It was my first time to go abroad, so I felt more anxious than I expected when I first decided to go to Turkey. Also, Turkey is not so familiar to me and it was the reason why I was worried. However, the two weeks in Turkey was very good. I think about it now, I do not know why I was worried to go to Turkey. I think that the two weeks in Turkey was very precious and wonderful days for me.
In this program, I visited three places: Antalya, Izmir and Istanbul. I would like to write about the events in Antalya and Izmir.
First, I would like to write about the events in Antalya. Antalya was the place where I lived abroad for the first time. Therefore, I was surprised a lot while living in Antalya. Among them, the environment of the bathroom was most surprising part this part this time. Although I did not mind it while I was in Turkey for a few days, I felt that Japan's bathroom environment was very good. Also, I found the impression that vegetables and fruits were very tasty. I heard that overseas vegetables are not very tasty from people who have been to go abroad before, but Turkish vegetables and fruits were delicious. Some of the vegetables and fruits I ate in Turkey did not have seen in Japan, but they were very fresh and tasty.
▲At a historical remain in Antalya
Second, I would to write about the events in Izmir. There were also many surprises in Izmir. Among them, I was surprised at the speed of the car running on the road. I did not feel it much in Antalya, but I felt it many times as fast as the speed of the car in Izmir. In Japan, it often happens that cars stop for pedestrians, but that is only a rule in Japan. I thought that I can not use it in Turkey. Also, I felt it was very dangerous to try to cross the road in Turkey with that sense. In Japan, it is common that cars will stop for pedestrians, but I noticed that it is not commonplace. In addition, I had a speech in English at Ege University in Izmir. I was very nervous because I was the first time to give a speech in English. I could not make a satisfactory speech, but I think that it was a good opportunity to have a speech this time. Also, I think that it was a very valuable experience for me.
▲At Ege University
In addition to this, I joined in agriculture program this time, so I would like to write about Turkey's agriculture. In this program, I had opportunities to visit some agricultural companies and listen to stories about agriculture. What I felt when visiting agricultural companies in Turkey is that it was large in scale. Companies that visited with this program have their own large farms and factories and have been cultivating agricultural crops on a very large scale. I had the impression that the farmers are doing cultivation of agricultural crops on a small scale. Therefore, I was surprised at cultivating large-scale agricultural crops in Turkey. The price of Turkish vegetables was very cheap when I was looking at the supermarket. I thought that it may be possible to offer cheaply because it reduces production costs by cultivating on a large scale. I felt it was rare way in Japan.
In addition, I felt that Turkish agricultural companies are thinking about exporting agricultural crops. Turkey is currently exporting agricultural crops to various countries mainly in Europe. Therefore, I was able to hear various stories about the export of agricultural crops. Among them, when I heard stories of company exporting organic nuts and dried fruits abroad, I felt that they always think about expanding overseas markets. There are some crops that are exporting abroad in Japan, I received the impression that export of agricultural crops in Turkey is being carried out more actively than in Japan. Regarding the export of agricultural crops, since free trade is further activated by TPP, I think that Japan also needs to think about it. Therefore, the talk about the export of agricultural crops in Turkey, which is already exporting to many countries, was very valuable to me. It was hard to understand the content of specialized agriculture because I am not specialized in agriculture. However, it was a very good opportunity to increase my knowledge that I was able to learn about agriculture this time.
Finally, what I always felt through this program was the kindness of Turkish people. I went to Turkey with little knowledge of Turkish, so there were problems such as I did not understand what people were saying. However, a lot of people including Turkish students who spent time with us this time helped me. I really appreciate them. Also, even people I did not know were talking to me. Japanese people may be rare in Turkey, I was very happy to talk to so many people. I felt like being a famous in Turkey. This was a precious experience for me.
I think that I grew up having a lot of experience in Turkey. Also, I had lots of wonderful memories in Turkey. I will never forget this program. These two weeks were very fulfilling. If I have a chance, I would like to go to Turkey again.
福島大学への留学案内・年間スケジュール
