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 the first day, we visited historical landmarks such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia on the European side of Istanbul. These sites showed me how Turkey preserves its cultural and religious heritage while remaining open to modernisation and tourism. The architecture was not only beautiful but also symbolic that showing how Islam, history, and identity are deeply connected in daily life. Hearing the call to prayer five times a day reminded me of how religion continues to shape public and private life. As someone from Thailand, a Buddhist-majority country, I found it fascinating to see how strongly faith influences social behaviour and community unity in an Islamic society. The second day was the most academically meaningful because we visited Kültür University, where we learned about contemporary social and economic issues in Turkey. We discussed women’s rights, the economy, and the country’s efforts toward gender equality and sustainable growth. These discussions helped me understand SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) in action. I was particularly inspired by how Turkish universities encourage open dialogue about social problems and empower young people to think critically about development. During our free days, I explored Istanbul with friends from the UK. We used various forms of transportation, such as ferries, trams, and the metro, to travel between the Asian and European sides of the city. Staying in Kadıköy, on the Asian side, and crossing to the European side by ferry gave me insight into SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The city’s transport system is efficient, environmentally friendly, and accessible, showing a good example of how urban planning supports sustainability. Observing how people rely on public transport rather than private cars made me reflect on how Bangkok could improve its system to reduce congestion and pollution. What challenged my preconceptions most was realising that Turkey is not just a “bridge between East and West”, but it’s a country with its own unique rhythm, balancing tradition and progress. I now understand that sustainable development is not only about economics, but also about preserving cultural values and promoting social inclusion. This experience taught me to think beyond theories. Seeing the real-life application of SDGs in Turkey deepened my understanding of how societies adapt differently to global challenges. It reminded me that sustainable development must respect each nation’s identity a lesson I will carry into my future studies and research in sociology and anthropology.
Kwanhatai Koh Kasetsart University