NSLI-Y 2024 Turkey – Week 1
Our first week in Turkey is officially over!
At our Pre-Departure Orientation in Chicago, our cohort had plenty of time to get to know each other and start bonding. After a long day of travel, we finally made it to Istanbul, just in time to watch the sunset over the skyline. We enjoyed a lovely group dinner, followed by a refreshing visit to the hotel pool. The next day, we toured the old European city and Sultanahmet Square, marveling at the beautiful Aya Sofya, Basilica Cistern, Spice Bazaar, and the Blue Mosque. We even decided to take an impromptu ferry ride to the Asian side of Istanbul!
Upon arriving in Bursa, we were welcomed by our host families at a local restaurant and enjoyed a lovely köfte dinner together before making our way to our new homes for the summer. After getting settled in, students prepared for their first day of school. Some even managed to squeeze in a late-night round of basketball with their host siblings.
Our first day of school consisted of a placement test to assess Turkish levels before we were evenly divided into two classes. After starting with introductions and greetings, our teachers didn’t hesitate to jump right into the intensive curriculum, completely immersing us in the Turkish language. We even enjoyed some Turkish music during a dance party on our second day of school. Within the first few days, we quickly familiarized ourselves with a local restaurant where we have lunch with the cohort, and with public transport systems to get us around the city. These were the perfect opportunities to put our new Turkish skills to the test!
On Thursday, we spent the afternoon at the park with our Peer Language Partners, practicing our Turkish through icebreakers and vocabulary activities. Despite the torrential rainfall, we managed to complete our activities at a local cafe in the park.
To wrap up our first week together, the cohort spent Friday afternoon on a walking tour around Bursa, learning about the first Ottoman capital. We visited local highlights like the City Museum, the Bazaar, and the Grand Mosque. We then spent our first weekend in Bursa with our host families, exploring the city before another exciting week ahead. We can’t wait to see what comes next!
Written by Tanishka.
The cohort enjoys their first dinner in Istanbul.
The cohort in front of the Obelisk on the tour of Istanbul’s old city.
The cohort in front of the Aya Sofya Mosque.
The cohort learning about the history of the Blue Mosque and its tilework from a local guide.
Nalan Hanım surprises students with a 4th of July cake after Turkish classes.
The cohort after their 2nd day of classes at the Tömer Center.
Kate, Yehia, Tanishka, Niko, Yusuf, Mehmet, and Akhilesh at the Bursa City Museum.
Robbie and Virginia at the Green Mosque in Bursa.
Akhilesh, Tanishka, Yusuf, Yehia, Bill, and Zak go to the mall and a local park with their host siblings.