2022 SDSU Turkey Trip

 We had a wonderful day full of traveling, shopping, and exploring. We started our day by going back to Altinbas University to listen to a professor of business and marketing speak about the current economy of Turkey. He talked about some of the similarities and differences between the United States and Turkey in terms of advertisements. He concluded his lesson with a discussion on whether sustainability can ever be achieved. Following this lecture, we made our way across Istanbul on a bus. After taking the bus we took a ferry to get to some islands called the Princess’ Islands.   This was a long ride on the ferry, but we had a good time talking and taking in the view. We stopped at one island before the biggest island to grab lunch. This was a great lunch where we got to try many different foods from spaghetti to hamburgers. Following lunch we split into groups and went to some shops around the island, and following this we headed back to the ferry.       ...

  Our third day started out with the metro (one of Istanbul’s major public transportation) to Bogazici University where we met with an Agriculture Economist Professor Gokhan Ozertan. We were able to learn a lot about Turkeys Agriculture economy and the different crops they grow. We saw many graphs that put their agricultural production into perspective. After our lecture we were led on a tour of the gorgeous Bogazici University by Dr. Evren Wiltse. We explored the city and got ice cream in Turkey! Then we took a bus up to where we were the first day and jumped on a ferry to get to Hasköy, Istanbul. We ate authentic food at Lala Lokantasi. Next stop in our agenda was Rahmi Koc Museum, a museum all about transportation. This museum had motors, boats, trains, cars, and more! There was even an exhibit that showcased different motors, with moving parts. Taksim Square was next! This square was all decorated for one of Turkey’s national holidays, called Youth Day (Ataturk Day). We the...

I can’t believe it is only the second day with all that we have seen! We started our morning  taking a bus to Kadir Has University. There we met with Professor Mustafa Ayden who told us  that American and Turkish relations originally started in the Ottoman Empire and how they  have changed and developed. Professor Ayden also explained the history of the campus building, which  has four different levels where the history was left and built on top of. We  were able to see the cistern (an old waterproof receptacle), an old cigarette factory, and museum  that are all part of the campus building.  After a wonderful morning, we set out on foot to go have a meal at a beautiful little restaurant  where Dr. Gonda made a stray cat his friend (or rather the stray made Gonda and his chicken its  friend). Moving along through the city we saw the Bulgarian Iron Church which was the last church built  in the Ottoman Empire. We also saw an Armenian chur...

          As we adjusted to the time change and our  new  surroundings, the first stop of the morning was  Altinbas University ,   where we enjoyed some coffee for on ly  ₺5  (about $0.30). The campus we visited is a part of  Altinbas  University, which is our host institution. A warm welcome and introduction was then presented from our  generous  hosts ,  followed by a roundtable talk with faculty  and  the  h ead of their International Relations Department . We discussed Turkish politics and foreign policy. A few topics mentioned were issues they had faced in recent years with war in surrounding countries as well as current issues with climate change, migration, and inflation  of the  Turkish  lira .  O ur  gracious  hosts spent the day giving us a tour of some of the local sites like the  Dolmabahce  Palace, which served as the  court for the lat...

 Just a quick update.  We have all arrived safe and sound in Istanbul!  Everyone is checked in to the hotel and hopefully getting some rest.  More tomorrow!

 All is going well!  We are across the pond in Munich, waiting for our flight to Istanbul.

 Good evening from Denver!  Our flight was slightly delayed but we should be leaving at a little after 9 pm.  Still on track to make the flight to Istanbul!  Next post will be across the pond.