First Day of School

My First Day of School

Ok, many differences about the first day of school in Turkey…..I will tell about my day in chronological order, making commentary along the way. Enjoy!

On the first day, it is customary for Turkish schools to begin late. Unlike our schools, they do not go through their day of school but rather have a day of ceremony, speeches, and rejoining with friends. School normally starts at 8:15 am but today, we had to be to school by 10:30am for the opening ceremony. My host sister woke me up at 8:30am to get ready. She was anxious to get to school to meet her friends. It took me a good couple minutes to get out of bed. The first Azan woke me up early in the morning and I never fell back into a deep sleep. Needless to say, with my groggy appearence I did not feel very pretty for the first day. The heat and uniform did not make it any better.
Before getting dressed, we had breakfast. Even though it was a school day, we had the normal Turkish breakfast of bread, cheese, fresh tomatoes and cucumber, tea, and eggs. After that, I brushed my teeth and begrudgingly donned my new uniform, which I had so lovingly laid down on a chair the night before in preparation for the first day. As my host sister and I put on our shoes, my host mother snapped some candid pictures on her camera. Then, some posed pictures of my host sister and I, and me by myself in my new uniform (I put my glasses on too…just for the effect. Ha!)
On the first morning of school, there are no busses, so my host sister and I took a taxi. My host mother waved goodbye to us from our balcony. I was feeling butterflies as we got out of the taxi. Looking at all the students, I grabbed my host sister’s arm and let out a little squeal. I realized all the people I was about to see would be speaking TURKISH! I laughed all the way to the gate.
Entering the school courtyard, I found myself amid a myriad of students of all different ages, parents, and school officials. We arrived at school around 9:30am. Plenty of time for me to stand smiling as my host sister introduced me to friends. Gradually, the courtyard filled with people. I figured out it was time for the ceremony when all of the sudden, I was moved by a mass flow of people heading for the athletic court where the ceremony was to be held. We all had to find our class and stand in lines for the Istikal Marsi (Turkish National Anthem). The court was decorated with Eyuboglu and Turkish flags, with a huge banner portraying Ataturk (founder of the Turkish Republic, a practically venerated figure) as the focus point above the speaking podium. Parents filled the spectator’s benches to watch and listen to the speeches. There was a new teacher who gave a speech that earned her some puzzled looks from the parents and board looks and rude commentary from the students. She was from Huston, TX and her speech was an extended comparison of students’ struggles to the struggles of the Cowboys in the Wild West (“Like the cowboys, students face many struggles but always end victoriously…etc. etc.). I noticed that the Turks around me had little context in which to understand this comparison, and I have to say, it was a bit farfetched for my taste too. After all of this, I went over to say hello to the vice principal. She walked me back to my class line, introduced me to my classmates and teacher, and placed me in the care of a student. He introduced himself as Unus, and then proceeded to tell me that his name meant “dolphin” in English. I had a hard time remembering his name; I could only remember dolphin. Actually, I have noticed that I have a hard time remembering most Turkish names. They are hard names; they are unfamiliar and therefore, easily escape my mind. This is a strange feeling for me, because I have always been good with names. When I got home from school, I recited all the names I could remember (which was only 4!). I hope that I will remember them tomorrow!
I was placed in the 12th grade IB science. Um, lets repeat: IB SCIENCE. I did not realize that when I requested to be placed in IB English, that I would be placed in the entire IB science track. Ouch. There was only 5 people in my class today, including me. I was the only female. About half of our class is excused from school for the first two weeks because they are taking extra classes at a University in order to prepare for their college entrance exams. I will be missing the next two weeks as well: I have my Turkish language camp! My day in class was spent listening to my male Turkish classmates rock out to music and speak rapidly in their native tongue. Unus did not translate much for me, saying mostly, “soon, you will understand”. I was surprised to see two of the boys draw all over their desks (guitar chords and little doodles), and even on the wall without earning more than a look from the teacher. As strict as the rules might be here, there seems to still be a “kids will be kids” mentality that allows students to perhaps get away with more than what would usually be as considered mature and age appropriate behavior. The English of the IB students is quite advanced, but most tire easily of speaking English and prefer to speak Turkish. English is the language of school and Turkish is the language of social activity. I know if I want to make friends and keep them, I must learn Turkish. I could survive without it, but would have quite a miserable time. I learned quickly not to expect to be approached. This school community is very much in contact with foreigners as well, especially Brits and Americans, so people were generally not astonished to learn that I was an American exchange student. Most were more surprised to learn that I was not Turkish! Several people turned to me, speaking Turkish. Even with my confused looks and non-answers, it took people a good few seconds to catch on to the fact that I had no idea what they were saying! However, I met some very nice people, mostly in other classes. The people in my class were not too warm or welcoming. Not that they were unfriendly, they just seemed used to having an exchange student around and therefore did not give me much attention. I met Tiffany; she is the other Rotary Exchange student from Florida, a grade below me. I spent a portion of my lunch hour with her, and two other Eyuboglu students. I felt especially welcomed by 3 female students and one male student; I just wish I could remember their names!
The order of classes in Turkish schools change every day, so I will not outline my schedule. However, these are the classes I am signed up for: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, English, and Turkish Literature. These classes are a combination of single and double periods, depending on the day. Classes that I have once a week are: Theory of Knowledge (and IB course) and Philosophy. My Turkish school is set up so that students in the science track take all three sciences every year. Since IB requires a more intensive course load, my classes continue until past regular dismissal. Mondays are the longest days. Tomorrow, I will be looking at the textbooks so that I can talk to the IB coordinator about modifying my schedule. However, I am concerned for how the Regents science courses I took at SOTA may or may not have prepared me for science at Eyuboglu. The same goes for math. I hear that it is much more advanced than in the states. Possible classes that I might take in place of a science and/or Turkish literature are Italian and English (assistant teaching an English class for the younger grades). I may also be granted a study period in the library, especially because the college counselor has instructed me to study more for my SATs since she is having me take them again. She says that I need to raise my math score.
The last speech of the day was given by a guest speaker: the head Astronomy professor at Istanbul University. It was quite long and I did not understand much, but my time passed easier sitting next to one on my classmates, Orcan. Every time I heard a Turkish word that I understood, I excitedly whispered it into his ear. I learned he was a singer and also liked to act. He had struck me as full of himself before, but talking to him was not that bad. I missed the warm hospitality of the female students I sat with at lunch though.
The end of the day came quickly. My host sister came up to my class to get me, and we walked outside to catch our bus. Let me tell you, along with the porcelain dining wear and metal silverware at lunch, the busses also reminded me that I was indeed at a private school, and not at SOTA anymore. The busses were not at all like the school or city busses that we use in Rochester. They are more like vans. They sit about 15 students, and have really nice interiors. The upholstery was clean and unworn, the windows had curtains, and the driver was friendly and knew everyone’s name. There were A LOT of these busses, since students come from all over Istanbul. I feel bad for the students who live on the European side and have to deal with the traffic crossing over the bridge! They had strange numbers too; my bus number was 52L. What? Part of tuition goes toward a shorter ride home, because that was the shortest and most tailored bus ride I had ever been on in my life. NOTHING like the loud, overcrowded city busses that took me home from SOTA for so many years. The first thing I did when I got home was change out of my uniform. The shirt and skirt are made of heavy material, thus accounting for my rosy and glistening cheeks. All in all, a positive first day. It was just very, very different. Very different. It will take some time to get used to the way classes are set up: students do not shift classrooms, and have these 10 minute breaks between every class. And music plays in place of bells. Not to signal that it is time to go to class, but that it is time to start getting ready to enter class…I could fill a page with all sorts of these subtle differences. They seem to be everywhere and come out of nowhere!

