The opportunity to meet Dean Mazza in a non academic environment was well as getting to take a class from him, getting to take a class on Criminal Procedure from Professor Yenisey, going Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary on the excursion. I fell in love with Istanbul!
It is way too hard to pinpoint a favorite part of the program; everything was so incredible! This was a great chance to get to know a couple of my professors from KU in a completely unique environment, meet other excellent professors, interact with other students that were in my program or other programs, and broaden my world views. The place itself (Istanbul) was beautiful and I cannot wait to go back! When people think of Turkey, vacation generally does not come to mind, but Istanbul's culture, people, and landscape is one of a kind!
Everything in Turkey is CHEAP! I budgeted to spend at least $1000 more. Istanbul is VERY modern and like any other big city.
I found my interactions with the professors was the most rewarding. During the normal school semesters in the U.S., I never really reached out and got to know my professors. This trip encouraged me to get to know and interact with them on a daily basis. Coming back for this fall semester, I am excited to see them again and tell them about the rest of my summer.
At the end of the trip, I returned to a restaurant I had visited on the first day of the program. The waiter remembered me and complimented my Turkish and told me I no longer needed the English version of the menu.
