Getting lost in Turkey lets you find yourself. Past Review
By Bryan K (Mechanical Engineering, University of Tulsa) - abroad from 01/27/2015 to 06/07/2015 with
Koc University: Istanbul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned to become more independent through traveling the country alone.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
Everyone in CIEE who wanted an on campus dorm room got one. The main drawback is that campus is 70 minutes |
| * Food: |
The on campus food was a lot better and cheaper than back in the states. Istanbul has mainly locally owned restaurants, so enjoy those and go to a fish dinner. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The locals are mostly welcoming, but it can be a bit difficult connecting with Turkish students, because they mainly speak Turkish amongst themselves. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | ATMS typically charge you a few dollars for each withdrawal, so I would take out a few weeks worth of money, but only keep a week or so worth on you. |
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 |
There was a required Turkish course. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| 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? | Learn travel language, so you can survive the first day. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Travel the first few weekends. You will get busy with school work, and everyone else will have gone to all the cool spots in Turkey, so it is hard to find someone else who has not gone. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
