Amazing and Unique Experience in Turkey!!!! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I think most American students will find their study abroad experience and classes to be easier than their home universities. It also is dependent on the classes you choose. At Koc, I felt depending on the class you chose you could have a lot of work, but as the university is taught in English for Turkish students, you will have an easier time than any Turkish student. Teachers here also acknowledge that you are on exchange and are fairly amenable to that.

On-site administration of your program

The people of CIEE in Istanbul do a really good job organizing our program. They are also great people and their office is on campus. They were willing to help us out with everything and their office was always open if we ever want to stop in for some cay (Turkish tea). Pretty much they were like our parents and older siblings away from home. And they organized really great study trips.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing is really, really nice at Koc. It's typical dorms, kind of like freshmen dorms. What is really nice here is how much they clean everything. There is cleaning staff here 24/7 and they clean the bathrooms about 3 times a day. It's actually so much to the point of uncomfortable and weird. Anyways the staff here is amazing and deserved to be recognized for it.

First off, Turkish food is amazing!!! And the campus has so many food options its a little overwhelming. I have been here for almost 6 months and I have not eaten at every food establishment on campus. Food it Turkey is also really cheap too. Great bonus.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I have to answer this question in two parts. Koc is a very unique campus and not representative of Turkish local culture. The students here are the richest kids of Turkey and on campus I never felt really integrated into the culture. For the most part, there was a distinct separation between exchange and Turkish students, with obvious exceptions of course. Out in the city, it was much easier to be immersed in local culture. While it will be definitely evident that you are a foreigner, Turkish people are very nice and helpful.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Never experienced anything first hand but I have heard great things. Sorry I cannot comment more.

As far as safety, especially in a place like Turkey, common sense will get you far. There is a strong Muslim population here, some who openly do not like Americans or the United States. It is just about being smart and not being and obnoxious traveller who is very offensive. I never felt unsafe anywhere in the city, even at night. Just be smart and travel with a buddy, don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself, and do what the locals do.

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

Food in Turkey is extremely cheap in comparison to the United States. The most you will probably spend in Turkey is on public transportation, and once you get your student travel card that becomes significantly cheaper. I think Turkey is one of the cheaper places to study abroad. Obviously if you are going to do a ton of shopping for clothes and stuff, money adds up, but day to day living is very minimal.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The Turkish class for exchange students was kind of a joke. It was really easy to get an A and I definitely learned some Turkish, but it was in no way intensive. I probably won't remember much after I leave. Then again, I did not apply myself as much as I could of. Could be different for other people.

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