A Home Away From Home

By Caitlin Nettleton

E.K. Powe has a diverse study body that hails from North Carolina, the United States, and the world. A Home Away From Home documents the experience of one first grade girl, Ecesu Erdim, who recently moved from Turkey to the United States for one academic year. Moving from kindergarten to first grade can be difficult for any child, but when faced with a new culture and a new language, the task can be daunting. Despite all of the changes and the initial language barrier, Ecesu has been learning and growing alongside her American peers. As the project's title suggests, she has truly found a place here – and the words to communicate it all.

It has been a pleasure documenting Ecesu as she transitions from Turkey to the United States. After my gap year in Turkey in 2008-2009, I speak Turkish proficiently and have been able to get to know Ecesu and her mom well. I look forward to getting to know them even better after this project, and to be as supportive as I can as they finish their year here in the United States. I'm so happy to have met them, and I'd like to give them warm welcome: Hoş Geldiniz Ecesu ve Esra!

Special thanks to Ecesu and her parents, the E.K. Powe Community, Susie Post-Rust and our Doc Studies 113S Class.