Challenging, Exciting and Fun. Duke in Turkey Past Review

By (HISTORY., Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/06/2013 to 06/10/2013 with

Bogazici University: Istanbul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Independence What it's like being in a totally different culture Definitely worthwhile

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Not very intense, but rigorous grading system at Bogazici

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very good; excellent support

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

This was on our own.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

Felt very safe

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Almost 2000 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook food at home; Turkey's grocery stores are very cheap.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
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? Try to learn some Turkish before hand

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • Fellow students
  • Organization
  • Cultural activities
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with Turkish students
  • Housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? They actually did a very good job preparing us; I wish, though, I had known at least minimal Turkish coming into the program.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Turkish

Course Department: Turkish Language
Instructor: Ceyda
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Not very challenging, but very helpful. Professor was very knowledgable, and ultimately it helped us get around the city. I wish we had more of this class.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A