It was an AMAZING experience and I plan to return as soon as possible! Past Review
By Johanna H (Berea College) - abroad from 05/10/2012 to 05/31/2012 with
Berea College: Istanbul - Middle Eastern Cultures: Religion and Arts in Context
I gained a new perspective of the world. The ignorant stereotypes that Americans have about the rest of the world are false and no one should never jump to negative assumptions. The people were very accommodating and very friendly. I have gained lifelong friendships and everlasting memories. I felt slightly depressed when I returned home because I found myself missing Turkey. It was a trip of a lifetime and I'm glad Turkey was my very first view of the world outside my own.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There was not a day that passed that we did not learn something new. The itinerary was intense but rewarding. Along with out daily ventures, we had required readings and daily journal entries. I would say that we stepped outside being a mere tourist and really attempted to submerge our self into the culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our professor set everything up and he did a wonderful job doing so. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing accommodations met all our needs. |
| * Food: |
We never went hungry and the food was fabulous. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Our host family fell through, which did not give us the experience of the day to day life of the family. But we were given assignments to go out and interact with the locals and to speak and learn their language. We interacted with the staff of our hotel and hostiles. I would like to believe that we interacted with the locals more so than most tourists. My favorite experience would have to be when we stopped in a very small town on our way out of Ankara and we were broken into groups and told to roam the village and interact with locals. My group ended up by the school and were surrounded by children. It was amazing getting to see a apart of Turkey that most visitors do not get to see or experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Istanbul required intensive walking that most of us were not use to. After almost a week, some students began to have swollen legs, ankles, and feet. There was a day or two where many of us were pretty drained which enabled up to fully appreciate what we were experiencing that day. We were attended to and at one point stopped at a pharmacy. |
| * Safety: |
There was never a moment that I felt unsafe during the trip. We were given necessary curfews that varied depending on which city we were in and practiced the buddy system. |
| 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) |
Besides my own personal overspending on souvenirs, our budget covered everything else. Every museum, event, gallery, meal, and housing was covered. I never had to worry about money. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 on souvenirs and various items and snacks outside of meals. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bargain better and you get a much better exchange rate at an ATM. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None. We were given a few programs and lessons to complete before going. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Start practicing as soon as you get excepted into the program. Knowing the language is very beneficial and the locals really appreciate it. Even a simple "thank you" in the local language goes a long way. |
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? | Nothing. I loved every moment and learning experience. |
