2020 11 05
How was my first three weeks in Jena?
I am in heaven.
Both in terms of work and human relations.
Of course, the project I'm working on has many differences from any job. But at least I got enough information to make an assessment in terms of academic environment.
Let me talk about human relations first. Everyone is respectful to each other, without exception. This is of course also related to the low population density even in the city center. But when you live in it, you realize that it's not just about population density. When you walk down the street, go shopping, meet and chat, make a mistake, ask a question or ask for something, all you encounter is respect. Because everyone realizes that when everyone respects the other person, they will all be respected. They respect all other human beings, animals and other beings for their freedom and venerable selves. Of course I have encountered other situations, but I will not talk about them here. Because respect occupies such a large place in communication that it would not make sense to refer to those experiences that I will not talk about.
I accidentally stopped in the middle of the pavement, typing the message on my phone. I haven't seen the bike coming. The bicycle rider sees me at the last moment. She says "Excuse me" and smiles, and I smile and say "excuse me". That's it. So yeah that's normal, I know. But I missed this communication that it feels like heaven to me.
Or let me say, you need a bus ticket. You don't like to use the machine, so you enter the office selling tickets. You are immediately greeted with a "welcome" face. How beautiful isn't it? It is actually very normal, but here it is ... The same is true at every point you shop. Even if the cashier cannot smile due to the busy schedule, he always looks in your face and says hello. Even in chain stores.
Further, when you come from Istanbul, your personal space expands so much that you start to think comfortably. I don't have to worry about doing things as soon as possible. Anyway, everything will be done on time.
All these things I have counted and written also apply to the academic working environment. Everything is planned, specific. There is no room for much surprises. Of course, there are spontaneous developments that life brings. They also bring excitement and opportunities together. In any case, people's reactions are not extreme. They can really manage to be normal and I think it's okay. Why can't I explain this situation (how to be normal) to the people in Turkey?
Here I manage my time myself as I am a postdoctoral researcher. I've decided what to do and what not to do in these three weeks. I determined what I would prioritize in all my work.
As of today, I am starting to learn the method of system dynamics both by reading and applying it. I had prepared the reading about my project beforehand, but it was complicated. I arranged it all. On December 2, I will make a presentation about who I am , what I have done and what I will research in my current project.
I will work much more comfortably when we move to the other guesthouse as of December. I see my performance going to the highest level ever and articles coming one by one. I think 2020 will be the year of going backwards for most, while for me it will be closed as a big step forward. 2021, on the other hand, looks like it will be a year in which I will be one step closer to being an associate professor and have paid off for my efforts in the last ten years.