It is officially December, which means the semester is coming to an end! I will continue to be in Turkey, but I know you will all be changing classes soon. I hope you enjoyed learning more about this wonderful country and hearing from me, my friend, Anthony, and my student, Hayrunnisa. During our time together, we explored the environment, history and my travels around Turkey. I have truly loved answering your questions and sharing my life with you all.
Since my last update, I also had the opportunity to travel to Tbilisi, Georgia, one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. The city blends European and Asian styles and cultures while still carrying clear reminders of the Soviet era. While there, I met up with my Georgian friend, Barbare, a university student in Tbilisi whom I met through my internship with the Department of State. I learned a great deal about Georgian culture and politics, including the fact that 20% of the country is currently occupied by Russia. Before traveling there, I had no idea how much of this small nation remained under Russian control. It was both fascinating and heartbreaking, and it has made me feel an even stronger responsibility to advocate for smaller Eurasian countries facing similar challenges.
