Till Freyberg on his Erasmus stay at Bogazici University (2023-2024)

"I stayed at Bogazici University in Istanbul for two semesters, from September 2023 to June 2024, via Erasmus. Bogazici is a former American university, which means that the courses are still taught in English, and I was able to participate without any prior Turkish knowledge.

I had to apply a year in advance, i.e. in the winter semester 22/23, and I also had to collect documents such as an English language certificate or a letter of recommendation around this time. I was able to obtain the language certificate free of charge here at the FU by taking a language test. The next phase was in the summer before the exchange, when I had to fill out my learning agreement and look for accommodation. I had heard from others that it is best to look for short-term accommodation first and then find something long-term on site. So I booked an AirBnb for the first two weeks. Once I was there, there was a bit more bureaucracy to be taken care of. You had to apply for a residence permit and complete your enrolment at Bogazici. This also included choosing courses.

The procedure there is very different to hGermany. It's a bit like buying concert tickets, where everyone sits down on the morning it opens and tries to book their courses as quickly as possible before they are all fully booked. Bogazici didn't have a Department of Archaeology, so I booked most of my courses in the Department of History. But there were also archaeological courses, such as the ‘Political and Cultural Landscape of Phrygia and Lydia’. Many also took Turkish language classes, which I would highly recommend.

For my long-term accommodation, I booked an AirBnb again for the first semester, but there are also other options, especially Facebook and Sahibinden (it's like Turkish Ebay). Rental prices are comparable to Berlin. Erasmus funding helps a lot, but it can't finance your entire stay. I was able to sublet my flat in Berlin during this time, so I was lucky. The university campus itself is incredibly beautiful and well connected via an underground. It's a bit out of town, right on the Bosphorus (hence the name of the university). Istanbul itself has extremely good public transport, with underground trains, buses, boats and cable cars. However, the city itself is so big that you really have to get used to it. That is why I would always recommend doing two semesters if you can.

The university also offers good opportunities to meet people. Apart from the courses, there is the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), for example. Here, Turkish students organise events and excursions for Erasmus students. However, it has to be said that you mainly get to know other Erasmus people through ESN. The university also has student clubs for all kinds of hobbies: sports, chess, cinema, board games, art, and music (with bands and proper studios). These clubs can seem a bit inaccessible at first because they are often organised in Turkish, but they are a great opportunity to get to know Turkish students. I, for example, made many friends through the board game club.

Istanbul itself is of course a breath-taking city with an incredible amount to see. Even in my one year there, I was not able to see everything. Places like the archaeological museum, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce are all amazing, and as a student enrolled in a Turkish university, you can get a museum card that allows you to go into any state museum for €2. Istanbul is also a good place to go out; places like Kadiköy and Istiklal Caddesi have tons of clubs and bars.

The university is demanding, but you also have time for excursions. ESN organises trips within the city as well as weekend excursions, e.g. to Ephesus. I have to admit these were a bit tiring because you always had to sleep on the bus, but for a short trip it can be worth it; otherwise you can easily plan your own. There are buses to everywhere in Turkey, or even to the Balkans. Istanbul really is the hub of the world. Therefore, I can only recommend a stay there, especially for 2 semesters!"

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