The chance to take part in the Istanbul field trip would greatly improve my studies as a student of politics and international relations in several ways. As the largest city and cultural hub of Turkey, Istanbul provides a distinctive perspective for analysing the intricacies of Middle Eastern politics, development, and cultural dynamics.
First, attending lectures at Kırklareli University, one of Westminster’s partner universities, will offer priceless scholarly insights. Local viewpoints on Turkey’s political climate, its place in regional affairs, and its special status as a link between Europe and Asia may be provided via these sessions. The theoretical frameworks we have studied will be enhanced and supplemented by this first-hand knowledge from Turkish academics, enabling a more complex understanding of the political dynamics of the region. Moreover, this enables a chance for debate, what does Turkey look like from outside – does western media portray their government and politics in an accurate way? It will be a privileged experience to talk to the locals of Istanbul and find out their personal views and opinions.
Second, visiting Istanbul’s cultural sites will make political issues from the past and present more vivid. The complicated theological and political history of Turkey is encapsulated in places like the Hagia Sophia, which has undergone changes from a Byzantine church to an Ottoman Mosque to a museum and back again to a mosque. My comprehension of the relationship between politics, religion, and national identity in the Middle East will be strengthened by this firsthand encounter with how political decisions impact cultural places.
Furthermore, Istanbul’s status as a significant international city provides a distinct viewpoint on urbanisation and growth in the Middle East. Seeing the city’s infrastructure, commercial districts, and varied neighbourhoods will give us practical examples of the difficulties and achievements in development that we have learnt about in theory. This experience will improve my capacity for comparison and analysis across different regions.
Finally, I will improve my cross-cultural communication skills—which are essential in international relations—by engaging with local students, scholars, and residents. My assumptions will be tested, my perspective will be expanded, and I will have networking chances that may prove beneficial for my future academic or professional efforts.
To conclude, taking part in this field trip would help students grasp abstract ideas in a deeper way than they might through classroom instruction alone. It would improve both my academic achievement and my readiness for a future job in international relations by giving me a more thorough and nuanced understanding of Middle Eastern politics.
Maliha Hussain