Welcoming The “YES Program” Students: A Journey into Turkish Culture

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On June 25th, 2024, the Yunus Emre Institute in Washington, D.C. hosted a group of students from The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program. The YES Program, administered by the U.S. Department of State, provides high school students with the opportunity to study abroad for one year. This particular group of students was preparing to travel to Türkiye’s cities of Ankara and Izmir. The aim of our orientation was to provide the students with knowledge on Türkiye before they depart.

The day began with an introduction to the Yunus Emre Institute, our mission, and our role in cultural diplomacy and providing the world with knowledge of Türkiye. Then, after offering traditional Turkish tea and snacks, we delivered a presentation on Turkish history, culture, and landmarks, as well as overviews of the cities they will be living in. Afterward, we opened for a Q&A and answered the students’ questions about Türkiye. We also briefed them on important Turkish cultural norms, basic phrases, and Turkish family life. The students were interested in learning about different Turkish foods as well as proper gifts to give to their host families.

Overall, the orientation provided valuable insight for the students for their year in Türkiye. The information provided will allow a smooth transition into Turkish culture for the YES students.