Karen Miller

During my Fulbright scholarship I will be conducting research at the Conservation and Implementation Office (KUDEB) of Istanbul’s historic Sulemaniye district. I will assist with workshops helping residents restore deteriorating wooden homes. With the growth and modernization of Istanbul the middle and upper class have moved out of the historical districts into modern apartments leaving the traditional wooden houses for mainly rural migrants. With little knowledge or means for upkeep, these homes have been left to deteriorate through the elements. I hope to use this restoration research in a future profession of historical preservation. I am so excited for my time in Turkey and hope it will give me great experience to open up many future opportunities.

Read more about my experiences in Turkey here.