IES Abroad - Bogazici University Past Review
By Kimberley D (Intl Studies, University of Kentucky) - abroad from 06/15/2014 to 08/10/2014 with
Bogazici University: Istanbul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was absolutely worthwhile. Especially having to live in a country where the culture is so different, and it's not just a Western European city or another English speaking country. The culture itself is so rich and vibrant. I gained a bigger worldwide view, and the people I met made me realize just how small this world really is.
Review Photos
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. |
My classes were pretty challenging, but I had roommates who said their classes were relatively easy, so it was more of a spectrum. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
It's slightly hard to be a vegetarian and be in Turkey, so beware |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
My roommates (girls) had a few issues with being groped on crowded buses, one was followed home and harrassed at night. We also had about 8 parking attendants who would guard the parking structure next to our apartment who would stare at us like meat everytime we walked past them. Definitely something you just have to get used to and laugh about - it's a difference in gender perceptions between our cultures |
| 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) |
You have to take into account all the touristy things you want to do, but public transport is very cheap especially if you get a student's card, and it's easy to get multiple admission tickets into big name places like Aya Sofia and the Basilica Cistern |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around 250 Lira ($75) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Look for deals on public transportation cards. I didn't get one, but there are options available for students. I regret not getting one because I wasted a lot of small change on public transportation. Grocery shopping is very cheap and your go to option if you want to save money. Big bags of pasta are only around 40 cents. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | You can join Turkish classes which I know a lot of people did. However we were given 3 hours of intense Turkish instruction prior to starting classes, which was helpful. You can get by with no Turkish but it is quite hard and it's better to know a few key phrases than nothing at all |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I knew to pack better - don't bring too many warm clothes as it's going to be very hot there during the summer! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
