4 Aralık 2025
A Generation Learning Its Roots from Afar
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A Generation Learning Its Roots from Afar
Interview and text by Karaca Erden
This is my first-ever interview. I spent a long time thinking about the questions: “Which topic should I focus on? Whom should I interview?” Eventually, the idea of a generation learning its roots from afar merged with my personal sense of attachment to Türkiye, leading to one central question:
“What does Türkiye mean to those living far from it?”
I wanted to explore the perspectives of people seeing Türkiye from the outside—the positives, the challenges, and the image it carries for them. Once the topic was set, the next step was finding the right interviewee. I immediately thought of a friend living in Egypt. He has been involved in music for years, writes lyrics, and is preparing to share his work with the public. Our previous conversations had always been engaging. I reached out as soon as I decided on the topic, and he gladly accepted.
We conducted the interview remotely, in a calm and relaxed setting.
One of the first things that struck me was how challenging Egypt’s economic situation is compared to Türkiye. Many children begin working at a very young age—something he identified as one of the country’s main difficulties. Although similar situations exist in Türkiye, his emphasis highlighted a specific perspective I hadn’t considered.
He also spoke about past discrimination against people from Türkiye. This seems to have influenced how he carefully selects his social circle, which provided a vivid example of how living abroad shapes one’s experiences.
On the musical side, I noticed how he blends elements of both Turkish and Egyptian cultures. He leans toward rap, and somewhere between the two cultures, he has created a unique style of his own. He also mentioned that he wants to write songs about foreigners living abroad—a remarkable achievement that demonstrates how he incorporates multiple cultures into his art.
When I asked him about the image of Türkiye he carries despite never having lived there, his answer was strikingly insightful. His focus on crime was particularly notable. It is unfortunate that Türkiye is sometimes perceived this way from the outside, because the country is far more than its challenges.
Another point that stood out was his observation about the difficulty newcomers face when trying to integrate into Egypt. This detail sheds light on the psychology of migration.
He described Türkiye’s education system as exhausting. While the system is indeed demanding, this does not make us inherently aggressive. Harsh conditions and economic pressures can create tension, but at heart, Turkish people are warm and calm.
Even so, it is thought-provoking that many people from abroad associate Türkiye first with crime and education. While there are countless aspects to discuss, these impressions dominate the perception of the country. The fact that someone who has lived most of his life abroad and visited Türkiye only twice focuses primarily on these issues is significant.
Despite everything, it was heartening to see his love and respect for Türkiye. He has adapted to both cultures. When I asked him about his future, he said he wants to travel the world. He does not wish to stay rooted in one place, yet he does not want to sever his connection with Türkiye either.
His final words for young people who know Türkiye from afar were short but thought-provoking:
“It is not what it seems. What you see might turn out to be the opposite.”
A weighty yet honest message.
INTERVIEW — “A Generation Learning Its Roots from Afar”
Karaca Erden:
Today, I’m conducting an interview on “A Generation Learning Its Roots from Afar.”
You have roots in Türkiye but moved to Egypt at a very young age.
Your sense of belonging isn’t confined to a single place; it has developed between two countries.
Before we begin, could you tell us a little about yourself in a few sentences?
Razumıhın:
“I’ve been living in Egypt for 22 years. I’m originally from Türkiye—my family is from İzmir, and my parents are from İstanbul.
I’m involved in music, and besides that, I work on various online projects.
I enjoy writing lyrics and poetry; I love reading. I especially enjoy researching philosophy and history.”
Karaca Erden:
You moved to Egypt at a very young age. What do you remember about that period, or what stories did your family share with you?
Razumıhın:
“To be honest, I don’t remember much, but from what I’ve heard, my father came here to study and build a more comfortable life.”
Karaca Erden:
How did growing up in Egypt shape your identity? How would you define yourself?
Razumıhın:
“Being both from here and from Türkiye may sound strange from the outside, but I speak both languages as if they were my native tongues.
Knowing multiple languages broadens your perspective. Even though the cultures are different, experiencing both simultaneously is beautiful.
In Egypt, I usually select friends from among foreigners like me—people from different countries who live here.”
Karaca Erden:
You said your father moved for education and a better life. Did that turn out to be the case? What is living in Egypt like?
Razumıhın:
“For my father, yes. For me, not so much.
I wanted to continue my education in Türkiye, but some problems arose.
Egypt used to discriminate against people from Türkiye for political reasons; it’s not like that now, but economically it’s still far behind.
