes live in a dual world of being American and Egyptian but in the eyes of some never fully being either. Below are some of my favorite things about my community:
The Bosphorus
The Bosphorus: Much like the Lincoln Memorial or the Washington Monument, the Bosphorus has easily become one of my favorite places to spend my time when I am stressed or need something to leave me in awe of where I am at the moment.

The Mosques
The Mosques: As a muslim, my religion is extremely important to me. It is so beautiful to me to be able to hear the call to prayer five times a day and know that a mosque is only steps from where I am from.

Valerie and Ellie ...continue reading "Beginning Life in Istanbul"

By sturtle7

Hello! Welcome to my first blog! My name is Sherin Nassar, a junior majoring in International Affairs and Economics! This semester I am studying abroad in Istanbul, Turkey! I am so excited for this journey because I firmly believe it will lead me to a greater understand on myself.

This blog post revolves around identity-how we each view ourselves and how in return people see us. This past year, I've learned my identity changes with each challenge I take on. I see myself as ambitious, always wanting to take on more to see how I can further develop. These ambitions are firmly rooted in my parents' immigrant background. They come over twenty five years ago from Egypt in search of the American dream. Their pursuits and passions as well as their hard work are ingrained into who I am today: someone not only looking to make them proud but to make people believe that the future is truly yours for the taking. ...continue reading "Lost in translation"