#ucmsfc

[danielaucmsfc]

Time..

My time here is running out.. and it’s freaking me out!!

I have fallen in love with the life here! The people I’ve meet here have become some of my favorite people. And the places I’ve seen are so beautiful! I am so happy I took this amazing opportunity. I have had my fare share of home sick and other challenges but it is all part of the experience. And boy has this been an unforgettable experience. I will forever remember my short time here in Turkey.

I hope that you all take studying abroad into consideration. I has made me see life so much more differently. As well as made me open my eyes and realize so much. I am even more grateful for everything I have in life. Study abroad.. just traveling just makes you see the world differently. In a way that I can not describe to anyone is they have not lived through it themselves.

With that being said.. I hope you all take advantage of this amazing opportunity.

YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!!!!!!

[danielaucmsfc]

Merhaba!!!

Midterms are upon me everyone... you know what that means! STRESS GOING UP!!!

I have had 2 midterms so far and still have a few more to go. However, the last two that I took were very easy compared to back home. I was so nerves because they AREN’T multiple choice haha but written exams are so much easier!! Too be fare I did study a lot for both haha

Apart from studying and going to class and the gym(GAINZZ). I have had an amazing time so far!! I love it here! It’s so different from home but it really does feel like a home away from home. I have made amazing friends from a variety of place. We have all grown so close that I am going to be extremely sad to have to leave them behind. Half of my group of friends is staying the year in Turkey.

When I was applying to study abroad I thought a semester was WAY to long. But boy has that changed. Time has gone by waaaayyy to fast! I only have 2 more months until I return home. I miss the people back home & THE FOOOOODD!! But I really think that I would of been fine doing a whole year here. It has grown on me so much that I plan on spending my spring break in Turkey hahaha

It is bitter sweet being here for the holidays. In Turkey they do not celebrate Christmas.. I actually have finals this week hahaha However, my friends and I are planning on doing something so I am excited to see how this holidays will go being away from home. I will also be here for New Years which is something I am also excited about. I am so interested in seeing how New Years in Turkey is!!

With that being said I would just like to say that it you have the chance to study abroad and I know many of you think you can’t... you can!! AND IT IS SOOOO WORTH IT!! I can not explain how much this experience has impacted me in so many positive ways. ( I could go on about this of hours) I just hope you all take advantage of this amazing opportunity you all have.

SOOOOO PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK ME ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE OR JUST TO TALK ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS/DOUBTS ABOUT STUDYING ABROAD!!! I’M HERE TO HELP!!

Hope you are all doing well!! Sending love from Turkey!

[danielaucmsfc]

0 - 100 real quick

So we had this lovely break from school because of the holidays here. It was great! Didn’t have school got to chill and travel. Then we come back and *BAM* midterms.. like wait... hold on.. what’s happening!!

SO school is definitely not the same here. Here for some reason they have midterms and finals on weekends... why? I do not know! Like all my exams are on weekends!!! Also all my exams are written, meaning no multiple choice. Which is new for me. But I did take an exam Monday and I finished first. Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing... but I guess we will see!

So much work to do and out of know where and so little motivation..

With that being said Bobcats! KEEP IT TOGETHER! YOU CAN DO IT! WE CAN DO IT! (I sound like a zumba instructor idk why I thought about that but anywass) Stay motivated, I know school can be a real pain but believe me your hard work will pay off! TRUST!!!!!! Plus you have thanksgiving break to look forward too. I will sadly be missing it this year.__________________. I’m going to miss the pumpkin cheese cake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If anyone out there is find enough to mail me some, I will love you forever. Thank you.

Keep working hard out there in Merced Bobcats! I’m rooting for you!

[krisucmsfc]

Study Aborad

Be sure to follow danielaucmsfc as she studies abroad in Turkey!! 

[danielaucmsfc]

FOOOOOOOD!

I’ve been here for about 2 weeks now. Even though it totally feels like forever haha And I love it!! The food is so goooood! I thought I was going to have trouble, but I was so wrong!! THE DESSERTS ARE SO DAM GOOD! OMG! In Turkey they have big lunches instead on big dinners! It’s so much better! I have my breakfast and then my big lunch and I’m not hungry at all till like 8! It amazes me hahahha

I really do miss food from back home though. MY MOMS COOKING ERMERGERD! There is no Mexican food here.. not that I’ve seen anyway. I did have pizza the other day though and that was really good! They put corn on their pizza here which is different. But aye pizza is pizza! hahahaha I also miss milk! hahahah the milk here has a way different taste. More sour so I stay away from that  haha but besides that I’m loving the food here.

SO this post was pretty much all about food! Don’t be hesitant to try new things!!

[danielaucmsfc]

THIS IS ANKARA, TURKEY. AND I HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE!

[danielaucmsfc]

First day of class

hellllloooooooooooooooooooooo

Today I had my very first day of class at Bilkent University! It went pretty good!

I had my first class at 8:40 and well.. i kind of got lost! Here the buildings are all my letters and I had class in FF building. Me not knowing there was an FF building just figured it was in building F. (like come on that totally makes sense haha) anyways, I asked around and someone pointed me in the wrong direction, of course, hahah but then some nice people helped me out and pointed me to the right direction. I made it in time to class hahha

I also had my Turkish class. I took a “Survival Turkish” course orientation which kind of helped but lord to I need to learn Turkish! And quick. None of the signed here are in English, which is quite surprising to me because at this Uni. you need to know English in order to get accepted. Also classes are in English. So learning Turkish is going to be very helpful. I hope I can continue to practice when I get back home.

My Abnormal psychology course go cancelled so I have the whole day free to start reading. Tomorrow we are also going to Fethiye! Which is this beautiful place by the ocean! I am so excited! ahhhh I will keep you all posted about my adventure!

[danielaucmsfc]

Study Abroad Program

LORD JESUS! The exchange program at the Bilkent University here in Turkey is amazing! They have so many activities planned for us. I’m so excited! From 3 day weekend trips to music festivals to night outs in the city. It has really made it easier to get used to being here in a different country and being far FAR away from home!! I have made a great group of friends and it wouldn’t have been so easy had it not been for the activities that we participated in with the exchange program managed here on campus. It’s run mostly by students and they really get to know you and are extremely helpful.

When deciding where to study abroad I never really payed attention to the program provided for me as an exchange student. I focused on the location, of course, but also making sure that the Uni. had the courses I need. However, now that I am here I feel it is very important to take into consideration the exchange program on campus. You want a place that will make it feel like you have a home away from home. And so far that is exactly how I feel here in Turkey!!!

Today we had a trip too Ataturk’s Mausoleum. It was amazing to hear the history of Turkey. Here are some photos, enjoy!(: