From May 4th to 8th, 2025, we had the opportunity to host our first international event, a Symposium focused on sustainability for the future, in the wonderful Turkish city of İzmir (Türkiye).
Day 1 – Arrival, Cultural Exploration & Welcome Dinner
Our event kicked off with the arrival of our international participants. Some of them reached İzmir earlier in the day and joined us for an informal cultural excursion to Kemeraltı Bazaar—one of the oldest and most vibrant marketplaces in the city. We walked through the narrow streets, shopped for souvenirs, and ended the tour with a delicious traditional Turkish meal that included mezes, kebabs, and homemade şerbet.
After the excursion, participants were guided to their hotel rooms to rest and settle in. In the evening, we hosted our official Welcome Dinner, where the PAS İzmir team greeted everyone with big smiles and open arms. The atmosphere was warm and inclusive —icebreakers weren’t even necessary as everyone mingled naturally.
An unexpected but delightful highlight of the evening was a local wedding celebration taking place near the venue. Without hesitation, we invited our international friends to join the festivity. It quickly turned into a night of spontaneous dancing, laughter, and cultural exchange. Many of them tried Turkish halay for the first time, and they absolutely loved it. It was an unforgettable way to start the event.
Day 2 – Symposium Sessions & City Tour
The second day marked the official opening of our Symposium, which consisted of four sessions, mostly focused on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). While the technical nature of the presentations was appreciated by many, we noticed that a few participants found some parts slightly too complex. Despite this, all speakers delivered valuable insights into the future of aviation and environmental sustainability.
The final session, hosted by PEGASUS Airlines, lightened the mood with a more engaging and accessible presentation style. At the end, two lucky EUROAVIAns were gifted beautiful model aircraft—a gesture that brought big smiles and a round of applause.
In the afternoon, we embarked on a guided City Tour of İzmir. Participants had the chance to try traditional Turkish coffee prepared on hot sand, feast on İskender kebab, taste the city’s signature desserts like bomba and şambali, and visit historical landmarks such as Konak Square and the Clock Tower. This tour helped everyone unwind and connect more deeply with Turkish culture.
Day 3 – Symposium Sessions & Cultural Night
We continued our technical program with four more sessions, which were better balanced in terms of content and audience engagement. The topics sparked more questions, and participants from various countries shared their own perspectives and experiences, enriching the discussions. This day received especially positive feedback from attendees, who noted the improved interactivity and relevance of the talks.
In the evening, we switched to a more relaxed setting for our beloved Cultural Night, hosted at the home of our Vice President, Eren. The cozy house setting created a warm and casual atmosphere where everyone could truly relax. We shared traditional Turkish home-cooked dishes and introduced our guests to local drinks like rakı, şarap, and even homemade liqueurs. Many participants also brought drinks from their own countries, making it a true international tasting experience. Conversations flowed naturally and bonds deepened—many described this night as their favourite part of the event.
Day 4 – Cultural Exploration, Spring Festival & Final Dinner
Our final day started with a Traditional Turkish Breakfast, featuring menemen, börek, olives, cheeses, simit, and plenty of tea. It was a calm and cozy way to start the day after the previous night’s festivities.
After breakfast, we visited one of İzmir’s most iconic sites—the Asansör, a historic elevator and viewing platform that overlooks the city. The panoramic view provided a perfect photo opportunity and a moment of reflection as the event began to wind down.
Coincidentally, our university’s Spring Festival was taking place on the same day. This allowed our guests to participate in various student club activities, games, and concerts. It added a fun, spontaneous layer to the program and gave our guests a deeper look into campus life in Türkiye.
Later that afternoon, we hosted our Glider Workshop, where participants were divided into teams of five and tasked with building and testing paper gliders. It was both educational and playful—a great way to wrap up the event’s hands-on learning component. The friendly competition to see which glider could fly the farthest sparked lots of laughter and applause.
Finally, we came together one last time for our Final Dinner, held at one of İzmir’s finest seafood restaurants along the coast. The menu featured freshly caught fish, traditional mezes, and local specialities. The ambience, food, and final conversations made for a perfect closing to what had been a rich and fulfilling event. Many hugs, appreciation messages, and promises to meet again were shared.
PAS İzmir