For over three thousand years Turkey has been a meeting place of cultures. Over time this has created a unique and beautifully complex land described as the crossroads of cultures. In the sixteenth century, Turkey was the center of one of the world's greatest empires. The Ottoman sultans controlled and brought Islam to lands that extended into southeast Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. However, over time the Empire shrank and weakened and during the 1800's it was referred to as the "sick man of Europe." By the 20th century European powers were ready to control and divide Turkey. Led by the great visionary, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Turkey demanded its place in the modern world. It made a dramatic shift from its previous Islamic authoritarian government to a Western secular democracy. It is incredible to think that within a decade this country had made a complete 180 degree turn. 
In October of 1923, Ankara became the new capital of the Turkish Republic. The Assembly elected Mustafa Kemal as their first president. Once the Republic established its power throughout the Anatolian peninsula and Thrace, Kemal's government immediately began reforming the country and established the democratic, nationalistic, and secular ideals of Kemalism. The country underwent massive Westernization and Modernization under this new government. For example, Arabic script and numbers were replaced by the Latin alphabet and modern Western numbers. This seemingly small change had large effects for the future of the country. It tightened the relationship with Western nations and made it easier for people to read and write, catapulting the young nation into the modern world.
On September 4, 2013, I will be departing for nine and a half months to study and live in this country. Turkey is a land imbued with such rich and diverse history and I am extremely excited to immerse myself and delve into its unique and varied culture.
