Browsing by Author "Xavier, Samuel"

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    Master Thesis
    The "istanbul Experience" and Its Impact on Transforming Perspectives Towards Turkey: an Empirical Study on International Students From Bremen and São Paulo in Istanbul
    (Kadir Has Üniversitesi, 2020) Xavier, Samuel; Kartarı, Asker; Kartari, Asker
    This work focuses on examining and comparing Brazilian and German students' perceptions towards Istanbul and Turkish people before and after their experiences in Istanbul. Through the research question "Which images do students in Bremen and São Paulo connect with Istanbul/Turkish people in Istanbul?" this study seeks to find out how Brazilian and German students characterize Istanbul and its Turkish citizens, and to what extent stereotypes towards Istanbul and its population are still prevalent in 2020. Through face-to-face and Skype interviews, this study examines the way culture is perceived and points to the importance of reflecting upon culture as diverse, evolving, and fluid, when aiming to dismantle generalizations and preconceptions. Lastly, it demonstrates how personal experiences and interaction with the reality of cultures lead to the deconstruction of stereotypes, enable personal growth, demystify cultural prejudices, and facilitate respectful and successful intercultural communication regardless of differences.