The month of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar is observed by Muslims worldwide as a sacred month of reflection. Its history dates back more than 1,400 years to the time of Prophet Muhammad, who received the first verses of the Quran during this month. The word “Ramadan” itself comes from an Arabic root meaning “intense...
Walking around Istanbul, it’s hard not to feel connected to the incredibly diverse history which has moulded this city. Coexisting around every corner are elements of Byzantine and Ottoman, traditional and modern, secular and religious, reminiscent of the various positions the city has held over the years. While Istanbul, and particularly its port, has continued...
On the 23rd of November, my classmates and I embarked on a transformative journey to Istanbul, Turkey, marking the beginning of an immersive exploration into the vibrant tapestry of its culture, culinary delights, and the warmth of its people. However, the trip also granted us the unique privilege of engaging with distinguished academic professionals from...
I had always wanted to visit Turkey, which I had seen as the “Paris for Muslims” in some sense. However, I had some misconceptions about the country being conservative due to its secular nature. Upon visiting, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my assumptions were wrong. The country is stunning and one of...
The fourth and last part of the module, “Politics and Development in the Middle East”, highlighted the developmental prospects for countries in the Middle East. We have discovered a whole spectrum of factors that actively contribute to the region’s (un)even development (Friedman 2006: 32). Abundant evidence shows that the international world order has been the...
Reflection on my time in Istanbul Prior to taking the module “Politics and Development in the Middle East” and going on the accompanying field trip to Turkey, my knowledge and perception of the region were limited. As a product of the United States education system post 9/11, I was taught to view the Middle East...
Istanbul is a fascinating city that spans two continents and offers a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures. During my recent field trip to this enchanting city, every corner seemed to tell a story of empires, trade routes, and unforgettable experiences. We stayed in Kadıköy, which is located in the heart of Istanbul’s Asian...
Democratic Engagement I found the Democratic Engagement module to be very enlightening. The course brought together students from various degrees, allowing us to interact with people we wouldn’t have met otherwise. This has resulted in some interesting academic and social collaborations. Throughout the module, we discussed culture and explored the similarities and differences between different...
DEN offers a wonderful opportunity to engage in a unique experience and connect with students from Thailand. It was a challenging task, and we had to prepare and study Thai culture seriously (and the very concept of culture as a whole). During our online sessions, we could connect with our peers from Kasetsart University and...
An exciting and thought-provoking journey My journey throughout this module has been both academically and mentally stimulating. From the very first week, we have explored a variety of topics, including the universities, and higher education. Our field trip took us on an exciting adventure to different cities and temples, where we learned about the rich...
I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of this module, which has undoubtedly been a pivotal moment in my academic journey. Being a first-generation Pakistani, this experience was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I will cherish forever. Despite the challenges I faced leading up to the trip, I am genuinely grateful for having been...
Throughout this module, I have learnt some fundamental skills and gained an understanding of different aspects of society and how it comes together. We have focused on various topics, such as exploration and innovation in cross-cultural contexts, where we had a chance to learn about how different cultures perceive, embrace and explore innovation and the...