Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Istanbul - Culture & Fun Past Review

By (COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES., Fordham University) for

Koc University: Istanbul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
completely changed all my plans. being abroad helps you learn what you truly want in life. Best 4 months of my life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Computer Engineering classes are much more difficult. Liberal Arts classes are very easy. The students all speak English, but it is not their first language so you have a bit of an easier time.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

there to help you. do not take the course they offer specifically for CIEE students. extremely nice people who care about your well being. set up good trips for you.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

lots of places to eat on campus. they keep expanding.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

went to a turkish wedding. went to an eco farm. went to Troy. went on scavenger hunts throughout Istanbul.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

very safe compared to nyc

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50 a week (no meal plan offered)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? transportation was expensive (need to take taxis every at night after about 1 am

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? N
Language acquisition improvement?

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the activities
* What could be improved?
  • less constraints on where you go on weekends
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? this was good for students who wanted to have fun and party, but still learn a lot about a new culture. Turkey is extremely different from all other cultures because of its placement on the map.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Algorithms
Course Department: Computer Engineering
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Extremely challenging. Taught as a graduate level class.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Turkish
Course Department: Turkish
Instructor: Neslihan
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Good to learn some turkish while you're there. Worth taking. the teacher is very helpful and creates a fun learning atmosphere.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Music in Turkish History
Course Department: Music
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Good course, extremely Easy. Learned a lot of history.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Computer Networks
Course Department: Computer Engineering
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great course. A lot of work, but very rewarding
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

History and Culture of Turkey
Course Department: EXCH 301
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very good course to learn Turkish history. Strictly lecture so its sort of boring.
Credit Transfer Issues: