Sultan

Cities lived — Izmir, Antalya, Nijmegen, Berlin

Time in Berlin — 6 months. I came to Germany to do my Master’s Degree in Philosophy. In Turkey there is no room for questioning or thinking differently. You must fit the current conservative standard. I grew up in an atheist family of two teachers who had to experience a lot of pressure because of their political views. I grew up thinking that I should to hide my knowledge and opinions. As a woman and a philosophy student you feel constant pressure. This fear made me feel like an outsider in my own country.

Profession — I want to have an academic career in philosophy. I’m especially interested in the mind and the brain, ethics and philosophy in relation to culture and technology. Later in life I want to be a teacher but first I have to be sure I’m ready for it. Being a teacher is a great responsibility — they are shaping lives.

Passion — As a child I was always asking questions and as a teenager I was always questioning things. In high school I had an inspiring teacher who introduced me to philosophy. I enjoy asking questions, learning new things, tricking the mind, diving into theories and finding truth. My other passion is music — it feeds your soul and connects people.

Best in Berlin — For me this city is about growth and freedom. In Berlin you are free. You can wear and say what you want. You can talk with strangers, you can express your opinions, you can walk freely and live liberal. In Berlin you will meet a lot of different people and learn that they can all touch your heart. Here you can be different and still belong.

My grandfather spent 25 years working in Europe. He is my hero — he always understood and encouraged me. When I kept questioning my own culture, he said I should start traveling because a person who has experienced cultural differences personally can truly understand the perspectives of both their own and other cultures.

Bad in Berlin — I often feel I have to explain myself. People feel confused when they find out I’m a Turkish atheist and a philosophy student. Many people seem to believe that all Turkish people are fanatic Muslims. Actually there are over 5.5 million atheists in Turkey.

In German culture you have to stand out and aim to be the best. Here I started to learn new kind of competitiveness — you have to focus on your goals and not be too passionate. That’s the dark side of individuality. I miss my family, the sun and the culture of smiling to strangers.

Tip — Be kind to people. In Berlin everyone has a story and a mask. They are all fighting for something. Big cities are not easy on anyone.

If you arrive from another culture that taught you that being different is bad — here you will learn it’s freedom. Embrace the difference and don’t refuse the freedom. We must learn to share with other cultures. Amongst our own culture we easily become blind and arrogant. Let Berlin train your personality.