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Turkey Diversity Climate Notes Turkey Diversity Climate Notes *** WELCOME TO TURKEY The Diversity Network’s Country Diversity Notes provide readily accessible summaries of country- specific information on potential challenges for students who are from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in study abroad programs. The notes were created to facilitate the ability of study abroad professionals to find a good country fit for prospective study abroad students who are uncertain of how they will be received abroad because of their race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, religion or disability. The Turkey diversity note, below, features a country overview as well as information pertinent to the climate of respect that U.S. students of diverse backgrounds can reasonably expect while living in the country. It also offers bulleted information noting facts that may directly relate to student experiences in the country. Links for students to pursue additional information resources on the various topics are also offered. While the note provides a bird’s-eye view of diversity matters in the country as they pertain to U.S. students, the country information found in the note is not exhaustive. Advisors should use the information contained below in collaboration with faculty and staff who have experience in the particular country, returned study abroad students who are able and feel comfortable to discuss their own observations of diversity in the country, and the advisor’s own knowledge. COUNTRY OVERVIEW Turkey is a nation that is known for its strategic geographic location, quite literally where East meets West. It connects Europe to Asia and plays a significant role in contemporary Middle Eastern politics. In addition to its location, Turkey has a strong emerging economy and an increasing number of diplomatic initiatives, which have offered the citizens of the country a sense of stability and security. In 2005, Turkey joined the European Union and has seen a large growth in the number of tourists who visit the country. The largest cities in Turkey include Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Bursa, which have many of the creature comforts that other big cities around the world enjoy. Students studying in the larger cities will see similar amenities that they are used to in the U.S., though there will be clear distinctions that make Turkish cities different including the daily calls to prayer that are announced over loud speakers in most city squares. Though the country has a secular government that separates church and state, the influences of Islam can be seen in most parts of the country. The cities tend to be more liberal and with greater influence from the west than more rural areas. The country has a rich and diverse history that has contributed the unique culture of the country. With influences from the west, east, and Middle East, Turkey not only has great natural attractions, there are also a number of historical, religious, and modern sites that students can visit including the Fairy Chimneys in Cappadocia, the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, and Istanbul Cevahir – the biggest mall in Europe. *** ETHNIC MINORITIES IN TURKEY Potential Considerations for Students of Color The ethnic make-up of Turkey is relatively homogenous even as immigration to the country has increased in the last several decades. Additionally, there are pockets of the country that have a rich history of Turks of African descent that can trace lineage back to the Ottoman Empire. As with any nation that has relatively small ethnic minority populations, students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds may find that their presence attracts attention they may not receive in the U.S. For example, Black or African American students may receive stares and questions about where they are from. Many U.S. ethnically diverse students find themselves defending their American-ness as many people in Turkey have their own idea of what Americans should look like. Students may receive questions about their nationality or ethnic background. In general, visitors to Turkey have indicated that most comments, stares, and questions are offered out of curiosity rather than offense. Additional Links: • A Black Student Journalist Discovers in Turkey Her Color is Her Story • American Minority Students Defy “Typical American” Clichés in Turkey • Black Turks / Afro Turks *** SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN TURKEY Potential Considerations for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender Students As is the case in many countries, the larger cities in Turkey tend to have a more open and tolerant attitude toward individuals who identify as LGBTQ. There were active LGBTQ organizations in at least As is the case in many countries, the larger cities in Turkey tend to have a more open and tolerant attitude toward individuals who identify as LGBTQ. There were active LGBTQ organizations in at least seven cities in the country: Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Adana, Eskisehir, and Diyarbakir. Though the country has laws and policies that allow these organizations to operate in the country, many people and organizations from the gay and lesbian community have reported continued harassment from the local authorities and sometimes from local businesses, especially for transgender individuals. Even with a history of intolerance, the climate is improving. In the last two years Ankara and Istanbul have seen Gay Pride and anti-homophobia parades with large turnouts of locals and foreigners that have had few incidents. Public gatherings without or with little presence of foreigners, however, have involved incidences of disruption and violence. Additional Links: • U.S. Department of State Human Rights 2010 Report *** PHYSICAL DISABILITY IN TURKEY Potential Considerations for Students with Disabilities The law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, education, access to health care, and other state services. However, since the government only recently mandated that businesses and public transportation provide accommodations for people with physical disabilities access in most places, including cities, is extremely limited. Students should expect restricted mobility. Additionally, services and care for individuals with non-physical disabilities are limited. The country has made strides in the past several years, however, and accessibility has improved even if it has been slow. Additional Links: • Turkish Streets Remain Inaccessible to Persons with Disabilities • Turkey’s Many Disabled, Long Shunned By Society, Play New Role in Politics *** RELIGION IN TURKEY Potential Considerations for Religious Students Nearly 99% of the Turkish population is Muslim. Of that, approximately one-third of the population reports that they are not religious though this still identify with Muslim traditions. Turkey does has a tradition of secularism within government the last decade has seen an increasingly conservative influence in local and federal politics. The division between church and state remains in place, though visitors can expect to hear and see public expressions of the Muslim faith including the call to prayer announced publicly over loudspeaker. Christian, Jewish, and other religions represent a very small portion of the population. There are Christian churches and Synagogues located in many cities and numerous historical sites representing the once strong presence of Christianity in the country. Less than 1% of the population identifies as atheist, and the topic of atheism is rarely discussed. Christian, Jewish and Baha’i communities in Turkey have reported cases of suspicion and mistrust, and in some cases of anti-Semitic sentiments, though these cases are not reported in all parts of the country. The constitution has put in place religious and moral instruction in most schools determined primarily by the Ministry of National Education’s Department of Religious Instruction. Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Jewish religious foundations are the only groups that can operate schools under the supervision of the Education Ministry and are the only groups protected with religious minority status. With the recent unrest in the region stemming from controversial depictions of the Muslim faith in Western nations (i.e. video from the U.S. and cartoons in Europe depicting caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad), students of any faith from the U.S. may find themselves engaged in difficult conversations about religion. Notes: • Students who do not identify with a particular religious group may receive questions about what they believe. • Muslim students may be asked about their nationality and may find themselves defending their American-ness. Additional Links: • U.S. Department of State International Religious Freedom Report for 2011: Turkey *** WOMEN IN TURKEY Potential Considerations for Female Students Turkish women enjoy many of the same freedoms that women in Western nations do. Women hold political office and are represented higher-level positions in the private sector. As is the trend globally, men still traditionally hold most high official positions in all sectors of the economy. Though some women choose to wear hijabs or head scarves, it is prohibited by law to wear either in government buildings or universities. Some women who were visiting the country have reported incidences of harassment in the form of whistling and staring, but few women have reported cases of violence. In general, women are expected to dress modestly though in the major cities the way women dress is very similar to any international city. Additional Links: • Journey Women: What Should I Wear? • Travel Planner: What Women Wear in Turkey *** FAST FACTS: TURKEY Capital: Ankara Population: 79,749,461 Language(s): Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews) Ethnic groups: Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7-12% (2008 est.) .
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