You take from it what you reach for Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Depending on your class, the experiences were very different. I had some challenging courses with amazing professors, then some that were overly easy and not stimulating in the least. The work load involved lots of reading, in the most part, with submitted work occurring in bursts. The schedule of classes was difficult to get accustomed to as it didn't have a clear pattern. The courses also had a more theoretical and less research based stance, which was interesting.

On-site administration of your program

Assistance was available and readily provided, but the bureaucracy was pretty thick. It required persistence and a lot of leg-work to get things done.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I found a place to sublet at online (craigslist.com) while other people in my program were freaking out due to housing limitations and superdorm issues. I lived in a residential area with lots of students, but lots of families and almost all Turks. Although our apartment had some cleanliness and repair issues, it was wonderful. We did not speak much Turkish in the apartment, but living in the neighborhood really helped my Turkish.

Turkish food is amazing and cheap. I have lactose intolerance, however, and there is a lot of dairy. I noticed a lack of vegan friendly options, but didn't consider it much. Dine in small restaurants, especially Tantuni at the Nispetiye circle in front of Bogazici south campus. They are incredibly friendly and they had the best tavuk sis in Istanbul.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Because my language skills were poor, it was hard to have deep interaction without being a burden to Turkish speakers. The trips arranged by the student trip-taking groups were touristy and not very enjoyable. It can be intimidating and startling to get used to the degree to which you receive comments and stares if you stand out. It takes time to adjust to. Sexual harrassment is also more prevalent, especially if you are very apparently foreign. The best moments came from exploring the city in a casual manner. There are many wonderful museums and attractions.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have health issues that I needed addressed on the trip. Missing class from illness put me far behind early on, but that would happen anywhere. The city itself felt safer in parts than my home city (of Buffalo, NY). There is a greater acceptance of people staring and saying comments that make it very uncomfortable at times. It is not a safe city for LGBTIQQ folk, especially gender variant people. Transgender students should be very careful and mindful that it is possible to be fined for your gender presentation. Mind you, it is pretty good for trans folk as locations go.

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

At the university, English was used in class by all, but services and any interaction outside the university required Turkish. With only limited Turkish, it is possible to get by very well. Turkish is extremely beneficial and more necessary than we were led to believe upon entering the program considering that communication with non-faculty staff and even other students called for Turkish language skills.

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• International Students