S ERLI S H OME Istanbul is a cosmopolitan city built on two
continents, Asia and Europe. The population of Istanbul is about 12
million people. Istanbul is divided into two districts, the Old
City and the modern town. The narrow channel of water called the
Golden Horn is what divides the two districts. Istanbul is the
largest city in Turkey, and one of the largest in the world. Fun
fact: Istanbul was the capital of the Byzantine empire, and the
Ottoman Empire during their rule, as well.
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G AETAN S H OME My epal, Gaetan, lives in Crpy-en-Valois, a
large town in northern France. This town is approximately 57 miles
away from Paris. The population of his town is about 15,000. Fun
fact: The population of Crpy-en-Valois increased after World War II
because it is located so close to Paris. Saint Denis Church
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M Y H OME Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia, which
is located on the east coast of North America. The population of
Virginia Beach is 425,000. The King Neptune statue located at the
Boardwalk on 31st Street is 34 feet high. Paul DiPasquale sculpted
the statue. The statue was cast in bronze in China. Fun fact: The
boardwalk at the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach dates back to
1888.
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COMPARE AND CONTRAST GEOGRAPHY Gaetan and Serli are both
located on the continent of Europe. I am located on the continent
of North America. All three locations are of different climate
types. Virginia is a humid subtropical climate. Istanbul is a
Mediterranean, or oceanic, climate. Crepy-en-Valois is a
continental climate. Most inhabitants of Virginia Beach go to the
beach regularly. Gaetan mentioned in one e-mail that the beach is
an hour and a half drive from his house, so he doesnt go very
often. After doing research, I found Istanbul has over 6 beaches
for tourists and residents to go to.
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MEET SERLI, Serli is 15 years old. He has blonde hair and brown
eyes. His favorite seasons are winter and summer. During the
summer, he spends his days hanging out with friends, and going to
the hotel. This summer, his goal is to improve his English and
French. I think when people learnt this languages, they improve
themselves. During the winter, he works harder and waits for the
snow, which he likes very much. Serli listens to pop, R&B, and
jazz. He enjoys playing volleyball.
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MEET GAETAN, Gaetan is 14 years old. He has brown hair and
brown eyes. During his weekends, he goes out with his friends. On
Saturday nights, he often goes to the theater, to the cinema, or to
watch soccer matches. He enjoys going to the swimming pool, but he
only goes at night, because in the afternoons there are too many
people. Serli listens to rock and metal music. He enjoys watching
American series like the Experts and Desperate Housewives. His
favorite movies are Titanic, Lord of the Rings, and the Hills Have
Eyes.
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AND THEN, THERES ME.. I am 15 years old. I have brown hair and
green eyes. My favorite season is summer, because I like going to
the beach and having relaxing days without so much stress from
school. During the weekends, I just hang out with friends, go to
the beach, or go to the mall. Im a bit of a Criminal Minds and Law
& Order SVU junkie. I listen to rap, reggae, and country
music.
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COMPARE AND CONTRAST PERSONALITIES As teenagers, we all
basically have the same interests. We all prefer the seasons of
winter and summer, most likely because we get out of school for
vacations in both those seasons. Also, we all enjoy hanging out
with our friends. But of course, thats a given. Gaetan and I are
different in age. Serli and I are the same age. Gaetan enjoys
watching soccer. Soccer bores me, and Serli plays volleyball.
Gaetan and I watch shows on television. Serli doesnt live watching
television very much.
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T HE G OVERNMENT OF C RPY - EN -V ALOIS Since 1959, France has
been under the republican constitution of the Fifth Republic. The
Fifth Republic is a bicameral legislature, which is when the
president appoints a prime minister to lead the government. The
president of France is Nicolas Sarkzoy. The president is elected
every 7 years. Francois Fillon is the prime minister of France.
Parliamentary majority calls most of the shots in the government of
France.
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T HE G OVERNMENT OF I STANBUL Turkey is a republican
parliamentary democracy. Abdullah Gul is president of Turkey, and
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the prime minister. In a republican
parliamentary democracy, The Turkish Grand National Assembly
(TGNA), which is elected by citizens legal to vote, is supposed to
act as the legitimate voice of the Turkish people. The president
serves one 7 year term, and is supposed to be above politics and
symbolize the country. The real power is in the hands of the prime
minister, who is in charge of policies and directions. The PM is
appointed by the president.
