Istanbul: Best Experience of my Life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses were easier on a day to day basis than American classes, but there were no standards when it came to grading. Some professors graded the foreigners harder than the Turks. Some professors underlined big words in our papers and said we couldn't possibly know the definition and thus, took off points for being a native English speaker. We took the latter up with the university and most of us in this situation got the points back, but it was a frustrating mess of an ordeal.

On-site administration of your program

Ece in the international office is a godsend. The first week that I was there, before registration, my eyes were really dried out and my contact got stuck. Ece took me to the doctor, translated for me and made sure that I didn't go blind in the process. I cannot thank her enough for that.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in the superdorm. It was a ripoff monetarily. However, I loved my roommates and my neighbors. More specifically, I lived with two Turkish girls and an Iranian girl. Both of the Turkish girls actually lived with their boyfriends but their parents didn't know, so they were never there. As such, I mostly lived with my Iranian flatmate. We became very close friends and I ended up helping her get a student visa to finish her masters in the states. I'm visiting her soon. I met some guys the first or second week I was there who happened to live down the hall from me. They became my very close friends. I mostly hung out with Turks who lived in the superdorm, but a lot of Americans were there too. During the semester I sort of served as a bridge between the group of Americans there and the Turks. It was a good way to meet people, but if I had to choose again, I would have gotten an apartment in Taskim.

The dorm food is terrible. Every restaurant delivers for free tho. I tended to go to the pazar (farmer's market) and buy fresh veggies and fruit and use that for cooking.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Best time of my life. I went sailing with friends down the bosphorus and into the sea of marmara, dardenelles and aegean. Spent a weekend at a friend's beach house on the mediterranean coast. Went all over the Balkans, Turkey, and spent spring break in India. I regret nothing.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

As long as you watch what you say and follow the news, you'll be alright. Don't flaunt the fact that you're an American. They will overcharge you.

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

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• Dorm
• Apartment

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• Local Students
• International Students

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• Local Students