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Turkey

Program Overview

Hos Geldiniz.
At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey is a portrait of geographic, religious, and cultural diversity. From metropolitan Istanbul, where mosques and Orthodox churches coexist and remnants of the Greek and Roman empires and ancient Hittite ruins sit side by side, to small villages and beautiful seaside resorts, Turkey will inspire your imagination.

Orientation in Izmir
Using Izmir as a classroom, you and your group will become immersed in Turkish architecture, art, and history with a visit to the ruins at Ephesus, excursions to a local bazaar, and group activities exploring this ancient city. Survival Turkish language classes will give you basic tools for communication with your host families and new friends. Discussions about the role of women,current Turkish politics, and the country’s ethnic groups provide you with a fascinating introduction to modern Turkish culture.

Homestay
Become part of your Turkish family’s daily life as you discover Istanbul, Turkey’s historic capital city. During your 10-day homestay, visit Istanbul’s world-famous bazaars, stroll along the Bosporus River, or explore the Avropa and Asya areas of the city with your host family. Sample activities: Visit the Topkapi Palace, the residence of sultans for 300 years; marvel at the Byzantine mosaics of the Karyi Müzesi; see the famous Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia; prepare traditional Turkish dishes like karisik izgara with your host family.

Village Homestay and Community Service
Experience life in a traditional Anatolian village while participating in a meaningful two-week homestay and community service project. Become part of the fabric of the village as you work alongside Turkish villagers in the fields,on irrigation projects, or helping to rebuild and renovate a local school.

Travel and Discovery
Journey to the turquoise coast of southwestern Turkey for four days in the lively market town of Fethiye. By day, enjoy the pristine beaches of Sarigirme and Kidrak or explore the busy streets of this ancient seaside town. By night, sample seafood and other eastern Mediterranean specialties in the city’s many restaurants. Sample activities: Visit the Lykia rock tombs; hop on a boat and explore coastal islands; wander through the ghost town of Karmylassos.

"In the morning, I would wake up to the chant that emanated from the mosque next door. After a rewarding day’s work of clearing out a field for the children’s playground, it felt good to take a shower and sit with the locals in the garden for awhile, talking about the day’s events while chewing on roasted sunflower seeds. At night, there would be festivals—these social events allowed me to get to know the young people in the village. Being in such a small community was great because you could walk anywhere at anytime and know almost every person you passed by."

-- Darren Miller, Daly City, California

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