History Students’ Meaningful Visit During the May 19 Commemoration Week
Third-year students of the History Department at Ondokuz Mayıs University, Çarşamba Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, visited the Bandırma Ferry Museum as part of the course “Historical Field Research.” The visit was carried out under the guidance of the course instructor, Dr. Özkan Özer Keskin.
Emphasizing the significance of conducting this visit during the week of May 19, the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, Dr. Keskin stated: “It is highly valuable for our students to experience the spirit of May 19, 1919 on-site, allowing them not only to read about historical events but also to integrate them with their physical setting. The Bandırma Ferry is a symbol of Samsun and the National Struggle.”
During the visit, students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the historical atmosphere of the Bandırma Ferry and gain a deeper understanding of the meaningful process that began when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk arrived in Samsun to launch the War of Independence. Students expressed that they experienced emotional moments as they reflected on Samsun’s place in Turkey’s path to independence and the symbolic significance of May 19.
The activity contributed to strengthening the students’ historical awareness and enhancing their field experience.
