Speaker 1 00:00:12 Hello, welcome to the Roundhouse Podcast with Paul Soro of Wichita State University strategic Communications. Today's guest is Laura uar. Laura is a sophomore lobero on the Wichita State Volleyball team. She's from Ismir, Turkey. She's here to talk about, talk to us about the earthquake that has devastated the region on the Turkey, Syria border. I'll give you a few updates on that. The combined death toll has surpassed 22,000 with around 75,000 injured. According to the Washington Post. Thousands more homeless rescuers are, of course, fighting the clock, the cold weather, and a region that is already troubled by war. So, Laura, let's start by giving us some background. Tell us about your hometown. Ismir seems like a very interesting place, traces its roots back to Alexander the Great and was built by the Greeks. It is Turkey's third most populous city located on the Aian coast. Describe your hometown for us.
Speaker 2 00:01:09 Um, to be honest, I'm in love with my city. Um, I live next to the sea and then I can go to beach, um, in like 15 minutes, 20 minutes. Um, there are so many things to do in my city. I live in big city, I think the most popular city, and then the most beautiful city in Turkey. And also isms. People are so helpful to everyone. And then
Speaker 1 00:01:51 Tell us about Turkey. Uh, for those of us who are not familiar, describe the country, the people, the, the way of life.
Speaker 2 00:01:59 Turkeys people are so helpful. They're like so warm to everyone else. And then let's talk about tourists, and then they're like coming to our ho, our country. And then we're like helping them a lot. And then we have so many historical places. And then like, you can learn about history from Turkey, in Turkey, and then you can go to the beach. And then like, we have famous beaches, and then pretty, we have pretty beaches. Uh, you can have so much fun in Turkey. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:02:44 Yeah. Pictures look. Pictures look beautiful. Uh, describe the aian, uh, sea for us,
Speaker 2 00:02:51 Actually, I have no idea about, but I just, it's like warm. Um, it's not that big like ocean. It's like covering with the mountains, you know? And then when you're like swimming in the sea, you're like feeling safe. It's not like ocean. And then they're like, no waves in ocean, in like ocean. And then I messed up
Speaker 1 00:03:20 <laugh>. So very calm, just good for, good for swimming, good for sun banding, those kind of things. Yes, yes. Is there a lot of seafood? What's the, what are your diets? Like, what's the menu like? In, in, in ismir?
Speaker 2 00:03:31 Um, we have, um, different seafood. Um, actually, I don't know in in English their name, but like, also I wanna talk about Raku. I don't know. Have you heard about it? No. It's, it's alcohol. But like, uh, I think Raku is, the Raku is different than other alcohols. Like, it's kind of different because if you wanna drink it, you are like feeling something, you're in emotion and then you're like drinking with the seafood. Like, it's kind of like coming with the sea, you know? Sure. And then
Speaker 1 00:04:16 So it compliments the food or works with the Yes. With
Speaker 2 00:04:19 The menu. Yes. Right? Yes. It's like, so how can I say it? I don't know. It's like so famous in Isir in Turkey, because we have different type of seafoods.
Speaker 1 00:04:37 What is your favorite food from home? What do he miss most?
Speaker 2 00:04:43 Kmar, I really like it.
Speaker 1 00:04:46 Calamari squid?
Speaker 2 00:04:47 Yes. Okay. I really like it. I think it's the best food ever. Seafood ever. And then, yeah.
Speaker 1 00:04:59 Sounds good. Sounds very good. Uh, how did you first learn about the, the earthquake?
Speaker 2 00:05:06 I was just looking in, looking at my Instagram, and then my friend sent a text to me, and then I saw it. I thought it's like, they're like, people are sharing in the past picture. Like, um, something happened in 19 90, 90 or whatever. And then I saw the pictures, I'm like, what happened? Like, everything is fine actually in Turkey. I thought like that. And then I just saw the news and then I felt so bad because it was like, really big earthquake happened. I'm like, oh my God. Like, what am I gonna do? Is my family okay? Are my friends Okay? I was really upset about it.
Speaker 1 00:05:51 How close to Ismir was the, or is the earthquake area?
Speaker 2 00:05:56 Um, I think with car, I'm not sure, but like 15 Rs maybe? Yeah. Okay.
Speaker 1 00:06:05 So quite a w quite a
Speaker 2 00:06:06 Ways is away. So maybe 10 hours, like, I'm not sure like what it's for.
