What they have Learnt

With its unique location across Asia and Europe, Turkey is well-known for its rich culture and heritage from the Ottoman Empire. Yet, for a 20-year-old youngster from Hong Kong, Turkey is still a far-away place in my imagination. The 13-day Delegation to Turkey organised by the Rotaract Club, HKU Students’ Union, provided a wonderful opportunity for me to explore the other part of the world and learn about the Islamic culture. We visited two cities in Turkey, Istanbul and Izmir, and were warmly received by the Rotaractors there.

Izmir is the city where the Ephesus and Agora, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, are located. We visited a local hospital which treated young children suffering from different illnesses. It was extremely memorable because, we could spread our care and love to the less fortunate thousands miles away and across continents. In Istanbul, I had a traditional Turkish meal with local Rotaractors. Throughout the night, we had an in-depth cultural sharing and personal interactions.

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This first acquaintance with Muslims and differences in diet helped me fully experience the true meaning of cultural sensitivity and diversity. I miss the astonishing scenery of Turkey, the rich history of the Ottoman Empire and all the delicious food there. After all, I hope the hospitality of the Turkish people and the friendship that we built will take me a step further to promote cultural harmony.