Day 2 Thoughts:
Today was a much better day at school. I am starting to feel well liked and well accepted by my fellow students, as well as the teachers and staff. There were only three of us in class today! I went to the library to look at my science textbooks…all I could do was laugh. I do not remember biology; I lack the sufficient background for chemistry and physics. I only recognized 3-4 diagrams! But, again, I will not be taking all of these classes, or may only be in class some of the time. And, it is up to me the degree with which I would like to participate. That means that I can participate, but may not have to do the intensive IB lab reports. I fell that having a lighter academic load will be more productive for my exchange year. That way, I will not be a slave to my studies. It seems to me that being a slave to school would not be the best way to spend my year abroad. I do not want to sacrifice socializing, getting to know the people of Turkey, nor would I like to miss out on Istanbul, with its rich history and unique culture. I believe Rotary would support this opinion.
I met my philosophy teacher today. Philosophy class is in Turkish, so I will only be observing, at least for now. My teacher did not speak much English, but I still liked him a lot. Unus was so patient and translated for me throughout the day. Unus and Cam (the two boys I was in class with today) joked that they already knew me so well, that they didn’t need to ask me for my answers anymore. I am still waiting to see how Italian will fit into my schedule, but it looks like it will. I may also be tutoring some 6th graders who are struggling in English. The uniform is easy to get used to, and I do have to say that it is easier not to have to think about what to wear.
I will make sure to do an update about school when my schedule is finalized. For now, I am looking forward to meeting all the other Rotary exchange students at orientation this weekend! As always, please comment and share your thoughts. I may not be able to respond individually, but I enjoy reading them a lot! Thinking of you all back home…..and sending you good wishes from where I am.