Reviews of Bogaziçi Üniversitesi | Turkey

Useful | 0

Bram J

Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Student life

Describe host city:

Students equally interact with the local and student community

Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

Travel, Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Personal social experience

Activities

Nightlife

Travel

Overall

Personal comments

Obviously Taksim is the starting place from where you can visit the 'best touristic' spots. However, everywhere around Bogazici there are cafe's and restaurants. I believe this is the case everywhere in Istanbul. In September 2005 it was chosen to be the most vivid city of Europe/the world by Newsweek.

Useful | 0

Bram J

Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Housing

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why?

Close to University; Istanbul's trafic jams are famous. Certain of contact with other people, pretty good facilities -although lacking hot plate to cook on and some other stuff.

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

Personal comments

Although it is different from what I'm used to get in Holland, I believe this is also part of the cultural experience.

Useful | 0

Bram J

Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Languages

Language of instruction: English

Local language was: Different than language of instruction

Was learning English a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my English

Was learning the local language a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language

How much did you improve your English?

My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)

How much did you improve your the local language?

My level before: Basic phrases
My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)

Language difficulties

Social

Educational

Administrative / Institutional

Overall

Personal comments

Although English is the official language of instruction, there are many officials not speaking at all -or only speaking a few words- of the English language. Still most people are very friendly if you are trying to make them understand including Turkish in your sentences.

Useful | 0

Bram J

Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Academic

Course recommendations

take a look here: http://registration.boun.edu.tr/ Click on 'general services' and 'schedule' to view the courses offered in your specific semester. It differs a lot from the general course listing. The information given by contact persons is usually not totally correct.

My academic experiences

Quality of courses

Variety of courses

Access to resources

Interaction with teachers

Interaction with international students

Interaction with local students

Personal comments

none

My opinion of the university assessment

Exams at end of course

Exams throughout the course

Essays and/or projects at the end of course

Essays and/or projects throughout the course

Overall

Useful | 1

Bram J

Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Expenses

Main source of funding:

Government assistance

Other sources of funding:

Family<br> Personal savings<br> An ERASMUS grant

Work opportunities:

I didn't explore any work options

Personal spending habits

At home University/housing/food is included in a fee that my parents pay. So the food is cheaper in Turkey but I had to pay it from my own money. Furthermore I spended more money on random things, more than I would do in Holland.

Nightlife, Travel, Overall:

was more expensive than at home.

Housing, Food:

was the same price as at home.

Telephone:

was less expensive than at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

I am not sure whether it is cheaper to cook your own food or buy it in restaurants (10 Lira's for an all-included diner on the one hand and initial purchases of hot plate etc. for own cooking on the other hand). Think smart before you go to Istanbul. Clothes are very cheap here, you might bring your own laptop/telefone/hotplate with you..

Useful | 0

Bram J

Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Overall

I wish I had known...

not really no, except for the raining part and rainproof boots.

In my opinion:

I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

2

Culture

3

Costs

2

Activities

2

Campus life

2

Party / people

3

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

If you like a culturally differing experience, are willing to act independently and want to broaden your mind this is the right place to go.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

3

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

3

Became more independent

3

Partied a lot

3

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

3

Final comments

Winter, snow and rain in Istanbul gives wet feet and a depressed mood. Make sure you have rainproof boots! Summer is bringing the sun on your face, Istanbul is a great city and you will have plenty of opportunities to travel around the country cheap. However, if you want to travel outside of Istanbul you better learn the language.

Bogaziçi Üniversitesi

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