DMaxC

Hi everyone, I came to Bogazici University in Istanbul as an exchange student in September 2010, in my last year of college. I was planning on just staying for one semester, then going back to the US to finish my degree. Then I decided to stay a second semester, and found out I could still graduate on time if I just went back to US in July to take some summer classes. Basically, I have absolutely fallen in love with this country. I've made so many good friends and I fit into the culture so well, I actually consider myself much more Turkish than American now (completely serious). I am

sunny - that's a good point I didn't think of, but I really can't buy this "beard as Islamist or "Eastern" thing as a rational excuse any more, 80 years later. For example, how many Turkish pop singers do you see with facial hair or beards? A lot, actually, which proves that this society considers beards cool and attractive, but for some reason bosses in the country do not. Lucid - thank you for responding, but what do you mean when you say "I think your 1st 2 lists seem pretty correct" - do you think that even private companies, doctors, lawyers, and teachers are not allowed goatees or sideb

Well, after living as a college student in Istanbul for 6 months, I can really say that I've completely fallen in love with Turkish culture, have made many Turkish friends, and am seriously considering moving here after I graduate. (and learning Turkish fluently and getting a nice job.) Gerçekten, Turk olmak istiyorum.There is just one thing that absolutely drives me crazy about Turkish society though. It seems really stupid at first glance, but I think it is indicative of a lot of bigger problems. None of my Turkish friends understand why I am so obsessed with it, but I quickly found out just

Hi everyone, I'm an exchange student currently studying abroad in Istanbul. I have made some great Turkish friends here and I have learned a lot about Islam from then in the past few months. We have had some great discussions and I've really learned a lot about this beautiful religion from them. I know this is a long shot, but does anyone know if there any mosques in Istanbul with English-speaking Imams OR, even better, anywhere where Imams give sermons out in English? I would really like to try going to one and actually understanding what's being said. =)Thanks so much to anyone who can help