At Be the Voice of Girls, we believe in building bridges across cultures, empowering young women in Turkey to learn, connect, and grow through meaningful exchanges. Thanks to the support of sponsors like the U.S. Embassy and Regional English Language Office in Turkey, we’re able to enrich our sessions with American culture, language, and traditions that bring new perspectives to our participants. This week’s virtual session with Andrew McCrea, host of the American Countryside podcast, was a perfect example of how these interactions foster both learning and laughter.
A Slice of Thanksgiving Tradition
Andrew shared the story of Thanksgiving—a holiday deeply rooted in American history and a celebration of gratitude and family. From the struggles of the Pilgrims to the help they received from Native Americans, Andrew painted a vivid picture of the tradition’s origins. The girls were captivated, asking questions about the holiday’s customs and comparing Thanksgiving to their own holiday gatherings with family and loved ones. This cross-cultural exchange sparked a discussion about Turkish traditions and the importance of family, with the girls mentioning Turkey’s religious holidays and the large, festive meals they enjoy with their families.
To make the lesson even more engaging, Andrew highlighted some Thanksgiving dishes that grace American tables, including mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and the famous turkey. The girls were surprised at some of these combinations, especially cranberry sauce, which doesn’t have a direct equivalent in Turkish cuisine. Together, we shared smiles and laughs over the similarities and differences in our holiday foods—a powerful reminder of how food connects people across cultures.
Lighthearted Moments and Culinary Connections
One particularly memorable moment arose when we discussed Turkish foods like baklava, kebabs, and yogurt. In a lighthearted exchange, we explored how many Turkish foods are often rebranded as “Greek” in the U.S. Chobani yogurt, one of the most famous “Greek” yogurts in America, was actually started by Hamdi Ulukaya, a Turkish entrepreneur. This revelation surprised and amused the girls, who were delighted to learn about how Turkish food and culture subtly find their way into American life—even if under a different label. These humorous insights added a fun, relatable layer to the lesson, making it an unforgettable moment for all of us.
A New Project: The Be the Voice Quilt
The session concluded with a new idea for a creative project that will allow the girls to express their unique identities. Inspired by Andrew’s discussion of quilting, a traditional American handcraft, the girls are eager to design their own quilt. Each girl will create a square that represents her story, which we’ll sew together to form a collective “Be the Voice” quilt—a colorful tapestry symbolizing unity, diversity, and empowerment. With the help of a sewing teacher from the local youth center, this project will come to life, reminding the girls of their shared journey while connecting them to an American tradition of storytelling through art.
Looking Forward: Building Global Connections
At Be the Voice of Girls, these sessions are more than just classes—they’re opportunities for young women to see beyond their immediate world and share their voices with a global audience. With each conversation, the girls grow more confident, developing their language skills and deepening their understanding of other cultures. Be the Voice of Girls enables them to become cultural ambassadors, bridging gaps and building empathy across borders.
P.S. For teachers seeking authentic, engaging materials to support English language learning, we highly recommend exploring Andrew McCrea’s American Countryside site. It offers a wealth of culturally rich stories from across the U.S., perfect for bringing real-life American culture into your classroom. Check it out at American Countryside.
