Erasmus Experience in Istanbul, Turkey by Agnieszka

Why did you choose to go to Istanbul, Turkey?

I choose to go to Istanbul because for me Turkey is an 'exotic' country, I've never been there and I didn't know much about it. I wanted to see some completely different culture from mine and I've heard many good opinions from students about Erasmus in Istanbul. Also I liked the idea that the weather is so great there.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I got around 350 euro per month. Of course it is not enough for everything, so my parents are sending me some extra money.

What is the student lifestyle like in Istanbul?

Students are generally very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately many Turkish students don't speak English at all which surprises me... I've met here a lot of students from different countries, most of them like entertainment, going to pubs, bars, parties, cafes, concerts etc. Erasmus in Istanbul is a really great opportunity because in this city somehow people are more open to each other, happier, they enjoy every day. In Poland and other European countries people have distance to each other, in my opinion they are more sad, lonely and depressed. Istanbul is a completely different world, in my opinion better world. Of course, there are many cultural differences and you may be shocked at first but then you will fall in love with this city for sure.

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Would you recommend the city and the University of Istanbul to other students?

I would definitely recommend Istanbul and Yeditepe University. The city is huge but don't worry, you will get to know it very quickly. It has a lot to offer, many historical, cultural and entertainment places. You will never be bored. Great food! Turkish people are always willing to help you, even if they don't speak English/German they will manage to communicate with you and solve your problems. And it is not so dangerous as you may think. I always thought that Turkey is a quite dangerous place, people can kill you, rape you, rob you etc., but I feel safe here, it's like in any other city. The weather is also great, my country is quite cold and here even sometimes in November there can be 20 degrees.

I am also very, very happy about my university - Yeditepe Universitesi. It just couldn't be better! It is big and beautiful. It is located on hills on Asian side of the city. Buildings are new and they have golden color. Campus is huge, there is everything you need. Cafes, restaurants, shops, banks, much green areas, tennis courts, gym, even an open swimming pool! There are many different opinions about level of education and teachers/staff. But I cannot complain. I have more interesting lectures than in Poland, every course is in English, level of education is really good. Administration staff is really friendly and helpful, I didn't have any problems so far. The university has some similarity to American schools, we have cute yellow buses. It is quite expensive and fancy university. Most students are very fashionable, even boys. Turkish girls are mean and generally they don't like European girls. Turkish guys are very handsome and they like us a lot.

What is the food like?

There is a great diversity of food in Istanbul. Everyday I discover something new. During the first month of my stay I was feeling really bad because this food is completely different from Polish food and I had to get used to it. But it is really tasty! When you will be in Istanbul you should try different kinds of kebap, manti, pide, börek and from desserts - baklava, lokum and Turkish puddings. I think I'm gonna miss this food when I come back to my country.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Istanbul?

I have found a nice room in Erasmus flat very near my university. I found it on the Internet one month before my flight to Istanbul. I was a little afraid, I didn't want to be cheated so I asked so many questions to the owner... I had to pay 100 euro deposit before my arrival but eventually everything was ok, I couldn't have a better place to stay. I'm living in a new building with other Erasmus students. Owners of the flats are like our family, they are very friendly, they invite us often for a dinner.

Here is the link to these Erasmus apartments on the website: Skyhousing.

How much does it cost to live in Istanbul?

I am from Poland and for me it's a little more expensive in Istanbul than in my country. For some people it is very cheap, for others it's very expensive... So it depends. Generally it is said that Istanbul is an expensive city. 500 euro per month is enough for me to live in Istanbul. I pay about 220 euro for my flat and the rest is for food and some entertainment. Although if you would like to go out very often and participate in Erasmus trips you should have more money than 500 euro...

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Of course, there are Turkish courses at Yeditepe University. Teachers are very good and friendly. In my opinion, it is easy to learn grammar and vocabulary. You just need to be hard-working and spend some time on it. I was surprised that Turkish grammar is completely different from other languages that I know! But don't worry, it is more simple fortunately. For me it is very difficult to 'hear' the language. They speak so fast and I can just hear some sounds, not words that I already should know... So learning Turkish is quite challenging but I hope that after two semesters I will be able to communicate.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Istanbul from your city?

I think that the best option of travelling from Poland to Istanbul is to take a plane. I cannot imagine other option.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Istanbul?

If you are seeking for a good entertainment during evening or night you should definitely go to the European side to Taksim. Taksim is a very famous district with clubs, pubs, bars, restaurants and shops. It is full of people during daytime and at night. It is one of the most famous avenues in Istanbul visited by nearly 3 million people in a single day over the course of weekends! Parties in Taksim are awesome.

On the other hand, if you prefer more luxurious clubs then you should go to Ortakoy at the European side, to clubs like Reina or Anjelique. They are open-air exclusive clubs just at the Bosphorus site with a stunning view

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And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Istanbul?

Every time I go to different places to try something new, so it's hard to say which restaurants are the best... But you should definitely go to Simit Sarayı for some food and çay (Turkish tea), and to Mado for some dessert.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Oh there are many, many cultural sites worth visiting. I've been here for 3 months and I haven't seen even half of it. For sure you have to visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Galata Tower, Basilica Cistern and many museums and art galleries.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Istanbul in the future?

Don't hesitate, choose Istanbul for your Erasmus! It will be the best time in your life.