Adjusting to life in Türkiye was not easy. The language barrier was my first major challenge. Despite my initial confidence from studying Turkish online, I quickly realized that my knowledge was still limited. I continued my C1 Turkish and Academic Turkish studies face-to-face at AYBU DİLMER, which helped bridge the gap, but there were still moments of difficulty. I remember the first time I tried to order food at a local restaurant, only to end up with a completely different dish than what I had expected. My early days were filled with awkward interactions, misunderstandings, and moments of frustration.

Beyond the language, social norms and daily customs were different from what I was accustomed to in Nigeria. I learned that Turkish people had a strong tea culture, something I came to appreciate over time. In Nigeria, tea was not a central part of social life, but in Türkiye, I quickly discovered that offering tea (çay) was a sign of hospitality. I recall an instance when I politely declined tea at a local shop, only to realize later that it was almost considered impolite to do so. It was through these small yet significant cultural differences that I began to understand the depth of Turkish hospitality.

With time, I began to adapt and integrate into my new environment. Determined to overcome the language barrier, I practiced daily with my classmates and local friends. I started watching the series Diriliş Ertuğrul (Resurrection: Ertuğrul), a TV show that delves into the life of Ertuğrul, the father of Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire. The language used in the series is classical Turkish. Without realizing it, I was using the same Turkish while interacting with my peers at the university. I soon noticed that Turkish people were either surprised or smiling whenever I spoke. It was similar to how English speakers in the UK might react if someone today started speaking in Shakespearean English. One of my most memorable experiences was during Ramadan. Although I had observed Ramadan in Nigeria, experiencing it in Türkiye was entirely different. The sense of community, the calls to prayer echoing through the streets, and the long iftar tables set up for strangers to share a meal were heartwarming. A Turkish family invited me to their home for iftar, and their kindness left a lasting impression on me. It was at that moment that I truly felt a sense of belonging. One of the cultural shocks I experienced was the Turkish people’s love for lemon. Back in Nigeria, I had only ever used lemon as medicine, but here, they were adding it to almost everything. Raw lemon! It wasn’t just lemon, though. They also used turşu (pickled vegetables) and yoğurt in almost every meal, something I wasn’t used to at all. 

Another surprise was the way salad is eaten in Türkiye. In Nigeria, salads are often mixed with mayonnaise or some kind of dressing, but here, they eat it raw with just lemon and olive oil. At first, I couldn’t get used to it, but over time, I slowly adjusted. However, I still sometimes miss the way we prepare it back home.   I should also mention Ayran. When my friends and I first arrived, we all hated Ayran because it tasted so bland to us. It was just salty, watery yogurt, nothing like the sweet, creamy drinks we were used to. However, over time, and to our own surprise, we eventually got used to it and even started enjoying it!

Slowly, the streets of Ankara that once felt foreign became familiar. I grew accustomed to the sounds of daily life, the bustling markets, the street vendors calling out to customers, and the ever-present aroma of simit and döner filling the air.