Istanbul: From Student to City Dweller
-
How to Plan Weekend and Day Trips from Istanbul
Living in Istanbul is amazing for many reasons, and one reason is the easy and inexpensive traveling options to other cities! So I thought that today I could share with you some advice on how to plan weekend and day trips from Istanbul. While I lived in Istanbul, I...
-
Turkish words and phrases you should learn!
Before I moved to Istanbul for 4 months to be an exchange student, I learned some common Turkish phrases from my friends. These phrases (and more that I learned once I arrived) were very helpful in getting around the city and being able to shop, eat at cafés and...
-
Tulip Festival in Istanbul. Beauty in April.
Istanbul is a beautiful city in the spring, but one special aspect of the city makes all the difference: The tulips "Lale" in Turkish, the tulips that are famous in the Netherlands actually came from Turkey. Istanbul in particular takes great pride in this beautiful...
-
Kadıköy ~ Your New Favorite "Semt"
"Semt" in Turkish really translates to "neighborhood." Because Istanbul is such a large city, you end up identifying a lot of areas by neighborhood. For example, Beşiktaş is a key neighborhood where many students spend their time, as the food is cheap and there are...
-
Why I loved studying at Bogazici University
When I first looked at studying as an exchange student in Turkey, I had 2 options: Bogazici University and Bilkent University. These two universities had partner programs with my university (Georgia Institute of Technology), which allowed me to have a set protocol for...
-
Turkish Hospitality. How Everyone Is Family
My first experience of living outside of the United States occurred in the fall of 2013. That semester, I moved to Istanbul as an exchange student at Bogazici University. During those first weeks, there were many parts of life that I had to adjust to, like shopping in...
-
Island Time on the Prince's Islands
Living in a crowded city can sometimes be overwhelming. Istanbul is unique in that a relaxing, beach-side getaway is less than an hour away. With ferries (vapur) setting off from Eminönü, Kadiköy, Beşiktaş, and Bostancı each day for the Prince's Islands (Adalar),...
-
First Experience in a Turkish Grocery Store
I walked in slowly, hesitantly. This was all very different to me, and I wasn’t sure what to do first. What to look for. Where to go. My eyes searched around, hoping that I didn’t look too lost, but knowing at the same time that I was indeed just that. I spied an...
-
Running the Nike Victory Tour Race in Istanbul!
I used to say that I couldn't run. I mean, it's super hard. I would get out of breath after only a few yards, and I really felt that it wasn't for me. But, a small bit of me really wanted to become a good runner. So, I started to run just a bit here and there, slowing...
-
How I Chose to Be an Exchange Student in Istanbul
The Study Abroad Office 'So are you ready for Bogazici University? ' My study abroad mentor asked. 'Yes, I think I am' And I was being honest. I had done all the paperwork, sent in my applications, found out how to apply for a student visa and even booked my plane...
-
5 Tips to Living Like a Local in Istanbul
Source In the fall of 2013, I arrived in Istanbul to study as an exchange student at Bogazici University. It was my first experience living outside of the USA, and I was ready to get the full experience of living abroad. However, I wasn't quite prepared for how...