Speaker 1 00:06:10 Okay. Hey. And the earthquake, how has it affected friends, people, you know, family members?
Speaker 2 00:06:17 Um, my friends, they're, they were playing volleyball and then they were pretty successful and then they passed away. Yeah. Also, I got, I, I got news today, the Cypress team volleyball team, and then they're like so young, like 12, 13 maybe. And then they came to the Turkey to play tournament, and then they were staying at the hotel, and then they got stuck in the building, and then everyone died. I think only they saved one person.
Speaker 1 00:06:55 Okay. Boy, that is tough to deal with. So you knew members of a volleyball team that were in the, in the earthquake area and
Speaker 2 00:07:02 Passed away? Some of them. Some of
Speaker 1 00:07:03 Them, yeah. Okay. Uh, what's it been like living far away from home, living in the United States and, and, and dealing with all this? How do you handle this kind of a, a situation?
Speaker 2 00:07:16 This is too hard for me actually, because I was with my family all the time. I was with my friends all the time, and I love my family and my friends, and it's kind of hard for me. But I love being in the United States because of my friends and my teammates, my coaches, they're like helping me a lot. They're like making me happy, you know what I mean? They're like supporting me all the time. If I'm upset, they're like asking me, Laura, are you okay? What's the problem? And then I'm talking to them and then I'm feeling good after that. But like, it's pretty hard because you don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow. You're like, they're like sleeping and then you just wake up because they're like nine hours between these countries and you don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow. And right now I'm feeling so bad because the fault lines are broken, and then it might affect another earthquake. It might happen in my city in Istanbul. And then they're like saying it's gonna be big earthquake. And then this is kind of scary for me because I cannot do anything here. Like maybe just, I can send help to them and then I can share something on my Instagram, on Twitter, you know what I mean? But like, I cannot go there. And then this is so painful for me.
Speaker 1 00:08:47 Sort of a helpless feeling then? Yes. Who on the team or on the coaching staff, who have you leaned on to, you know, to, to talk through this, to share your feelings and get support?
Speaker 2 00:08:57 Addie actually, she's my best friend. She's always next to me. Like, we're always together. And then actually everyone, like, I'm just, she's my roommate too, because of that, we're like all the time together. But like everyone, if there's a problem, like they're like seeing me because I'm always happy. I'm like, oh, today is, you know, it's so happy. And then they're like seeing me and Laura, what's the problem? Are you okay? I'm like, yeah, I'm fine. And then Laura just tell me like, what happened? I can help you. And then I'm seeing the problem. They're like, do you wanna go get coffee? Or like, do you wanna do something? Like, just call me whenever you want. I'm like, thank you so much guys.
Speaker 1 00:09:41 When you are going through a difficult time like this, is it nice to have, uh, I've got volleyball practice, I can get this off my mind. I've got a class, I can get this off my mind. Do those kind of routines help? Yes.
Speaker 2 00:09:54 Yes. A lot.
Speaker 1 00:09:55 Yeah. When's the last time you were back hit back home in
Speaker 2 00:09:58 Turkey? I went back to Turkey on Christmas break.
Speaker 1 00:10:02 Okay.
Speaker 2 00:10:03 I was with them like per month, and I felt so good and I came here, I was recharged. I'm like, I'm ready for everything. Like, I can pass my classes again. I can do better during practice.
Speaker 1 00:10:20 How often are you able to communicate with friends, family, in, in Turkey during this, this episode?
Speaker 2 00:10:26 Um, I'm, I talk with my mom and my dad like two times in a day because they're not sleeping for me. They're like waiting, they're like awake until 4:00 AM sometimes. And then they're like, Laura, do you wanna talk? And then I'm like, okay, I'm just done, like out of class, you know? And then I'm calling them and my friends like two, one time in a day. But every single day we're talking.
Speaker 1 00:10:59 And do you follow news of what's going on in Turkey through social media? Do you follow through, uh, newspaper, websites, television, news? How do you keep abreast on what's going on?
Speaker 2 00:11:12 I'm, I'm watching the, I'm watching Le News, and then I'm seeing the news. Some, sometimes I am seeing from Instagram, I'm looking at the news, but like, I'm feeling so bad after that. I'm just gonna like, I don't wanna look at it like, but I'm so wondering it too, but like, I'm like, no, I'm not gonna look at it because like, I'm feeling bad about it a lot.
