Fulbright Dispatch From Turkey

Since my freshman year at Baylor, I’ve known that I wanted to apply for a Fulbright. During that first year, I was invited to take the course Learning for the World, where I volunteered in an English as a Second Language course at McLennan Community College. I vividly remember the feeling I had after the first day, a sense of fulfillment I had never experienced before. After that, I started teaching more English in various settings and became deeply interested in refugee and migration studies. During the summer of 2024, I participated in the Shepherd Higher Consortium on Poverty, interning at the Catholic Charities of Louisville, where I worked in refugee resettlement. During that same summer, I was applying for the Fulbright ETA award. I knew I wanted to pursue a Fulbright, but I didn’t know where until I met my friends Raziye and Aline. Through talking with them and hearing about their experiences, I decided to apply to Turkey.

When I first applied to Turkey, I imagined myself being placed in a warm coastal city on the Mediterranean. Instead, I was placed in Sivas, a small city in the heart of the Anatolian region. At first, I was nervous about this placement because it was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. However, I wouldn’t have chosen anywhere else to be. I have been placed here with another Fulbright ETA who has become one of my closest friends, and I work alongside some of the most amazing people from around the world. I’ve especially loved getting to know my students! Almost all of them have questions about Texas and whether cowboys are a real thing there. It’s fun to share my culture with them, but even more rewarding to hear about their hopes and dreams and to help them see their own potential.

When I first arrived in Turkey, we had a week-long orientation in Ankara where we met our cohort, got briefings from the U.S. Embassy, and attended sessions on teaching English in a university setting. Now in Sivas, I’ve settled into a rhythm that’s both fulfilling and full of small daily joys, getting dinner with coworkers, drinking endless cups of çay with my students, and going on long walks around the city. Sivas is a slower city where people truly prioritize relationships. This can be seen in the way my coworkers take us exploring on weekends, or how my taxi driver insists on teaching me Turkish phrases during our rides.

Another incredible aspect of this experience has been the opportunity to travel. I’ve particularly enjoyed visiting places like Ankara, İstanbul, Bodrum, and Kayseri. In Ankara, my friends and I saw a Turkish rock band called “Duman” perform, which was such a fun way to experience the local culture. In İstanbul, I visited iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace. While all were stunning, my favorite moment was taking the ferry up the Bosporus Strait to a small town called Anadolu Kavağı. There, we hiked up to an old Ottoman fortress overlooking the point where the Bosporus meets the Black Sea. Afterward, we ate freshly caught fish by the water and browsed through shops selling handmade goods. It was one of those moments that made me pause and realize just how special this opportunity is to live and learn in such a rich and welcoming culture.

I would absolutely encourage others to apply for a Fulbright. This program is about more than just teaching or research, it’s about connection, growth, and cultural exchange. Every day, I’m reminded of the power of education and the beauty of building bridges between people who might otherwise never meet. For students who are thinking about applying, I would say: start now by seeking out experiences that push you out of your comfort zone. Volunteer, engage with your community, and find ways to learn from people whose backgrounds are different from your own. Most importantly, come into every experience with an open mind and a kind heart.