By Simon Dubravik
Triangle Contributing Writer
Two years ago, the number of Turkish students at Wingate University was just one. Now the number has grown to eight. It might be a small community, but that group is becoming part of the university’s identity—united by culture, sports and the opportunity to study abroad.
For all of these students, athletics was the reason they came to Wingate. Five are triathletes, two are swimmers and one plays tennis.
“I liked the sports and the environment and education outside of sports,” said Arda Unal, a sophomore from Sakarya, Turkey, on the men’s triathlon team.
Ruya Coskun, a freshman from Balikesir, chose Wingate mostly because of the opportunities in academics and triathlon the university provides for its student-athletes. Bahar Gursu, a sophomore from Istanbul, came because she wanted to experience living in a different country and to continue swimming while also pursuing her degree.
Derya Ulucay, a junior from Antalya, said the decisive factor was the university’s top-ranked women’s triathlon program, which won its first national championship last year. “I was researching a good team, and Wingate had very competitive results,” she said. “I also received very good academic and athletic scholarships that eventually made my decision easier.”
As more Turkish students arrived, bonds were formed that make Wingate feel a little more like home.
“It is actually a good thing that Turkish students come every year,” Unal said. “Even though I am so far from my country, when I’m with Turks, I feel like I am at home.”
Gursu, who competes in the individual medley events for the swim team, appreciates the Turkish presence on campus as well. “It is nice to see someone from my country and [to] help each other with everything,” she said.
However, some students do not feel as much unity.
“I personally do not feel a strong sense of community with other Turkish students,” Ulucay said. “I am ethnically Kurdish, which makes my relationship with other Turks more complicated. Turkey represents a wide range of cultures and languages, and I do not really share the same values as most people from my country.”
Although the trend of Turkish people arriving at Wingate is mostly driven by athletics and scholarship opportunities, the economic situation in Turkey has also played a role.
“Turkey has been experiencing economic turmoil for the last six years,”Ulucay said. “Many of my friends have fled Turkey to seek better opportunities abroad.”
Even though many of the Turks come from different parts of the country, they all want to represent their culture and country positively on campus. “Although we cannot teach everything, I try to share our food and a few Turkish words,” Unal said.
Coskun hopes other Wingate students will notice the differences and realize that not all Turkish people are the same and that they can be open-minded and hard-working. Gursu would like her classmates to know more about Turkish food and how friendly Turks can be.
From sports teams to classrooms, the growth of the Turkish community proves that Wingate is becoming more global each year. And as these students live far from their homes, they build another home on this campus where they bring a piece of their culture, language and perspective that enriches the campus.
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