E-mail: Tugce.ulusan@hotmail.com
Study Program: Psychology
Exchange semester: Spring 2015
Academic year: 2014/2015
Host University: Bogazici University
Country: Turkey
I GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL
If you compare the location of the universities in Istanbul, you can say that this university is
pretty much in the center of Istanbul, which makes it so much easier to explore the city. The
traffic is namely pretty hectic. Bogazici University is located in Bebek/Etiler on the European
side, directly to the Bosporus. You have the most amazing views from the south campus
(main campus), for example the Rumeli Hisari (Rumelian fortress) and the beautiful coast on
the Asian side. Most of the campuses are located close to each other, but for example Kilyos
campus, where the university has their own beach, is two hours from the main campus. The
Ucaksavar campus hosts the Superdorm, a sport complex and a cultural center with for
example sports and arts facilities. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and markets near the
campus where you can have a drink or eating out.
Istanbul is a beautiful, historical city with both great sightseeing in the older places as well as
the ‘newer’ places of Istanbul. First, you definitely have to go to the famous Eminonu, where
you can visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern. Once you’re there, you
won’t forget to visit the Galata tower and the Galata bridge. Other places you have to visit on
the European side are Ortakoy, Karakoy, several palaces like the Dolmabahce palace and
Topkapi palace.
There are also lots (and lots!) of shopping areas in the city including nice boutiques and
famous Italian brands. The places I recommend are the Istiklal street, Bagdat street (in
Kadikoy) and malls like IstinyePark and Zorlu Center.
As to sightseeing and to hang out, I liked the Asian side the most. It is mainly because of the
atmosphere and the people living there. You can travel to the districts on the Asian side easily
by ferries. I really love the coast of Moda! It’s a place in Kadikoy. The coast and the streets of
Moda are way less crowded and more peaceful than the rest of the city. I also felt like the
people there are even more kindly and warmer. Other places you definitely have to visit on
the Asian side are Beylerbeyi Palace, Kanlica, Cengelkoy and the bazar in Kadikoy. Don’t
forget to hang out on the Princes’ Islands! As to nightlife, I would recommend clubs in
Kurucesme and Taksim.
II PRACTICAL INFORMATION
I received the pre-arrival information 3-4 months before I left, without any difficulties. I didn’t
have to get a visa nor a residence permit because I also have a Turkish ID, but I have heard
from fellow students that it is pretty easy to get one. I arrived in Istanbul two weeks before the
classes would start. The nearest airport to the university is the Ataturk Airport. An
acquaintance who lives very close to the airport, picked me up and brought me to the
campus, which was very kind of him. From what I know, if you want to go with a cab to the
campus, it will cost you about 40-60 TL (20-30 euro), depends on the traffic.
I stayed at the Superdorm in a four bedroom suite, a dormitory on the Ucaksavar campus for
exchange and special students. Each student has their own room and in the dormitory they
provide laundry and cleaning services, a market, a café and study rooms. The only
disadvantage to stay there is that guests can only stay till 1 am. If you want to spend less
money for housing, I would recommend a flatshare in Hisarustu, Bebek or Etiler.
On the orientation day, we got information about the university, the city, IESN and the course
registration. IESN also provided a buddy system.
I financed my exchange period from the Erasmus grant, stufi and my own savings. Living in
Istanbul is cheaper than in Tilburg, especially the food, shopping and entrances to historical
buildings, parks etc. Traveling by buss or flight to other cities is also relatively cheap. I spent
most of my money on presents and concerts. I would advice others to spend their money on
visiting different historical places.
The classes of spring semester started in the beginning of February, till the end of May. There
wasn’t an introductory week. They have a spring break in April. The examination period is in
May and June. The university has an international office on the main campus. Jana is
responsible for the incoming exchange students. I was very satisfied with the information
provided by them and how things went when you had questions.
IESN Bogazici organized trips, meetings and activities for exchange students. This semester
they organized trips to Izmir and Cappadocia. I hung out with exchange as well as local
students. The local students of Bogazici are very open-minded and helpful. I had fun going
out with local and exchange students. After three months of my return to Tilburg, I still have
contact with some of them!
I didn’t experience culture shock while I was on exchange and I also didn’t have any
difficulties as to the language, because I am Turkish as well. The only thing I was surprised
about, was that in the more ‘modern’ districts in Istanbul, the people are a bit more
individualistic than I thought they might be. Overall, everyone I met had the Turkish
hospitality, warmth, helpfulness and most of them were open-minded. The local people also
didn’t know anything about punctuality, which was an advantage for me because I am used to
being late.
This exchange made me even more open-minded than I was before, mainly because Istanbul
is a MULTIcultural city with people coming from different places all over the world and I loved
it. I like to find out different cultures and knowing more about them. I also learned how to be
flexible when things don’t go as planned and to be an independent traveler. This experience
improved my self-development as to having an opinion about certain cases, for example
political and social.
III ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Almost all of the courses are offered in English. I had to choose courses from the Psychology
Department as a substitute for the courses that I would have taken in Tilburg. I definitely
recommend the courses given by the professors Esra Mungan and another professor whom I
forgot the name (the name of the course is PSY 222 Learning). I really liked their way of
teaching and their thoughts about psychology and life in general!
The level of teaching is excellent! It is a combination of the European and the American
system. The differences with Tilburg are for example, the many readings, midterms and the
many written assignments. The academic level is quite the same as in Tilburg. All the
teachers I had were open-minded and had a critical view. One teacher for example, was
against written exams because then she would have the feeling that the students would sit in
class in order to pick up only the things they think they had to study for the exams. Thus she
gave lectures with many discussions with lively students. I also noticed that in Bogazici, they
go way deeper in psychological topics than we do in Tilburg, which I found very interesting.
The relationship between student and teacher is also closer than in Tilburg.
Most of the exams I took were written exams and papers about cases. The courses I took (all
6 ECTS):
PSY 222 Learning
PSY 326 Human Memory
PSY 363 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 362 Measurement in Psychology
TIPS
I would definitely recommend an exchange period. It would be even better if you can study for
two semesters at Bogazici University. The location, the environment and the teachers are
excellent. Before going on exchange, make sure you take a language course once you arrive,
because the local people doesn’t speak good English. Last but not least, don’t forget to enjoy
every moment of it! Even when things don’t go as planned, because eventually it will be a
learning experience in itself.
Contact details:
Tugce.ulusan@hotmail.com