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THE GOVERNMENT OF VIRGINIA The government of the United States
is called a representative democracy. The government is separate
into three branches (separation of powers): The Executive Branch is
headed by the president, Barack Obama. The executive branch of the
government is responsible for enforcing the laws of the land. The
president, vice president, department heads (cabinet members), and
heads of independent agencies carry out this mission. The Judicial
Branch are in charge of interpreting the laws and how they should
be applied. They also decide if laws violate the constitution,
which is called judicial review. The Legislative Branch is the law
making branch of government. It is separated in two houses The
Senate and the House of Representatives
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COMPARE / CONTRAST GOVERNMENTS From the research I conducted, I
concluded that Turkey and France have somewhat the same type of
government. In Turkey and France, the Prime Minister holds the most
responsibility. However, in the United States, the power is divided
between three branches. They all have important responsibilities
and power. I would say I think we have more freedoms living in the
United States, but that could be argued.
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G AETAN S S CHOOL At mornings, I start classes at 8:15 and I
finish at 5pm, except on Thursdays : I finish at 4. On Wednesday
afternoons, I havent got school so I finish at 12. 15. I like math
and physical education. But, I dont like technology, I think its
not very interesting. Its my opinion. According to my e-pal, in
France, they have five days of school, Monday Friday, and theyre
free on the weekends and Wednesday afternoons.
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S ERLI S S CHOOL The academic year runs from September to late
June, with vacations for holidays and two weeks off in January. The
basic education program includes: Turkish language and literature
Mathematics Social studies Science Civics and human rights The
history of the Turkish Republic and Atatrk's reforms A foreign
language (English, French or German) Individual and group
activities Religious culture and ethics Art/handicraft Music
Physical education Traffic safety and first aid Career guidance And
elective courses.
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MY SCHOOL High schools in Virginia Beach start at 7:25 and end
at 2:00. In the United States, high schools usually offer the
following courses: Science (normally biology, chemistry and
physics) Mathematics (normally including algebra, geometry, pre-
calculus, statistics, and even calculus) English (including
literature, humanities, composition, oral languages, etc.) Social
sciences (including various history, government/economics courses)
Physical education Music Art Foreign languages And other elective
courses.
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COMPARE AND CONTRAST EDUCATION I think Gaetan, Serli, and I are
all offered the same course selections in school, the content may
differ, but its the same subject nonetheless. Obviously, Ive come
to realize not every school starts at the same time, or is in
session for the same amount of hours. In my high school, we are in
school from 7:25-2:00 (approximately 6 hours). In Gaetans school,
they are in school from 8:15-5:00 (approximately 9 hours).
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SERLIS FAMILY Serli doesnt have any siblings. He enjoys
spending his free time at home, where he finds peace of mind.
Serlis parents are still married, and he has a close relationship
with them. Serli has no pets.
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GAETANS FAMILY Gaetan has three brothers. His brothers Gauthier
and Geoffroy are 19 old. His brother Guillaume is 15 years old.
Gaetans parents names are Jean-Pierre and Isabelle. He has three
pets, a dog named Troy, and two cats named Grisou and Lena. Lena is
not very nice, she does stupid things like scratch the furniture
and urine everywhere in the house.
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MY FAMILY I have three siblings. I have a sister, Sarah, who is
13 years old, and a sister, Caroline, who is 8 years old. I also
have a brother named Nick, who is 9 years old. My parents are
married and I have a really good relationship with them. I have a
dog, Layla.
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COMPARE AND CONTRAST FAMILIES My family life is closely related
to Gaetan, because we both have three siblings, and pets. Serli
does not have any pets or siblings. Serli mentioned he has a close
relationship with his parents, and I do, as well, so I can also
relate to him.
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SERLIS CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS Ramazan Bayrami: Celebration of
the end of the fast of the Ramadan month. It is a three day
celebration that consists of eating candy. Kurban Bayrami: Four day
celebration in which sheep are slaughtered and the meat is given to
the poor. The dates of these celebrations vary, depending on the
Islamic calendar. These are only a few of the main Islamic holidays
celebrated in Turkey.
