On November 9, 2019, Khazar University PhD & Master Association organized a trip to Goychay. PhD and master students of Khazar University attended the pomegranate festival and they had a great time to socialize and to become acquainted with Azerbaijani culture. Associate Professor Saida Sharifova, a researcher at Life Sciences Department and Natella Barkaya, Head of the Multimedia Center also participated in this trip. After the festival Students experience an Azerbaijanian traditional tea at the house of Dr.Firangiz Nasirova PhD, Head Instructor, English Language and Literature Department.
Below you can find students’ feedbacks:
Mohammed Abubakar Mohammed, PhD, Development and Exploitation of Oil and Gas Field. “First and foremost, I wish to sincerely thank the management of Khazar University for providing us with the logistics and support for this great festival. Indeed, it was a remarkable trip. Secondly, gracing the festival was a huge experience for me. I never knew I could turn out to be a celebrity at such festival in a foreign land. My presence sparked the attention of the locals as they were amazed to see a black foreigner attending the festival. This singular act could make the pomegranate festival an international festival in which foreigners would love to attend. Thirdly, a stopover at the residence of our University’s lecturer added a flavor to the trip. She and her beautiful family gave us a warm reception at her country home with delicious chay and candies. Furthermore, playing football with her grandchildren was a great experience. Furthermore, trips like this foster the spirit of togetherness among students and staff and such should be encouraged and supported. Finally, I am grateful to my good friends and colleagues most especially Moozhan, you all made the day a LANDMARK. I hope we could do it again”.
Hawa Adli, PhD student at life science Department. “Goychay is situated right in the center of Azerbaijan and getting there was far from easy, we had about 3 hours bus ride, but it was all worth it! So, I catch sight of it for the first time. Now that’s a moment to remember and to share. I just discovered there was a magnificent place, I completely fell in love with it. The pleasant weather, a wide variety of fruits of the season and especially the taste of the pomegranates are the points impossible to forget. This experience was the most memorable of all my travel moments until today. Once vivid, it flows slowly away like a dream. In the end, I want to thank the University for providing us this great opportunity and facilities; I am thankful for our joyful companions and my special regards go to the natives for their hospitality and Samovar tea”.
Dona Alicia. PhD student, School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. “Great traditional pomegranate festival, nice views, and superb views of important places. I am very satisfied with the organized travel at festival. This is the first travel trip with my friends and I'd thought I’d share my experience with you. It is well known that Goychay is seen as the cradle of the world-know Azerbaijani Pomegranate. Every November, the Pomegranate Festival is Celebrated in the splendid joyful environment in this region. Is it surprising? Surely. It does not happen to experience such trips every day with friends. I took advantage of every moment. This trip made me feel a huge positive”.
Şeyda Çevikel. PhD-Student majoring in International Relations, Department of Political Science and Philosophy. “It was very nice to be at the Pomegranate Festival in Goychay on 9 November. We had a chance to taste many delicious pomegranates. After the festival, we were so glad to meet Ms. Firangiz and her family. I am very grateful for them for their warm hospitality and conversations in their beautiful garden in Goychay. It was also a very fruitful trip in terms of the socialization of international PhD. Big thanks to Khazar University and people who contributed to this trip”.
Maryam Adli, student of Economics and Management. “My tour to the annual Pomegranate festival with other International PhD students was excellent and memorable. Goychay is known for its delicious pomegranates, plentiful harvests and a variety of pomegranate types. The festival opened with the participation of music and dance groups. The pomegranate festival is one of the most long-awaited and enjoyable events in Azerbaijan. The guests were presented with an exposition of products from pomegranate, an exhibition of works, a fair sale, a concert with the participation of popular performers and folklore groups, various competitions, for example, for the heaviest garnet by weight or pressing juice. The fresh pomegranate juice taste was the yummiest that I have ever drunk that’s why I ordered several times; I convey my sincere thanks to Khazar University for providing us these amazing experiences to remember forever.
Abdulhussein Alrubaye, Student of petroleum Engineering. “First and foremost, I wish to sincerely thank the management of Khazar University for providing us with the logistics and support for this great festival. Indeed, it was a remarkable trip”.
Imtiaz Ahmed, MS student of Petroleum Engineering. “The trip was amazing; it is the second city I visited in Azerbaijan after Baku. The festival was really good for the local and international students, and it has the potential to promote tourism in that city. The most amazing thing for me is our host, she is a teacher at Khazar University. She welcomed us by coming outside of her home, hugged each and everyone, served us a traditional tea and sweets and pomegranates; it felt like I am in Pakistan. It felt like a second home to me. Moreover, she was so kind and hospitable. I am thankful to Moozhan who took this imitative and all the university staff who made this trip possible. These little acts of kindness and humbleness matter a lot for an international student like me for whom everything is new: people, culture and traditions. Now, it feels like I am part of this society who is friendly, kind, and who is always welcoming”.
Mohamed Mohamed Abdallah, MA International Relations and Diplomacy, It was a fun trip full of joy and exploration; it was also an opportunity to see some features of Azerbaijani traditions especially when we had tea with that lovely family. I have to mention that fantastic festival of pomegranate in Goychay. Briefly, it was an unforgettable experience.