Student Exchange Experience in Istanbul, Turkey by Alani

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

I received around 350TL a month only, for the period of one semester (4 months).

What is the student lifestyle like in Istanbul?

It's good, you can use your student ID to get discounted entry into a ton of attractions and museums, as well discounts on public transport which was very useful for me.

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

I definitely would. The culture there is completely unique, the buildings and architecture are beautiful, the food is amazing, and when it came to Istanbul University my lecturers were very helpful and accommodating of my inability to speak Turkish in the classroom.

What is the food like?

The food is A+++. I love Mediterranean food as is, so I thoroughly enjoyed Turkish cuisine. Recommended: döner, tavuk şiş, çorba, köfte, baklava, Turkish delights, kunefe, and their infamous çay.

Source

How much does it cost to live in Istanbul?

My university did not provide me with accommodation which meant I had to find one on my own. The prices were pretty hefty as I stayed in a tourist-y area, which was not good on my student budget. It cost me 1500TL a month for a tiny studio apartment in Sultanahmet, which I split with my friend.

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

I found it very difficult to understand the Turkish language, and was never able to grasp it even at the end of my stay. Yes, there are language courses available at the University but I didn't take them and found myself completely clueless to the language, especially since you can rarely find a Turk that can speak English.

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

Definitely the tramway in my area, as well as the Metrobuses (which are highly efficient) and the Metro subways. Make sure to buy an Istanbulkart as soon as you get to the airport because it'll cost you so much less to travel. Also once you've gotten your student ID card from university, go to an IETT office and get a student Istanbulkart for even further discounts on public transport.

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

Ziya Baba in Sultanahmet for the best kofte and tavuk sis, 360 Bufe in Taksim for the most incredible, juicy chicken doner. Hafiz Mustafa baklavas (and desserts in general) are amazing, but costly in comparison to other places (definitely worth it tho! )

Source

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

All of them!