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GAETANS CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS According to Gaetan, there are
three famous celebrations in France: Christmas: A Christian holiday
which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Popular customs include
exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church,
sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for
Santa Claus to arrive. New Years Eve follows this holiday.
Halloween: Children dress up in costumes and go out searching for
candy from door to door. Easter: The tradition on Easter is the
Easter bunny puts chocolate eggs in gardens and the children must
find them.
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MY CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS In America, we celebrate many
holidays. On Easter, we are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus
Christ. Many families practice the traditions of coloring hard
boiled eggs and giving the children baskets full of candy.
Christmas day, most Americans celebrate the birthday of Jesus
Christ by decorating houses and yards with lights, putting up and
decorating Christmas trees, giving gifts, and sending greeting
cards. On Thanksgiving day, a purely American holiday, we gather
with our family and friends for a huge meal. The celebration dates
back to the year 1621, when Pilgrims arrived in America and
celebrated in the same fashion with the Native Americans. Another
celebration is the 4 th of July, or Independence day. On this day,
we set off fireworks, have picnics, and patriotic parades. Theyre
not exactly holidays, but Americans also celebrate Halloween, in
which children dress up in costumes and go out to find candy and
treats. And Valentines Day, when people buy flowers, chocolates,
and cards for their sweethearts.
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COMPARE AND CONTRAST CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS Although Gaetan and
I both celebrate Christmas, there are differences. Most provinces
recognized and celebrate Christmas on December 25th, but in
northern and eastern regions of France, the Christmas season is
officially begun on the 6th day of December. Children in France
don't hang stockings by the chimney, they place their shoes in
front of the fireplace for Pere Noel (Santa) to fill with gifts.
Pere Fouettard, who is basically Santa's Counterpart, gives out
spankings to naughty boys and girls. Americans celebrate
Thanksgiving, an all American holiday, unlike France and Turkey.
Gaetan and I celebrate Easter and Halloween in the same fashion. Im
not sure if Serli is for sure Muslim or not, but Muslim traditions
are not similar to Christian traditions at all.
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TURKISH JOURNALISTS MARCH FOR ARRESTED JOURNALISTS IN
SULTANAHMET Turkey has more journalists in prison than any other
country in the world, including China and Iran, according to a
press release issued Monday by the International Press Institute
(57 journalists are currently in prison in Turkey). The IPI also
drew attention to the fact that there are between 700 and 1,000
ongoing cases in Turkey that could result in the imprisonment of
more journalists. Turkish journalists and representatives of the
Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Union marched last Tuesday
from Istanbuls Sultanahment district to nearby Beyazit, calling for
an end to pressure on media in Turkey.
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FRANCE SENDS OFFICERS TO ADVISE LIBYA REBELS France has sent a
small number of military officers to assist Libyas rebel
Transitional National Council. Britain has also sent a dozen
military officers, and Italy promised to send a team of ten
military officers to Libya to advice the rebels. All three
countries have stressed the fact that they are not involved in
combat. Mustafa Abdel Jalil, head of the TNC, has invited the
president of France to visit the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. The
presidents office said they had taken note of the invitation.
France was the first country to recognize the TNC as a legitimate
representative of the Libyan people. France and all the countries
that have supported us and backed us up will have a very important
role in the Libyan peoples future, Abdel Jalil said, hailing
Sarkozys brave decision to recognise the TNC.
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NATO SAYS IT IS STEPPING UP ATTACKS ON LIBYA TARGETS NATO, or
the National Atlantic Treaty Organization, planners say the allies
are stepping up attacks on palaces, headquarters, communications
centers and other institutions supporting the Libyan government.
Officials in Washington said that the strikes were meant to reduce
the governments ability to harm civilians by eliminating the
command, communications and supply chains required for sustaining
military operations. If the new approach effectively cripples
Colonel Qaddafis ability to command his military and visibly erodes
his legitimacy, NATO strategists say, it may eventually persuade
him to flee into exile or it might prompt someone in his inner
circle to force him out.