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Reflections From My Journey to Turkey A Journal from Lena Halboni Two years ago, my sister studied abroad in Turkey. When she came home and told me about her time away and showed me all of her pictures, I was sold. I knew that I wanted to eventually go on the same exact trip. And earlier this year, I did just that. My experience started in Istanbul, where we visited the famous Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, which is a massive, gorgeous space, with intricate gilding and design like nothing I have ever seen before. During our stay in Istanbul, we found ourselves in a little café one evening, and struck up a conversation with the manager and some locals. It was so interesting to hear their stories and learn about the people and culture from their perspective. Next up, we made our way to Cappadocia, located in the southern central region of Turkey. It was like touring an ancient city built into the mountainside. We navigated caves where people who had escaped persecution once lived, and saw how they carved rooms, stairs, benches, and furniture into the space. From there, our mountainside walking adventures continued in Pamukkale, where we got to swim in the hot springs, and then Ephesus, a city of Roman ruins with architectural structures that were incredible. We learned a lot about the history of this area from our tour guide, who offered interesting local perspectives. I never realized until I went on this trip how much Roman influence exists in the country of Turkey. Toward the end of the program, we had some down time, which was great. We went on a boat ride, did some boardwalk shopping, and enjoyed socializing with people on the streets from the bordering countries. I learned so much about other cultures, and really started to feel comfortable talking with people from other parts of the world. This experience has motivated me to travel and see more of the world. When you go to a place you have never been, with people you don't know, you learn a lot about yourself. You don't realize this will be part of your experience until you actually go. It was an amazing program that I will never forget. Making Connections across the Globe Exiting an airplane after a long flight, jet-lagged, hungry, and standing alone in a foreign airport is a fast- track education in problem solving: navigating public transportation, communicating with locals, and learning the social customs. HCC's study abroad program offers students the chance to earn college credit while immersed in the language, society, and culture of a foreign country. Students acquire key perspectives on critical global issues. They rapidly advance their language skills and form valuable new contacts and lasting connections. Recent programs have taken students to Ireland, Bermuda, China, Denmark, France, Turkey, and to key WWII sites in Europe. The programs last two to three weeks and focus on a specific aspect of study to earn college credit. Studying abroad positively influences the career path, world view, and self-confidence of students through educational experiences and experiential learning.