Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Most eye-opening and great experience! Past Review

By (International Relations And Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/20/2012 to 08/08/2012 with

Bogazici University: Istanbul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My Turkish improved so much. I learned about local culture when I asked about it. This study abroad experience was worthwhile!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They are awesome at emailing back! but when going to their office and trying to get answers is difficult.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Superdorm is very close to campus and you get to meet other americans who are in the program. but during the summer they allow non-student to live there, so there can be babies, elderly, etc. so being quite after 10 is usually enforced.

* Food:

The food was amazing!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

ESN had a lot of events, but unfortunately the members kind of kept to themselves at events or talked to other Turkish people.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I called the ISS for advice, then there is suppose to be a 24 hour medical clinic but when I went for an eye infection they were closed? There are stray dogs everywhere, so if I would go back I would get the rabies vaccination to be safe.

* Safety:

Istanbul is a safe place in touristy places. I never had a problem riding a cab. I would be very cautious with belongings, being pick pocketed/trying to be pick pocketed is almost normal in Taksim. Due to American tv shows/movies, American women need to be a little more aware of their surroundings in crowded places.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Traveling, going out, etc. can get expensive! So I ate cheaply, usually spending $4 a meal, and eating twice a day.

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent around 250 liras a week, so about $140
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? USE THE BUSES, unless there is a group of 3 or 4 taxi fare can start adding up. Also, eat cheaply when possible! I tried to eat on $5 a meal.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I never came across this.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 3 semesters of Turkish
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE. I was never asked to speak Turkish, but I did anyways when speaking at restaurants, shopping, etc. The locals are extremely grateful for foreigners speaking turkish.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The freedom of being able to go where I wanted to.
* What could be improved?
  • Communication on how to get to places within the city and outside the city.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Istanbul is different from the rest of the country, I wish I would have planned more trips outside the city.