Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Great Cultural Experience Past Review

By (Economics., Middle East Technical University) for

Middle East Technical University: Ankara - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A wider world view, I was exposed to cultures from around the entire world through the Erasmus program

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.

Workload was not much at all, as the majority of my classes did not assign any homework at all. There was one lecture a week for 3 hours, a midterm and a final. 3 hours is much too long for my to keep my focus, and it was difficult to learn this way, especially with no assigned homework to practice what is being learned in class. The grading system is same as here in America.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It was fine

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Talked to local students, saw billbords and host students assisted in arranging my apartment

* Food:

All the food was halal, so it was good for me. There is an extremely cheap cafeteria that serves a lot of food for the equivalent of $1.25.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Istanbul, Cappadocia are must sees

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I had no safety concerns at all.

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? $20 on food, $10 on transportation
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Residency Permit is $75 and required by everyone. Lots of little administrative fees that add up

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The Students from all over the world
* What could be improved?
  • More specific start and end dates

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Turkey
Course Department: IR370
Instructor: ZERRİN TORUN
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A very excellent course designed specifically for exchange students. Gives a good overview of the history of Turkey and the struggles it has gone through and is currently going through. A very good class to get an understanding of many aspects of Turkish culture
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Women and the World Economy
Course Department: ECON 418
Instructor: SHEİLA MARGARET PELİZZON
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The professor is American so she is easy to understand, however I did not enjoy her teaching style. She just sits and speaks for 3 hours and your are expected to take notes. The class was fairly easy however as both the midterm and final were take home exams.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to International Economics
Course Department: ECON 353
Instructor: ÖZKAZANÇ ELİF AKBOSTANCI
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Though being an introduction class, it was one of my toughest classes. The professor speaks very good English but goes through material extremely fast. And as mentioned before, the entire class is based off of just one midterm and one final, although there is an extra credit opportunity, though it was extremely difficult.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Fiscal Policy and Public Finance
Course Department: ECON 312
Instructor: SERAP AŞIK
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A more difficult coarse. Non American universities tend to focus on the numbers side of economics more than the theory, and I was not initially use to that. However, I did learn much about public finance in this class
Credit Transfer Issues: