After studying and teaching at Harvard for 15 years, Hughes Hallett was itching to travel again. She ended up teaching mathematics to college first-years in Turkey.

On the last day of class, Hughes Hallett was perplexed when her students asked her why she didn't dress like an American.

Her confusion quickly turned to laughter when she realise that the class' only picture of American women came through watching television episodes of "Dallas."

Moments like these with students make her job special, Hughes Hallett says.

"I'm lucky to work among really wonderful people," she says. "I know a whole generation of students."

Although the professor says she enjoys working with her fellow faculty members, she says her students make her job most meaningful.

"The everyday fun of it is talking to kids who are creative, have really good sights, and often get there," she says. "The faculty are fun, but the kids are a lot of fun. If I had to choose, I'd choose the kids."