Erasmus Experience in Izmir, Turkey by David

Why did you choose to go to Izmir, Turkey?

It's quite cheap, and Gediz University was very temptating.

Source

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

I haven't received any scholarship yet.

What is the student lifestyle like in Izmir?

It depends a lot on what university you are studying and what you and your friends like to do, like in any place. In general, it is easy to pass and get good marks.

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

Yes, though I think there are better destinations. The main problem is that nobody speaks English around here.

What is the food like?

Very cheap and tasty. Really, really good in my opinion.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Izmir?

Not much, just be a little patient.

How much does it cost to live in Izmir?

It depends on how often do you want eat outside, trips you want to do... Saturdays nights can be very very expensive in many nightclubs. Maybe €500 per month is a reasonable amount of money.

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

That's the worst part of coming to Turkey: very few Turkish people speak English, and Turkish is not easy to learn for Europeans. Turkish classes are available in my university, though we don't learn much...

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

Alsancak mainly.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Not many, though Ephesus, Sirince and Pamukkale are close to Izmir.