Istanbul sits at the geographic, cultural, and political fulcrum between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and students at SU Istanbul will gain an incomparable vantage point for examining some of the most important issues of our time - from secularism and Islam, to democratization, security, minority and gender rights, and urban development.
Istanbul is a city famous for its magnificent historic monuments and palaces, its sophisticated old-wolrd culture, and increasingly, as one of the most cutting-edge destinations for urban exploreers, foodies, artists, musicians, designers, and entrpreneurs. The city has been a veritable melting pot of cultures, traditions, and lifestyles stretching back over 2000 years. So there is always something new (or something ancient and grand) to explore.
>> View all courses for SU Istanbul
The SU Istanbul Center is located at Bahçeşehir University, in the heart of Istanbul on the Bosphorous Strait, an ideal location for enjoying the best the city has to offer. Built directly on the waterfront of the European shore in the district of Beşiktas, the University backs up onto streets bustling with trendy and traditional shops, restaurants, coffee houses, bars, and fresh food markets. The Beşiktas ferry station is a two-minute walk from campus. With this and other public transit readily accessible (buses, metro, trams, ferries, taxis), your campus “home base” serves as a jumping-off point to the many other city neighborhoods—the historic district, Istanbul’s “SoHo” district, or to neighborhoods across the Bosporus, a short (but exhilarating) 10-minute ferry ride away.
The academic program in Istanbul combines the SU Abroad Signature Seminar and internships with the opportunity to take coursework in English alongside Turkish students and international peers. In addition to the two required courses, most SU Istanbul students will enroll in three or four Bahçeşehir University courses.
The SU Istanbul director, Dr. Erika Wilkens-Sozen, and Burak Tamac, the program coodinator, will be there to advise and guide you from the moment you arrive. By the time you finish the pre-semester Signature Seminar, you will be prepared to make the most of the many resources your new host city has to offer. The SU interdisciplinary seminar, “Contemporary Issues in Turkey” will further serve to focus and inform the rest of your coursework.
Why not go abroad and earn credit in summer? The SU Abroad summer program The Road to Democracy in the Islamic World is taught in Istanbul.
In-depth information about every aspect of the SU Istanbul program is available in our new viewbook! Click the photo above for the pdf version, or request a copy of your own by filling out this form to have one mailed to you!
Gabriella Pineda is an international relations major from New Orleans. She spent a semester in Istanbul and loved the mix of people she met there. In her words, "six months was not long enough!" Visit our Istanbul Global Ambassadors page to meet alumni ready to share their advice and experiences with you.
The fall 2013 Istanbul program will run from early September through mid-January. Key dates will be announced here once the Bahcesehir University academic calendar is released.
Istanbul Fall 2013 Program Dates
Istanbul Spring 2013 Program Dates
Signature Seminar/Orientation:
Jan 25-Feb 10, 2013
Semester Classes Start:
February 11, 2013
Last Day of Classes:
May 21, 2013
Program Ends:
June 9, 2013