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2010 European Capital of Culture
July 4 - August 13, 2010

Being in the Turkey Summer Program was an unbelievable experience, I was able to meet people that challenged my assumptions and I was able to explore a part of the world that had previously been completely foreign to me. I met some incredible people from Northwestern and feel like I have had a taste of life in what was once the "center of the world"
— Rocio Reyes-Morales

Studying in Istanbul puts more than 2,000 years of history at your doorstep. The city, located at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, has always been a meeting point between East and West. It has hosted ancient Anatolian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations, and it is the cultural center of the modern, secular Turkish Republic. The streets and buildings of this glorious city reflect European, Turkish, Balkan, and Middle Eastern ways of life, all coming together in exotic harmony. True to its cosmopolitan roots, Istanbul today is a global city, and its fast-paced everyday life and vibrant atmosphere create a dazzling urban experience.

This program uses the city and its landmarks as its main classroom. Courses highlight the political, socioeconomic, cultural, and physical continuities and changes of Istanbul throughout its history. The curriculum encourages students to approach urban environments in a critical way and to explore the ongoing transformation of the city. Topics in Islam, secularism, multiculturalism, modernity, Orientalism, and globalization add another dimension to the program. Excursions complement the curriculum and provide an insight into Turkish culture and history.

Highlights: No language requirements, 2 Northwestern University course credits (optional 3rd independent study course)

Contact: Rita Koryan r-koryan@northwestern.edu 847.467.1152