Report

Initially, when I was invited to do my internship in Turkey, I was a little apprehensive. I thought, "What would a girl from the concrete jungles of Philadelphia do in Turkey, where she knew no one and could not even speak the language?" But now, at the end of my trip, I wonder what would have happened had I not gone.

I have just spent three months on the other side of the world, in a country where I did not speak the language, surrounded by people who remind me so much of myself, my friends and my family. I do not think that I understood how connected we all were before this summer. The Coca-Cola World Citizenship Program at University of Florida gave me the opportunity to experience a new culture and in doing so, I was able to develop a better understanding of my future role as a citizen of the world.

As an intern, I worked for UNICEF-Turkey in the Health and Nutrition Section. The country program in Turkey has a life-cycle approach and focuses on early childhood care and development, adolescent development, and protection and social mobilization. My main task was to research programs to combat childhood/motherhood deficiencies in Vitamin A, iodine, and iron. Any information I found, could potentially be used to improve existing programs or start new initiatives. I also helped organize a presentation on the State of AIDS in Turkey.

At UNICEF, I met people from all over the world who worked in a single office that supported the entire country program. I had the opportunity to interact with other UNICEF interns from many different countries. I was also introduced to the inner workings of an non-government organization (NGO) that supported the whole country.

After office hours, I was able to explore Ankara, Turkey. It was amazing how familiar a city on the other side of the world felt. I wandered for hours with my new friends, seeing the museums and exploring the various sites. And, since Ankara is the capital, I met people from all over the world. Some were visitors like me; others worked for some of the other UN departments. I saw the health-baby programs and learned about how Turkey has improved since UNICEF was installed.

One of the most memorable experiences I had was a visit to the 1999 Earthquake Area. On August 17th and November 12th of the same year, Turkey experienced two massive earthquakes which displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Now, two years later they are still in the process of rebuilding. UNICEF was there during this emergency, as were many other government and non-government agencies. They helped to construct prefabricated cities that sheltered thousands and they provided emotional support and implemented programs to help both parents and children as they dealt with the loss of their loved ones.

Currently, the two most important projects of UNICEF, dealing with adolescent youth in the prefabricated cities are the Agustos newspaper and the Yeni Meydan Sahnesi The latter is a private, Ankara-based youth theatre group that has trained youth in the art of drama in seven different prefabricated city youth centers in the provinces of Bolu, Düzce, Kocaeli, and Yalova.

The activities of the theatre group helped the youth affected by the earthquake to regain their confidence, trust, and belief in a positive future. Under the guidance of Yeni Meydan Sahnesi, the young actors and actresses are taught basic theatre skills and have given public performances in festivals. The youth centers are located within the prefabricated cities in the provinces of Bolu, Düzce, Yalova, Kocaeli, and Adapazar.

While I was in the Earthquake Area, I was able to spend a week in a prefabricated house and talk with UNICEF staff in the field office in the Uzunçiftlik prefabricated city. In the field, and at the office, I also had a chance to interact with the Psycho-social development group who trained school counselors as to how to deal with children after the earthquake. Through another intern studying translation and interpretation, I also had the opportunity to talk to some of the children in the area. I was afforded the opportunity to see a play written and directed by the younger survivors of the disaster.

I think that the one week that I spent there was one of the most profound of my life. First, to see the happiness and hope written on the faces of the children from this area. Second, to know what most people lost was beyond my imagination and to understand how resilient the struggle to survive is. I will never forget this experience.

Based on the experience I had during summer 2001, I would definitely recommend this program to other students. I believe that the opportunity to see new places is one that no one should pass up. Also, I feel that the friends I made during the summer have definitely enriched my life. The opportunity to travel is an experience I think everyone should have. During the summer, I was introduced to many people. They gave me a better perspective about who I am as a member of the Global Community."

Photo Gallery

My birthday celebration at the UNICEF Ankara Office. L>R WCP intern, Eric Minzenberg, the UNICEF Acting Country Representative, and personnel from the Health and Nutrition Department, as well as the Education and Child Protection Department.

Going away celebration for the Psycosocial Development Group. They helped educate school counselors during the earthquake.

"Clay pot garden" outside of the Museum of Annatolian Civilizations.

Two different restaurants (and below) in Vlus City, Ankara Province which served traditional Turkish food. This owner prepares typical lamb kebabs.

Relaxing, we sit on the floor and eat with our hands in traditional manner.

The wonderful architecture of a train station in Istanbul, Turkey.

In the underground city in Kappadocia, Turkey. Here, hundreds of years ago, persecuted Christians built their houses and lived their lives within natural stone walls.

Houses, churches and a monastry at Kappadocia, Turkey.