Nevertheless, people here live happily.”
Karaca Erden:
What did you learn about Türkiye from your family, surroundings, or TV shows? Have you ever visited Türkiye?
Razumıhın:
“I’ve been twice. I learned the language from my family.
I observed how people live through TV shows and my environment.
At first, speaking was difficult, but I overcame that.
To improve my fluency, I turned to music. I love rap.
The way both countries produce music on different themes influenced me, and I started making songs—songs about foreigners living abroad.”
Karaca Erden:
Is there anything you wish you could have experienced in Türkiye?
Razumıhın:
“Everything happens according to fate. I don’t have ‘if only’ moments.
I fight for what I want, and if it doesn’t work out, at least I’ve tried.”
Karaca Erden:
Even though you haven’t seen Türkiye much, what image of it do you carry inside?
Razumıhın:
“I try to contribute to making the country better, even from afar.
I represent myself and my country well.
Education is exhausting; young people face heavy pressure. I hope this improves.
Türkiye is not just a name. I still see traces of the Ottoman era in Egypt—in people, streets…
Yet strangely, there is also some resentment.”
Karaca Erden:
You mentioned that Türkiye’s education system exhausts young people. How do the educational systems of the two countries compare?
Razumıhın:
“Education here is more relaxed. Grades aren’t a problem.
I wanted to study in Türkiye to build a network, improve my Turkish, and access education not available here.
In Egypt, children start working young; many drop out of school. It’s mainly an economic issue.”
Karaca Erden:
You said there used to be discrimination against people from Türkiye in Egypt, and now there is societal resentment. How do you interpret this?
Razumıhın:
“The state imposed discrimination. They wouldn’t give visas; they deported people—especially after 2013.
After the coup, people were silenced. When Türkiye opposed the coup, the public was told that people from Türkiye were bad, even terrorists.
This was particularly instilled in older generations.
Young people, however, love Turkish TV shows; they admire people from Türkiye.
The contrast is exhausting.”
Karaca Erden:
What do you enjoy most about living in Egypt? Could you describe it briefly?
Razumıhın:
“When they see a foreigner, they treat you with respect—this works in my favor.
The food is different, but I enjoy it.
Illiteracy is high.
Cairo is extremely crowded—around 30 million people.
The air is very polluted; there’s no spring or autumn, only summer and winter.
But winter is beautiful. Summer is hot, but not humid.
Being born and raised here is different from arriving later.
Life is difficult but rewarding—something newcomers might not see.”
Karaca Erden:
Looking at Türkiye from afar, what intrigues you the most?
Razumıhın:
“Why are we such an aggressive country?
Violence is widespread. I think it originates in education.
That is my biggest question: Why are we like this?”
Karaca Erden:
If you had grown up in Türkiye, what kind of person do you think you would be?
Razumıhın:
“I honestly haven’t thought about it.”
Karaca Erden:
Would you want to live in Türkiye one day, or does staying in Egypt feel more appropriate?
Razumıhın:
“Neither. I want to travel.
I don’t want to stay in one place.
I want to live in both countries.”
Karaca Erden:
Even though you haven’t seen Türkiye much, do you love your country? Is it possible to love a country without having lived there?
Razumıhın:
“Anyone who doesn’t love their country is a traitor in my eyes.”
Karaca Erden:
What do you think about how today’s young generation forms connections with their homeland, even if their roots are far away?
Razumıhın:
“For us, everywhere is Türkiye.
This place is also our land.
I don’t feel far, but I don’t feel close either—it’s a strange feeling.”
Karaca Erden:
What would you like to say to young people who know Türkiye only from afar?
Razumıhın:
“It is not what it seems. The opposite may be true.”
Karaca Erden:
Thank you for this rich and sincere conversation. Is there anything you’d like to add?
Razumıhın:
“Thank you—truly. Greetings to everyone from 0710 Street.”
After the interview, my strongest impression was how growing between two cultures shapes one’s perspective. Razumıhın’s observations about Türkiye illustrate how young people abroad maintain connections to their roots and shape their identities.
Perceptions formed from afar may diverge from reality, but curiosity and personal attachment keep one’s love for their homeland alive. This interview sheds light not only on an individual story but also on the experience of all young people who maintain a distant connection to Türkiye. One thing is clear: Even when living far from home, young people remain proud of their identity, love and respect their country, and carry that pride openly. Being from Türkiye is an honor, and they never hide it.
