Experience as a Student in Istanbul

What is it like to live in Istanbul? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Istanbul is unique because it is a land of extremes. For example, when I was a student, I lived near one of the tallest buildings in all of Europe. I also would spot horse-drawn carts in my neighborhood. Istanbul exists as a mesh of village-life and modern living, all in one city. With about 17 million people, this makes it a city of intense culture. I love the intersection of new and old; I can stop at the corner shop and buy bread on my way home, and I can also go see top concerts and performances at the large stadiums, malls, and event spaces in my area. Life is exciting in a city like this.

Transportation in Istanbul is great, allowing you go to anywhere without a car. There are many metro lines and buses, and also an underwater metro line that runs beneath the Bosphorus (the Marmaray). Taxis are everywhere, which is especially helpful when you need to get to the airport with lots of heavy luggage. Get a student IETT card! This will save you a lot of money on transport, almost 50% off of the normal prices.

What is the student lifestyle like in Istanbul?

There are a ton of universities in Istanbul, so there is a vibrant student life. Turkish culture is a very close culture, so people often hang out and chill at cafes and on any green-spaces during nice weather. This applies to students as well. Once you start making friends in your classes, be sure to keep your schedule a bit flexible so that you can have time to "chill" with them as well.

How much does it cost to live in Istanbul?

Living in Istanbul is very cheap if you are coming from the euro or dollar, because of the exchange rate. As a student, I paid about 700 TL each month for housing. Meals can range from 10 - 35 TL at a restaurant near a university. Also, there are often student discounts for visiting museums or going to concerts. The Museum Card for students is a great deal, and will save you a lot of money if you want to visit all the top places in Istanbul (like the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace).

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Is it difficult to find accommodation in Istanbul? Is there any advice you can give?

There are often dorms at the universities, but I found my room through Craigslist. There are also Facebook groups where people advertise when they are renting out rooms in their apartments. Look for a spot that is very close to your campus, as it will make life a lot easier than if you have a long commute each day.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Food in Istanbul is delicious. Make sure to try the zeytinyagli dishes, which are foods with olive oil. These are usually vegan, if you make sure to ask if they don't include meat (et means beef in Turkish). The lentil soup (mercimek corbasi) is very simple but one of my favorites! Most of the Turkish restaurants have exactly the same menus, or they have a few specials that go along with the region that the owners are from. Some restaurants specialize in "iskender", a dish of beef with bread and tomatoes and covered in melted butter. Other cafes may specialize in "pide", which is a Turkish-style pizza. There are also some international restaurants, if you feel like something non-Turkish. These can often be found at the malls.

What places would you recommend visiting in Istanbul?

Topkapi Palace is one of my favorite sites in Istanbul, as well as its houses immense history, beauty and gorgeous views. Near there is the Basilica Cisterns, which are underground water-storage areas that are eery, quiet and beautiful. Besides, Bebek is a wonderful place to visit, and along with the Bosphorus view there is also a lot of other stuff to do! If you are an Erasmus student at Bogazici University, this is your 'hood.

1. Chill like the Turks and get a hot drink at the 4-story Starbucks in Bebek. This is a great place to meet friends and/or study.
2. Take a short walk up the Bosphorus to Rumeli Hisari. This is a fortress that was initially constructed in just a few months. Along with its long history, it has great views, is pretty cheap to enter and makes you feel like you have stepped back in time.
3. Walk a bit further up the Bosphorus on a Saturday to visit the Borusan Contemporary Museum. This museum is only open to the public on Saturdays, and they do have a student discount. Besides having some great contemporary art, there are so many picture opportunities that you won't be able to count them all. Take a selfie with a unique piece of art, or stand with an ultra-high view of the Bosphorus.
4. Take a short bus ride a bit further during April and visit the Tulip Festival at Emirgan Park. This is a big tradition in Istanbul and has gorgeous flower displays and you will probably spot at least 14 brides taking pictures there while you are at it.

Is it good to eat out in Istanbul? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Many students eat entirely on campus, because the public universities have heavily-subsidized cafeterias. There are also cheap cafes near most of the campuses. I studied at Bogazici University, and I usually ate at the cafeterias. Just be sure to also eat healthy!

Near Bogazici University, there is a cafe called Tahin that has Lebanese food. This is one of my current favorites. Try their falafel salad!

Also, hit up Kadikoy if you are in need of a hipster coffee shop. Wander into Rasimpasa or Moda to find the best spots (like Cafe Mu and Benazio Cafe).

What advice would you give future students heading to Istanbul?

Find a local friend who can help you out, and ask them what they normally do in their spare time. Also, keep a look out for campus events and free concerts. Make sure to visit the sites, but also take time to wander the various neighborhoods and get a feel for what makes them each unique and special.