Istanbul, I Fell Hard For You Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Courses were less scintillating than they could have been, but I did have one class that was absolutely amazing and I really appreciated my Turkish Language class.

On-site administration of your program

Sometimes helpful, often frustrating. They are very slow and uncommunicative. Don't be afraid to go in and ask questions though! And make sure you get all the websites and insider information on bureaucratic nightmares like the Residence Permit.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I found my own housing arrangements on Craigslist and thought it was the best route to go. Search Rumeli Hisarustu or Bogazici University on the Turkish Craigslist and you can find some really affordable options by the university. I moved to a new neighborhood after the semester was over with some new friends and couldn't be happier with my Istanbul home.

Turkish food is amazing?! But this has nothing to do with the school. Don't come here with a zillion voluntary dietary restrictions. If you are vegan or vegetarian, give it up for a little while so you can try all the things that this place has to offer. There is nothing better than eating a freshly grilled fish sandwich next to the sparkling blue water from whence it came. Also--there are few better things on this earth than Saturday Turkish breakfast at the roof table at Kale Cafe with some friends.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I learned enough of the language to get by in a neighborhood produce market and have had amazing, long conversations about Turkish culture with my Turkish friends. That sounds so bottled, but I really believe that I have gotten fully integrated local culture experiences, but most occurred after the end of my semester and would not have happened if I didn't stay the summer.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare is accessible, but not knowing the language fluently makes it challenging. Just be sure to have someone to help you translate--you don't want to get something incorrect when you're dealing with health issues. I got a rabies vaccine before coming, which might be wise--lots of stray animals, though most are perfectly well-behaved and loving. Don't drink the water here! Not even the residents do! Bottled water always.

As a student told me after her experience here, Istanbul seems equivalent to any other large city in terms of safety concerns. Perhaps single women on the street at night are slightly more at risk here, but staying aware and not engaging in willfully risky behavior when fitting that profile are really all you need to be fine. Be very aware whenever you get in a taksi, especially alone or in a group of just girls. Don't sit in the front seat and don't be afraid to get out and get in a different taksi if he is making you uncomfortable. There are some ill-intentioned taksi drivers out there.

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

Some things in Istanbul are way cheaper than in other large European or American cities. Rent is cheap. Market vegetables, grains and bread are cheap. Packaged, pre-made food is a little more expensive. Going out is not too expensive food-wise, really really expensive drink-wise. You can be tempted to spend a lot here, but it's also possible to spend very little and still live well. Bargaining is such a thing here--makes a world of difference and is sooooo fun.

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

I guess I direct enrolled and wasn't part of any program, but I really encouraged myself to learn and use Turkish, so...

Select all that apply

• Apartment

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• International Students

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans

• The city
• The people
• The freedom to explore and figure it out on my own--autonomy

• Since it was direct enrollment and up to me, not much
• The academics were so-so, but I actually appreciated the time it freed up for me to engage in other things outside of school

The Outright Urbanite