Interview and text by Karaca Erden
This is my first-ever interview. I spent a long time thinking about the questions: “Which topic should I focus on? Whom should I interview?” Eventually, the idea of a generation learning its roots from afar merged with my personal sense of attachment to Türkiye, leading to one central question:
“What does Türkiye mean to those living far from it?”
I wanted to explore the perspectives of people seeing Türkiye from the outside—the positives, the challenges, and the image it carries for them. Once the topic was set, the next step was finding the right interviewee. I immediately thought of a friend living in Egypt. He has been involved in music for years, writes lyrics, and is preparing to share his work with the public. Our previous conversations had always been engaging. I reached out as soon as I decided on the topic, and he gladly accepted.
We conducted the interview remotely, in a calm and relaxed setting.
One of the first things that struck me was how challenging Egypt’s economic situation is compared to Türkiye. Many children begin working at a very young age—something he identified as one of the country’s main difficulties. Although similar situations exist in Türkiye, his emphasis highlighted a specific perspective I hadn’t considered.
He also spoke about past discrimination against people from Türkiye. This seems to have influenced how he carefully selects his social circle, which provided a vivid example of how living abroad shapes one’s experiences.
On the musical side, I noticed how he blends elements of both Turkish and Egyptian cultures. He leans toward rap, and somewhere between the two cultures, he has created a unique style of his own. He also mentioned that he wants to write songs about foreigners living abroad—a remarkable achievement that demonstrates how he incorporates multiple cultures into his art.
When I asked him about the image of Türkiye he carries despite never having lived there, his answer was strikingly insightful. His focus on crime was particularly notable. It is unfortunate that Türkiye is sometimes perceived this way from the outside, because the country is far more than its challenges.
Another point that stood out was his observation about the difficulty newcomers face when trying to integrate into Egypt. This detail sheds light on the psychology of migration.
He described Türkiye’s education system as exhausting. While the system is indeed demanding, this does not make us inherently aggressive. Harsh conditions and economic pressures can create tension, but at heart, Turkish people are warm and calm.
Even so, it is thought-provoking that many people from abroad associate Türkiye first with crime and education. While there are countless aspects to discuss, these impressions dominate the perception of the country. The fact that someone who has lived most of his life abroad and visited Türkiye only twice focuses primarily on these issues is significant.
Despite everything, it was heartening to see his love and respect for Türkiye. He has adapted to both cultures. When I asked him about his future, he said he wants to travel the world. He does not wish to stay rooted in one place, yet he does not want to sever his connection with Türkiye either.
His final words for young people who know Türkiye from afar were short but thought-provoking:
“It is not what it seems. What you see might turn out to be the opposite.”
A weighty yet honest message.
INTERVIEW — “A Generation Learning Its Roots from Afar”
Karaca Erden:
Today, I’m conducting an interview on “A Generation Learning Its Roots from Afar.”
You have roots in Türkiye but moved to Egypt at a very young age.
Your sense of belonging isn’t confined to a single place; it has developed between two countries.
Before we begin, could you tell us a little about yourself in a few sentences?
Razumıhın:
“I’ve been living in Egypt for 22 years. I’m originally from Türkiye—my family is from İzmir, and my parents are from İstanbul.
I’m involved in music, and besides that, I work on various online projects.
I enjoy writing lyrics and poetry; I love reading. I especially enjoy researching philosophy and history.”
Karaca Erden:
You moved to Egypt at a very young age. What do you remember about that period, or what stories did your family share with you?
Razumıhın:
“To be honest, I don’t remember much, but from what I’ve heard, my father came here to study and build a more comfortable life.”
Karaca Erden:
How did growing up in Egypt shape your identity? How would you define yourself?
Razumıhın:
“Being both from here and from Türkiye may sound strange from the outside, but I speak both languages as if they were my native tongues.
Knowing multiple languages broadens your perspective. Even though the cultures are different, experiencing both simultaneously is beautiful.
In Egypt, I usually select friends from among foreigners like me—people from different countries who live here.”
Karaca Erden:
You said your father moved for education and a better life. Did that turn out to be the case? What is living in Egypt like?
Razumıhın:
“For my father, yes. For me, not so much.
I wanted to continue my education in Türkiye, but some problems arose.
Egypt used to discriminate against people from Türkiye for political reasons; it’s not like that now, but economically it’s still far behind.
