I like it Past Review
By Lin K (International Studies, Fordham University) - abroad from 07/13/2015 to 08/09/2015 with
Bogazici University: Istanbul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Beyond learning Turkish, religion, politics, and cultures, I also learn how to LIVE. Turkey shows you another way of lifestyle.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The professors are so knowledgeable and always here for help. The landscape of Bogazici University must be a local attraction! The school meal is cheap and big. People are friendly! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Studied aboard in Bogacizi University, Istanbul in Summer 2015. The staffs of the program were so friendly and always available for help. Before our school started, we had trip at Ephesus, Izmir. And we had basic Turkish language lectures, and they were so useful and practical to "survive" in Turkey. Beyond the classroom, IES also conducted many workshops and walking tours to help us to embrace the local cultural, religion and history. People who are considering study aboard should try IES! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I cannot believe the apartment I was living was so fancy more than a hotel! |
| * Food: |
I like dondurma. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Always had workshops and walking tours, students have many chances to be engaged with locals |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never experienced any health issue there. But the staffs of the program so care about their students, they always reminded us to carry our insurance card with us, just in case. I feel so touched. |
| * Safety: |
It is Istanbul, a metropolitan and tourist city, anything can be happened. Just be careful. It would be fine if you know where to go. Basic knowledge of Turkish is also important! I was always in safe condition and the staffs protected their students so well. Alarm was always sent due to some global issue. |
| 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) |
school meal is so cheap, 1.50 TL for each, and can feed you so full. Everything is cheap in Turkey, even though in Istanbul when you convert the currency to USD. Do not buy anything from bazzar, they are so expensive, only if you are good at bargaining.Go to Taksim, Karakoy, Kadikoy or other places for shopping. Round-trip flight tickets are always around 130TL or less than $60 nationwide in Turkey. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just do go shopping in either Grand Bazzar or Egyptian (Spices) Bazzar, only if you are good at bargaining. Honestly, people usually could not control themselves once they go there.Indirim var mi? |
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 |
We even had Turkish language lectures. I like Zeylep, our instructor, she is so funny. The lectures helped me a lot to "survive" (for food). |
| 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? | advanced |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Please practice some basic Turkish, because many Turkish people do not speak English. At least learn how to order food, numbers and how to bargain in bazzar, just give the local a shock. They will treat you like brothers or sister once they learn you can speak Turkish, even just "Merhaba". Go feel their hospitality! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 10+ |
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 could know how to bargain. Lost many money in the bazzar in the first few weeks. |
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 LinguistYou 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 for foreigners |
| Course Department: | Modern Language |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | |
| Comments: | It was challenging, but the content of the textbook is so useful and I have never been afraid to speak Turkish with the local people. Nese, the intructor, is so patient to explain. There were 2 midterms and 1 final. Homework assigned for each class, indeed, the assignments were not heavy, but practical. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Modern Syria and its politics |
| Course Department: | history |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | |
| Comments: | If you are interested of both Middle East and politics, you must try this course. I like my professor Burke, even though I do not get a good grade, I really learn a lot from Professor Buke, she is so knowledgeable. The course helps me a lot to understand the ideology of Islam, and Arab nationalism. There were 1 midterm and 1 final. One presentation was conducted because we did not do well on the midterm. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
