Presentation Transcript

1. EPAL FINAL PROJECT

   By Emily P.
2. Serli’s Geography
3. Serli’s Home 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.
4. Gaetan’s Geography
5. Gaetan’s Home My epal, Gaetan, lives in Crépy-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 Crépy-en-Valois increased after World War II because it is located so close to Paris. Saint Denis Church
6. My Geography
7. My Home 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.
8. COMPARE AND CONTRASTGEOGRAPHY 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 doesn’t go very often. After doing research, I found Istanbul has over 6 beaches for tourists and residents to go to.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. AND THEN, THERE’S 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. I’m a bit of a Criminal Minds and Law & Order SVU junkie. I listen to rap, reggae, and country music.
12. COMPARE AND CONTRASTPERSONALITIES 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, that’s 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 doesn’t live watching television very much.
13. The Government of Crépy-en-Valois 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.
14. The Government of Istanbul 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.
15. 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
16. 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.
17. Gaetan’s School “At mornings, I start classes at 8:15 and I finish at 5pm, except on Thursdays : I finish at 4. On Wednesday afternoons, I haven’t got school so I finish at 12. 15. I like math and physical education. But, I don’t like technology, I think it’s not very interesting. It’s my opinion.” According to my e-pal, in France, they have five days of school, Monday – Friday, and they’re free on the weekends and Wednesday afternoons.
18. Serli’s School 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 Atatürk'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.
19. 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.
20. COMPARE AND CONTRASTEDUCATION I think Gaetan, Serli, and I are all offered the same course selections in school, the content may differ, but it’s the same subject nonetheless. Obviously, I’ve 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 Gaetan’s school, they are in school from 8:15-5:00 (approximately 9 hours).
21. SERLI’S FAMILY Serli doesn’t have any siblings. He enjoys spending his free time at home, where he finds peace of mind. Serli’s parents are still married, and he has a close relationship with them. Serli has no pets.
22. GAETAN’S FAMILY Gaetan has three brothers. His brothers Gauthier and Geoffroy are 19 old. His brother Guillaume is 15 years old. Gaetan’s 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.”
23. 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.
24. COMPARE AND CONTRASTFAMILIES 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.
25. SERLI’S CUSTOMS ANDTRADITIONS 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.
26. GAETAN’S 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.
27. 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 4th of July, or Independence day. On this day, we set off fireworks, have picnics, and patriotic parades. They’re 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.
28. COMPARE AND CONTRASTCUSTOMS 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. I’m not sure if Serli is for sure Muslim or not, but Muslim traditions are not similar to Christian traditions at all.
29. 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 Istanbul’s Sultanahment district to nearby Beyazit, calling for an end to pressure on media in Turkey.
30. FRANCE SENDS OFFICERS TOADVISE LIBYA REBELS France has sent a “small number” of military officers to assist Libya’s 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 president’s 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 people’s future,’ Abdel Jalil said, hailing Sarkozy’s ‘brave decision’ to recognise the TNC.
31. 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 government’s ability to harm civilians by eliminating the command, communications and supply chains required for sustaining military operations. If the new approach effectively cripples Colonel Qaddafi’s 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.