Nevertheless, people here live happily.”
Karaca Erden:
What did you learn about Türkiye from your family, surroundings, or TV shows? Have you ever visited Türkiye?
Razumıhın:
“I’ve been twice. I learned the language from my family.
I observed how people live through TV shows and my environment.
At first, speaking was difficult, but I overcame that.
To improve my fluency, I turned to music. I love rap.
The way both countries produce music on different themes influenced me, and I started making songs—songs about foreigners living abroad.”
Karaca Erden:
Is there anything you wish you could have experienced in Türkiye?
Razumıhın:
“Everything happens according to fate. I don’t have ‘if only’ moments.
I fight for what I want, and if it doesn’t work out, at least I’ve tried.”
Karaca Erden:
Even though you haven’t seen Türkiye much, what image of it do you carry inside?
Razumıhın:
“I try to contribute to making the country better, even from afar.
I represent myself and my country well.
Education is exhausting; young people face heavy pressure. I hope this improves.
Türkiye is not just a name. I still see traces of the Ottoman era in Egypt—in people, streets…
Yet strangely, there is also some resentment.”
Karaca Erden:
You mentioned that Türkiye’s education system exhausts young people. How do the educational systems of the two countries compare?
Razumıhın:
“Education here is more relaxed. Grades aren’t a problem.
I wanted to study in Türkiye to build a network, improve my Turkish, and access education not available here.
In Egypt, children start working young; many drop out of school. It’s mainly an economic issue.”
Karaca Erden:
You said there used to be discrimination against people from Türkiye in Egypt, and now there is societal resentment. How do you interpret this?
Razumıhın:
“The state imposed discrimination. They wouldn’t give visas; they deported people—especially after 2013.
After the coup, people were silenced. When Türkiye opposed the coup, the public was told that people from Türkiye were bad, even terrorists.
This was particularly instilled in older generations.
Young people, however, love Turkish TV shows; they admire people from Türkiye.
The contrast is exhausting.”
Karaca Erden:
What do you enjoy most about living in Egypt? Could you describe it briefly?
Razumıhın:
“When they see a foreigner, they treat you with respect—this works in my favor.
The food is different, but I enjoy it.
Illiteracy is high.
Cairo is extremely crowded—around 30 million people.
The air is very polluted; there’s no spring or autumn, only summer and winter.
But winter is beautiful. Summer is hot, but not humid.
Being born and raised here is different from arriving later.
Life is difficult but rewarding—something newcomers might not see.”
Karaca Erden:
Looking at Türkiye from afar, what intrigues you the most?
Razumıhın:
“Why are we such an aggressive country?
Violence is widespread. I think it originates in education.
That is my biggest question: Why are we like this?”
Karaca Erden:
If you had grown up in Türkiye, what kind of person do you think you would be?
Razumıhın:
“I honestly haven’t thought about it.”
Karaca Erden:
Would you want to live in Türkiye one day, or does staying in Egypt feel more appropriate?
Razumıhın:
“Neither. I want to travel.
I don’t want to stay in one place.
I want to live in both countries.”
Karaca Erden:
Even though you haven’t seen Türkiye much, do you love your country? Is it possible to love a country without having lived there?
Razumıhın:
“Anyone who doesn’t love their country is a traitor in my eyes.”
Karaca Erden:
What do you think about how today’s young generation forms connections with their homeland, even if their roots are far away?
Razumıhın:
“For us, everywhere is Türkiye.
This place is also our land.
I don’t feel far, but I don’t feel close either—it’s a strange feeling.”
Karaca Erden:
What would you like to say to young people who know Türkiye only from afar?
Razumıhın:
“It is not what it seems. The opposite may be true.”
Karaca Erden:
Thank you for this rich and sincere conversation. Is there anything you’d like to add?
Razumıhın:
“Thank you—truly. Greetings to everyone from 0710 Street.”
After the interview, my strongest impression was how growing between two cultures shapes one’s perspective. Razumıhın’s observations about Türkiye illustrate how young people abroad maintain connections to their roots and shape their identities.
Perceptions formed from afar may diverge from reality, but curiosity and personal attachment keep one’s love for their homeland alive. This interview sheds light not only on an individual story but also on the experience of all young people who maintain a distant connection to Türkiye. One thing is clear: Even when living far from home, young people remain proud of their identity, love and respect their country, and carry that pride openly. Being from Türkiye is an honor, and they never hide it.
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