Here is some basic information about your adventure. You’ll receive a lot more details after you apply.
Transportation:
It is highly recommended that you travel here by airplane. You will be given specific instruction on what day to arrive and depart and you are responsible for buying your own airline tickets. We’ll meet you at the airport and take you to the place you’ll be staying.
Then you will experience the amazing transportation adventure of getting around the city. The public transportation consists of buses, mini-buses, dolmuses, boats(yes, boats), taxis, subways, trolleys, trains, trams, and shoe leather(cheapest).
Visa:
Visa costs have been included and you will receive information and more details. Don’t worry, visas should not be a problem.
Housing:
Ideally, we match 2 to 4 ACTS students with Turks or Turkish families and you live with them. It’s an in-depth cultural experience.
Food:
A significant part of any culture is the food, and Turkish food is fantastic! Most people who are willing to try something new are amazed at how great the food is. You’ll see sidewalk restaurants everywhere, little neighborhood groceries with fresh fruits and vegetables, and bakeries with freshly baked breads. Street vendors have great stuff, like corn-on-the-cob, simits, ice cream, and freshly squeezed juice. But, if you get desperate for American food and just have to indulge, you’ll find plenty of pizza and burger places just like home. There’s even a Chili’s and a Krispy Kreme. Yes, Starbuck’s is everywhere, but you’ll want to visit the Turkish tea and coffee shops as well. Afiyet olsun!
Healthcare:
We have good news! There are no immunizations required for travel to Turkey.
If you need medical attention while you are here, western standard health care is available in Turkey at Acibadem Hospital Group. They are JCI accredited and affiliated with Harvard Medical.
Clothing:
Although Turkey seems completely westernized on the surface, it is actually much more conservative than the US. Turks tend to dress up much more that Americans. Women should dress modestly and avoid sleeveless tops, shorts, and short skirts. Men should be prepared to wear pants/jeans most of the time. Knee length shorts are OK on occasion for both men and women. Swim suit??? Yes, bring a suit! Western style shopping is available if you need anything.
Comfortable footwear is a must. This means good, sturdy walking shoes.
Money:
While you are here you will exchange dollars for Turkish Lira. You will want to bring some extra spending money for things like entertainment and gifts to take back home. Credit and debit cards are well accepted, however, you will need to be sure that your bank has enabled foreign transactions from Turkey. Checks are NOT accepted and traveler’s checks are a major hassle.
Weather:
It can get hot in June, but expect a few nights to be cool enough for a jacket.
Language:
What? You aren’t fluent in Arabic? That’s good because they speak Turkish here. Your Turkish is probably not very good either, but don’t worry. Kolay gelsin!
Most of the students that you’ll meet can speak fairly good English and will want to practice with you. You can definitely get around without knowing much of the language by using various levels of charades. It’s fun, challenging, and sometimes humiliating. All part of the in-depth cultural experience. Because we like you, we’ll teach you some basics during the first few days and then you’ll pick up quite a bit of language by the time you leave.
People:
There are about 15 million people living in the city of Istanbul. It is very urban, modern, and probably more crowded than you are accustomed to. Turkish people are warm and friendly and they enjoy talking about religion. The Turks are 99% Muslim, but many of them have a secular worldview.
Nearly all Turks identify themselves as Muslim – in fact, they have a proverb, “To be a Turk is to be a Muslim.” However, only around 10% attend mosque on Fridays. Although heard throughout the city, the five times a day ‘call to prayer’is outwardly ignored by a large number of Turks.
Small groups of Turkish believers can be found in several of the main cities, but in the majority of the country there is no Christian witness. There are somewhere between 2,500-3,000 Protestant Christians from Muslim background in all of Turkey; a country of 72 million people.
Other:
Many have gone before you, some have come a second time, and a few have come back for multi-year terms.
You’ll get a lot more detailed information to help you get prepared before you leave the states.