Speaker 1 00:11:39 So too much is sometimes it's too much to Yes. To keep up with all of that. Yes. Okay. Uh, people in the United States, people around the world I'm sure have been very helpful. What is your recommendation? If someone wants to, wants to help the people who are, are, uh, are are injured, who are struggling over in Turkey,
Speaker 2 00:11:58 Um, you were like saying about like, how can people help Turkey? Right. Um, I'm not sure because we have a team, we call it <unk> and then you can send money to them, and then they're like, when you send money, and then they're like getting the blankets and then like, some, like everything, you know what I mean? You can send money and then some social media accounts, and then you can send them too. And then they're like seeing, I forgot the link actually, but I can share with you after that. Okay, sure.
Speaker 1 00:12:47 Yeah. And I've seen some, I can in, I can include them in the, uh, in the show notes for this so that people listen to it. They can maybe have some options for, for helping out. Okay. Well we mentioned the shockers are, uh, in the midst of, uh, of spring volleyball practices. So, we'll, yes. We'll change topics. Uh, tell us about spring volleyball. How's it going?
Speaker 2 00:13:07 It's so good. Actually. I'm so glad to be back and we're like working hard and then limbo all the time. Work hard, work hard, work hard. And then we're practicing and servant pass defense hit the ball. You know what I mean? It's going so good. And, you know, we have goals, base goals, and then we need to work hard. We need to push something through.
Speaker 3 00:13:48 Hi, this is Rick Yuma, president of Wichita State University. Check out the latest episode of the Forward Together podcast. Each episode I sit down with different guests from Chacar Nation to celebrate the vision and mission of Wichita State University. Listen, wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 1 00:14:16 So the shockers finished last season, strong, played in the, uh, N I vc, having that kind of finish to the season, does that help push you, propel you give you some momentum going into the, into the spring?
Speaker 2 00:14:29 Yes, actually, uh, we thought we can, we could do it better, like finish it better, but like, we couldn't do it. And then, uh, we were like, we need to work hard. And then we talk like all teammates, we talk and then they're like, uh, I did mistake, I supposed to do this. Like, everyone just tell like everything. And then we're like, okay, we figured out and then we're gonna work hard and we have to improve ourselves in everything.
Speaker 1 00:15:06 In this part of the early part of the spring practices, is there a particular emphasis, parts of the game that you're, you're really hitting hard now?
Speaker 2 00:15:16 Actually, not yet, because we're trying to, we're like practicing technique, you know what I mean? Like, we're like passing up your shoulder, blah, blah, blah. And then we have only one team practice, and then we're like working hard and then we're like giving everything during this practice. And then everyone is like helping each other. If you did something, they're like helping you, like, you need to fix this. And then she goes, oh, okay. I got it. I think we're gonna achieve that goal. Like that. Like, we need to be all together.
Speaker 1 00:15:52 You have six newcomers on the, uh, on the volleyball team. All came in this spring? Yeah. What's it like blending that, that group in?
Speaker 2 00:16:01 Um, actually they're so nice. Um, they wanted to be, they wanna do something like us, like achieve that goal and then they're like working hard and then they're so nice. Also, we're like helping to them a lot. Like, you know, you should do this and then you should go there and then blah, blah, blah. They're trying, they're still trying to, um, get to know each other. And then some of them, uh, Brooklyn, she's my roommate. She's so nice. I'm so glad. She's my roommate. Yeah, we're like getting along very well.
Speaker 1 00:16:40 Laura, tell us about volleyball in Turkey and how it fits into the, to the national scene. How popular a sport is Volleyball there?
Speaker 2 00:16:49 Everyone thinks soccer is the most popular, uh, sport in Turkey, but I think, uh, we're so good at volleyball and our Turkish, um, national team, it's so good. And we have, um, three licks and then one of the first one we call it the, so Towns league, they're like playing professional and then they're like earning money a lot. And then also they're like playing on national team too. And then the second one, first league and the third, the third one, it's like second league. And I was playing, uh, on the first lake. I was doing pretty good. And what else?
Speaker 1 00:17:48 Uh, so soccer. Is soccer a popular sport? Yes. Okay. How about basketball?
Speaker 2 00:17:54 Basketball too, but like, I think basketball is not exciting for me. Like it's not interesting for me because of that. I don't know about basketball in Turkey, but like, we're good at it too. I bet. Sure.
Speaker 1 00:18:09 Have you always been volleyball? Has that always been your favorite sport?
