When I think of Turkey, I envision a remarkable country that bridges Europe and Asia, both geographically and culturally. Since Thailand and Turkey have different cultures and religions, I want to understand these differences from a sociological and anthropological perspective. Istanbul stands out as a city where the old and the new coexist. My first impression is that Turkey represents a dynamic blend of history, religion, and modernisation. Before this trip, most of my knowledge about Turkey had come from social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, with a primary focus on its political history and tourism. However, I expect to discover much more by observing the daily lives of Turkish people and the structures that support their communities. I hope to deepen my understanding of how the country balances growth with sustainability—particularly how education, gender equality, and urban planning contribute to long-term social development. This trip will be guided by SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. SDG 4 aligns with my goal of understanding how education systems in Turkey foster equality and civic engagement, particularly among young people. SDG 11 resonates with my curiosity about how cities like Istanbul balance preserving cultural heritage with addressing challenges such as urbanisation, transportation, and inclusivity. I aim to investigate how Turkish society incorporates sustainability into daily life and how public spaces reflect societal priorities. My personal learning objectives are to connect academic theories from sociology and anthropology with real-world experiences, to practice intercultural communication, and to critically compare Turkey’s development with that of Thailand. I aim to understand how historical, political, and social factors interact to shape people’s lives. For my methodology, I will collect evidence through direct observation, note-taking, and photographs (with permission). I plan to record my reflections each day, focusing on moments that reveal how communities organise education and adapt to modernisation. Conversations with Turkish students and professors will also provide deeper insights into their views on sustainability, democracy, and everyday challenges. I believe this field trip will transform my theoretical knowledge into lived experience. Seeing how Turkey promotes learning and sustainable urban life will give me new perspectives on social change. Ultimately, I hope to share ideas that can be applied within the Faculty of Social Sciences by sharing my observations through discussions, encouraging others interested in this subject, and by sharing my insights through conversations.
Kwanhatai Koh Kasetsart University