The 2018 Turkish Summer School will ran from July 16 to August 12, 2018. The entire cost of the program, including the flights to and from Turkey and the meals on the program, are covered by the Yunus Emre Institute. Students are separated into groups and live in cities across Turkey. With seven regions comprising of 81 cities, every group has their own unique experience during the program. Scattered across Turkey, each group lives in their own city. From that city, they will venture out on the weekends to experience more of the region that they are living in and the unique subcultures that can be found in each one.

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During their stay in Turkey, students are housed in either university dorms or guest houses. Every morning, Monday through Friday, students have classes for three and a half hours. The classes are taught entirely in Turkish, allowing for an immersive environment. Students will have a total of 60 hours of Turkish classes during the program.

 

During the classes:

*Students will learn about Turkish grammar and its structures, along with vocabulary;

*Students will apply what they learned through speaking, reading, listening and writing exercises.

*Students will also participate in hands-on activities that will test their vocabulary and speaking ability.

*Class will also include cultural activities, with students learning traditional group dances and how to make authentic Turkish cuisine from various regions across Turkey.

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The entire cost of the education materials is covered by Yunus Emre Institute. After class, students have lunch and then depart for their daily activity. Activities may include guided tours of historical sites, horseback rides, cooking classes on authentic and regional Turkish dishes, visits to the local market, or free time to explore the city. These daily field trips encourage students to use their language skills that they have learned in the classroom, and provide them with the opportunity to experience every aspect of Turkish culture. On the weekends, students travel to cities across Turkey, allowing them to experience the unique heritage of each city and region.

 

On the last weekend, students travel to Ankara, Turkey, the capital city, for the closing ceremonies of the program. Located in the heart of Anatolia, Ankara was declared the Turkish capital in 1923 with the founding of the Turkish Republic by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. During Turkey’s war for independence from 1920 to 1923,the city served as the base of operations for the Turkish military. Being the capital city, it is now home to the Turkish parliament, as well as the country’s Prime Minister and President. Notable sites include the Ankara castle and the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

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The closing ceremonies bring together all of the students from the Yunus Emre Institute’s Summer School who studied Turkish throughout the seven regions of the country. Prior to the ceremonies, students have the chance to connect with one another through their shared knowledge of Turkish. The closing ceremonies include musical and dance performances from artists hailing from different regions of Turkey, allowing students another glimpse into the diversity and complexity of Turkish culture. Following the closing ceremonies, students travel with the other groups to historical sites across the city. Not only do students learn about the rich history and importance of the capital city, but they have the chance to forge lasting bonds of friendship with their colleagues from around the world as they converse in Turkish and share their experiences.

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After two days in Ankara, all of the students will travel to Istanbul,Turkey. Situated on Bosphorus Straight, which connects the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, Istanbul is a city on two continents. The Western side of the city located in Europe and the Eastern side in Asia, allowing for a blend of cultures. Originally known as Constantinople, the city was established in 330 AD as the new capital of the Roman Empire by emperor Constantine the 1st. From the 4th century to the 13th century, Constantinople was the wealthiest city in Europe. In 1453, Constantinople was conquered by Mehmed II and renamed Istanbul. Established as the new capital of the Ottoman Empire, it would remain as such until the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923. Home to both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, the city of Istanbul is rich with history. Once they arrive in Istanbul, students will spend the remainder of the program visiting important and historical places such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Students also have the opportunity to explore the various neighborhoods of Istanbul on both the European and Asian sides of the city.