Sarah Eyd

After three weeks in Istanbul, I never got sick of waking up hearing the Islamic call to prayer in the breezy summer air. The beauty of the city, from amazing graffiti murals to the natural wonder of the Bosphorus, is enough to inspire any writer. The diversity of cultures, people (and cats!) in this city makes it a perfect place to be a journalist. Because my focus was food writing, I had the privilege of interviewing five-star chefs, cooking teachers and culinary managers. I saw a side of Turkey not often portrayed in Western media and feel so lucky that I get to share my experiences through writing for Transitions Abroad! I learned so much about food, culture and religion during my time here. However, the most important thing I learned from this trip is to be present and approach every situation with an open mind and a desire to learn.