Awesome, delicious, learning experience Past Review
By Naomi H (Sociology and Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/11/2014 to 06/08/2014 with
Bogazici University: Istanbul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
How to live on my own in a new place and adapt, it was 100% worthwhile
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Very academically rigorous at the University |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Vehbi, the director, was great. A few kinks need to be worked out in the organization such as help with obtaining residence permits. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Amazing apartment, amazing location. |
| * Food: |
Turkish food is the best. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You need to make an effort to be integrated, but it is possible. Thankfully we made a very close relationship with a family who owned out favorite restaurant which was the best experience of my semester. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare at Bogazici University is free |
| * Safety: |
It didn't feel safe to walk at night alone as a woman but otherwise during the day, and with others it was 100% fine |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | 0 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Try harder to make friends with the Turkish students |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
