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. However, what I experienced was more complicated. People crossed streets without waiting for traffic lights, and the driving culture was extremely fast and aggressive. The biggest surprise was how common smoking was. People smoked everywhere, even indoors, and the smell was always present. One moment that reflects my experience well was visiting the Grand Bazaar. Most shops sold very similar items such as evil-eye charms, tea, sweets, fabrics and ceramics. It made me think about how sellers compete in such a vast space where products are almost identical, and how traditional markets strive to maintain their identity in a modern, tourist-driven economy. Another observation that made the trip memorable was my visit to Galata Tower. My friends and I walked for almost thirty minutes to reach the tower. When we finally arrived, we stood there for less than five minutes because the entrance ticket was too expensive for us. We simply looked at the tower, laughed at ourselves and walked back down. Even though we didn’t go inside, the walk itself was enjoyable because I spent the time talking with my friend from the University of Westminster. We joked about our assignments, compared our levels of busyness, and shared small stories about our studies. Moments like this made the trip feel personal and meaningful. Staying on the Asian side of Istanbul was also a special part of the experience. It allowed me to see different perspectives of the city. Each day we crossed the Bosphorus by ferry, going back and forth between the two sides. The view was beautiful, and the routine of crossing the water made the trip feel lively and exciting. From the SDG perspective, my observations are closely related to SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities. Istanbul faces serious traffic problems, yet it also protects cultural heritage areas and manages high population density. The transportation system impressed me the most because one card works for buses, trams, metros and ferries. I also saw SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure in action through the modern and well-designed Istanbul Airport, which shows strong investment in infrastructure and innovation. Overall, this trip helped me understand that development, culture and religion interact in complex ways. It gave me a wider perspective that will support my future studies, especially when I learn about the Middle East next year.
Phornpailin Gebben Kasetsart University