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Armine

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I know a young armenian girl (21/22) who has to travel over the summer in order to learn Turkish. After doing an extensive amount of research she discovered that elemenatry turkish is only offered in two places, one is in Ohio the other is in Istanbul. If she had a choice she would attend UCLA, but it is not offered there, infact it is not offered in California in general, or any other state except Ohio. While reaseraching she disovered that without living and travel expences Ohio costs 6,500 dollars for 6 weeks of instruction. In contrast the same deal in Turkey costs 2,500. She has opportunties to recieve scholarships, if Ohio state fully covers the tutition, she will most likely go there, but if not then she just might have to travel to Istanbul.

Now that I have provided the scenario I want to know what everyone thinks about a young armenian girl traveling to Istanbul to learn Turkish. Is this a problem? Is this dangerous? Is it dangerous if she takes someone older with her? What if she gets scholarships from both places, what should she do? Should she be scared to study in Turkey even though it comes free, in sense, due to scholarships and grants. Keep in mind that this University is accepting of armenians, and openly speaks about the Genocide. Richard Hovanissian has even been there. Also, her professor from U.S. will also be there reasearching.I would appreciate any feedback.

p.s. I dont want to anger anyone , I just want to see how different people view this topic. :)

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Why does she want to study Turkish?

 

I do think it may be suspicious, maybe not threatned, but they may think that the reason why she wants to learn Turkish is to study Turkish materials for the advancement of the Armenian causes.

 

Imagine a Turk studying in a Turkish univercity like Bogasici etc. that decides to leave for the university of Yerevan to learn Armenian.

 

If they think that, they won't be wrong, afteral, why an Armenian would want to learn Turkish if it isn't for that? I want to learn Turkish as well, and the reason is because I do want to read Turkish materials that has to do with the Armenian "question."

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Why does she want to study Turkish?

 

I do think it may be suspicious, maybe not threatned, but they may think that the reason why she wants to learn Turkish is to study Turkish materials for the advancement of the Armenian causes.

 

Imagine a Turk studying in a Turkish univercity like Bogasici etc. that decides to leave for the university of Yerevan to learn Armenian.

 

If they think that, they won't be wrong, afteral, why an Armenian would want to learn Turkish if it isn't for that? I want to learn Turkish as well, and the reason is because I do want to read Turkish materials that has to do with the Armenian "question."

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

 

why the hell would anyone want to go to turkey or learn turkish?

I mean, I was interested in french and italian and I learned them. but turkish, why?

 

I mean if your are learning turkish to be a spy & intercept their communications on them, then "you go girl!"

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

people, get real...

 

http://www.ysu.am

http://www.ysu.am/orient.html

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Let me claify some things.

 

 

1. Yerevan state university and American univ of Armenian are not offereing turish courses in the SUMMER.

 

2. The reason why she wants to learn it is because it is cruicial to her studies in graduate school and her dissertation to get the PhD.

 

3. As far as men and love goes, this trip is for academic purposes. The course is very intensive, its 5-6 hourse of study a day in class, then study at home, who in the world would make time for anything else. The only social option she has is to go see Hagia Sophia or Topkapi Palace on some weekend if she has time. This is a educational trip men are out of the question, especcially men from that country. How could she be attracted to the decendents of those who killed her forefathers, has anyone thought about that? The individual might be a great person, but history had its effects on human relations. And yes I know we can't judge a person by the race (this is a whole other topic), but in this case to make my point clear, this trip is for eduactional purposes, all jokes aside. :agree:

 

4. The course has to be from an accredited univerity.

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  • 4 weeks later...
As my grandfather used to say: “INCHKAN LEZU GITES, ENKAN MARD ES!”. Plus, more u know about your enemy, stronger u are against him/her/it. So, my opinion is, STUDY THE LANGUASE, it might be more useful than u or anyone else can imagine. But about going to Turkey… I get very scared even just hearing the name “Turkey” or “turk” or anything likewise, and I know I am overreacting, but I am really really scared to go there, and just can’t recommend any girl to go there. Just scared. If she goes, please tell her to be extra-careful. GOOD LUCK!
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based on my own experience those 6-hr a day crash courses in a foreign language are a waste of time and money. the ideal scenario would be to study turkish for a year or two at a normal pace at ucla, berkeley, whatever, allowing the intricacies of turkish grammar and sentence structure to sink in (remember it's not an indo-european language) and then try going to turkey/istanbul to immerse yourself in the natural speaking environment. i mean, if she has no family or contacts there, and is going there with zero knowledge of the language, than how will she be able to get around or sort out problems? i took modern and ottoman turkish in college, and let's just say it's not a language you learn in two months.

 

there's one more thing to consider, more important than anything else, which is: she better know her stuff, as far as the armenian related events in turkish history go. it might be an armenian-friendly university (i think you are being optimistic though, btw is it sabanci?), but if i were her i would make sure i was prepared to defend myself against people who will do everything to try to debunk armenian claims. if she's not up to the task she could end up doing more bad than good. some of the turks i knew in college were pretty relentless.

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turkey/istanbul to immerse yourself in the natural speaking environment

 

 

:) no need to go to istambul :ap: all you need is 2 or 3 Hr e day in DawnTawn LA - 5th and Hill - you will fill your self like in Bazar of Istambul

 

i say teh silk road ends in DawnTawn LA

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