Speaker 2 00:18:13 Uh, I like soccer too. Okay. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:18:16 Okay. Uh, I understand that you recommend Turkish TV shows to Gretchen Tour line, the one of the academic advisors here at at Wichita State. What kind of Turkish TV shows do you recommend?
Speaker 2 00:18:30 Oh my God, this story is so funny. Last year, um, she was trying to yes, in Turkish. I'm like, what are you saying, Gretchen? And then she goes, I'm trying to say yes because I'm watching like Turkish show. I'm like, oh, like, how did you find it? And then she was watching something and I don't remember that. And I was like, do not watch it. I will call, I will see you something. And then she was like, what is that? And then I say, <unk> it's like, um, romantic comedy. And then she really like it. And then she was trying to say Good morning, and then goodnight in Turkish. It, it was so funny. I love her a lot.
Speaker 1 00:19:18 So you're, you're trying to help Gretchen out with some Turkish, with some Turkish
Speaker 2 00:19:22 Words? Yes. Also Brooklyn too. And
Speaker 1 00:19:24 Brooklyn.
Speaker 2 00:19:24 Okay. She came home and then she downloaded do Lingo, and then she's trying to learn how to speak Turkish. She's just like looking at the words and then she's like, keeps saying, I drink milk in Turkish, but it's so much funny.
Speaker 1 00:19:38 Okay. That's a good opportunity. Brooklyn Leggett is the, the teammate you're referring to, she's one of the newcomers. You also made reference to, uh, uh, your good friend Addie Bad, who is a returner, one of the, one of the shockers that is, that is back from, from previous seasons. What's your favorite Turkish TV show? And can you get these on Netflix, YouTube? How do, how would you watch a Turkish TV show?
Speaker 2 00:20:00 Yeah. You, you can watch on YouTube. I think they have a And
Speaker 1 00:20:09 Do you have a favorite?
Speaker 2 00:20:10 Yes, I do. I like <unk> It's kind of like romantic, sometimes comedy, sometimes drama. And the second one is <unk> and then basically he's cheating on her and he's, uh, wife and then it's kind of drama. It's,
Speaker 1 00:20:33 So we've got some remaining drama going on. Yes. The first one. Say that again and maybe spell it for us in case there's somebody out there that wants to try to try to watch this.
Speaker 2 00:20:41 Um, M e d c e z I r. Okay. We call it <unk>. Okay. Uh, I really like it.
Speaker 1 00:20:53 And how about, have you picked up any favorites in the United States? Do you watch any American TV shows?
Speaker 2 00:20:59 Uh, I love friends. How I Met Your Mother. And then, yeah, those are my favorites.
Speaker 1 00:21:08 What, uh, so your transition to the United States, what's been the most interesting things? What have you found yourself liking about living in, in Wichita and the United States?
Speaker 2 00:21:19 Hmm. It's a good question. Actually. Before I came here, uh, they were like saying, um, American people are like so cold. They're not like, helpful or whatever. And then I came here like, everyone is so helpful and they're like so warm. Like even you don't know her like him. And then they're like saying, oh, good morning. I'm like, oh, hi. You know what I mean? And then this is what's surprising for me. And what else? I never think about this question actually.
Speaker 1 00:21:56 We are friendly people here, especially in Kansas. Yes, we cans are very friendly. Yes. Yeah. How about food? Uh, is there something you've picked up that you really enjoy here?
Speaker 2 00:22:05 Actually, I don't like American Foods because Turkish foods are really healthy. And then you guys have fast food, like Pizza burger, and it's gonna like, no, but I love Chick-fil-A.
Speaker 1 00:22:23 Chick-fil-A. Yeah. Okay. Yes. Yeah, that is a common theme among people who, uh, athletes that I talk to that come here from other places. The food is always a, always a big adjustment. There's no, no doubt about that. <laugh>. Yes. All right. Well, Laura, thank you very much for, uh, sharing your story, uh, about your, uh, about Turkey and about the, uh, problems going on down over there and, and shocker volleyball. I appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 00:22:47 Of course. Thank you so much.
Speaker 4 00:23:01 Thank you for listening to the Roundhouse podcast. Courtesy of Wichita State University's strategic communications. We encourage you to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can find more roundhouse
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Speaker 5 00:23:16 It's over. It's over. Ladies and gentlemen. Say it slowly and savor it. Wichita State is going to the Final four for the first time in 48 years. Unbelievable. What a scene, folks. The shocker fans are just going crazy in the stands. Just maybe the greatest win in the history of Wichita State Basketball.
