Berkley Center

I just recently began the fall semester abroad program at the McGhee Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies in Alanya, Turkey. My time here in Turkey so far has been incredible and, unfortunately, feels like it is going by too fast. One of the most fascinating parts of my experience to this point has been learning about something JYAN is explicitly concerned with—dynamics between religion, politics and society. Potential topics I intend to write about include, but are not limited to, the legacy of Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) and modern Turkey’s perennial issue of secularism with a Muslim majority, religious minority rights and relations, and/or the social significance of Turkey’s running EU bid.

As any historian, anthropologist, and political scientist will attest, Turkey is a hotbed of fascinating religious, political, and social dynamics. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to relay my observations and humble understandings of this truly compelling country through JYAN.