After spending five days and four nights in Istanbul, Turkey, my perspective on the country has undergone a complete transformation. Before visiting, I only knew Turkey as a place rich in history and architecture, but being there allowed me to experience the culture, religion, and development of Turkish society in a much deeper way. On...
My visit to Türkiye changed many of the ideas I had before the trip. Before travelling, I imagined the country simply as a place between Europe and Asia, with the European side being more modern, safer and more similar to Western cities. I expected the lifestyle to feel European, even though most people are Muslim....
Before joining the field trip to Turkey, my understanding of the country was shaped mainly by my favourite novel, My Name Is Red by Orhan Pamuk. I imagined Turkey as a place where tradition dominated everyday life and where the cultural influence of the Ottoman Empire remained visibly strong. However, during the trip, several experiences...
Türkiye saw me not just as a traveller, but as a university student going on an international trip. My module explored how the Middle East has been shaped over the years of colonisation, empires, and trade. Therefore, I believed I had a fairly good idea of what to expect from the region, such as hectic...
Before visiting Turkey, my imagination was filled with familiar images: the domes and minarets of Istanbul, bustling bazaars perfumed with spices, and the shimmering Bosphorus, which links Europe and Asia. These iconic scenes often dominate global narratives about Turkey, presenting it as a bridge between East and West, tradition and modernity. Yet these images, while...
Moving beyond the Western lens, as I return from Istanbul, I find myself reflecting on how this journey has reshaped the expectations I had outlined before the trip. In my earlier blog, I wrote about wanting to challenge the Orientalist assumptions that often shape Western perceptions of the Middle East. Now, after walking through Istanbul’s...
This literature review discusses how Western media, political debates, and cultural works have portrayed Iraq before and after the September 11, 2001, attacks. Iraq is located in West Asia, often referred to as the “Middle East.” The country has faced ongoing internal conflict, outside interference, and frequent misrepresentation. For many years, U.S. interests and broader...
My first impression of Turkey evokes images of a beautiful rug, famous Turkish ice cream, and the fascinating history of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey is a place where European and Asian cultures meet and coexist in harmony. Although Istanbul is not the capital city of Turkey, it remains the cultural and historical centre of the...
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...
My Expectations Before Visiting Turkey As I get ready for my study visit to Turkey, I feel very curious and excited. When I think of Turkey, I envision a beautiful city by the sea, where cats roam freely, people smile, and the sound of prayers emanates from mosques. I also think about Turkish ice cream,...
Public spaces are needed for democratic participation; bringing individuals together to gather, speak, and demand change. Places such as town squares or central streets. However, this is no different in the digital age, as now the idea of public space has gone beyond geography. Online platforms (e.g., Instagram, TikTok) have now become new areas of...
Traditionally, when you think of a public space you may imagine streets, city squares, parks, or university campuses. Public spaces serve many functions, they are places of leisure, social interaction, and cultural expression. Alongside these everyday purposes, they also act as settings for deliberative democracy which Britannica (2025) defines as a school of thought in political...