I Made It!!

After a year of hoping and planning, my semester abroad in Turkey has finally begun and I couldn't be any happier!  There were a few spilled things, a million butterflies in my stomach, and a long sleepless flight before I arrived; but, I am here in Istanbul Turkey and I'm not about to sit around and just watch the time go by.
Our first full day in the City was amazing.  After getting settled in and a short meeting to go over logistics, we were let loose in Taksim.  It's a huge tourist attraction and has a lot of nice stores.  We mainly just walked around trying to take it all in. 

I was so overwhelmed by everything so I spent a lot of my time just watching the people.  As we made our way down the street we stopped and got some Turkish Delights, watched them pull ice cream like taffy, and went into an art gallery filled with pieces centered around Revolution.  We made it to the water to take some pictures of Istanbul at sunset and then got dinner on the terrace of a building to watch as the sky darkened.  It was beautiful and the most amazing way to spend our first full day in Istanbul.

On our second day we took a tour of the campus that we would be calling home for the next 3 months.  There's only one word to describe what it was BEAUTIFUL, it was absolutely stunning. To the left you can see a picture of what we see on our walk to the South Campus.  And views like that surround you as one walks around campus.  There is just no way anybody can escape the wonder and beauty of this incredible city.  Below is a picture of the South Campus academic buildings.  Once you are on the campus everything is very close, it is just the getting to the campus that takes a while. But I mean with those kinds of views its not such a bad walk.  As we are learning more about the school I'm finding it isn't that different from American universities, especially since all the professors have gotten their PhDs from American Universities.  There are also a ton of other exchange students on campus.  It is funny to walk around now and here other American accents, but there are also Australian, Lithuanian, and German accents.  On campus everyone speaks English well, but the minute you step off I realize quickly I am a long way from home and seriously need to learn the language.
The campus is overrun with cats and dogs but mainly cats.  You can see a few in this picture but you seriously can't walk 2 feet without seeing a cat.  The most fascinating thing is that they are all well fed, friendly, and seem very happy.  The people seem to like them and the cats and dogs live in harmony.  I am not going to lie I like them a lot as well.  I have always been a big animal person and having all of these animals around who will walk up to you just for a pet or two is kind of wonderful.  The people, like the animals, are also very friendly.  I haven't had any problems or felt out of place really (besides the whole language thing).  Our program directors have also done a phenomenal job in organizing activities and helping us through the process of getting settled in.  With their support and guidance I think we are in for an amazing adventure.   Classes will begin on September 24th and I can't wait to make more friends in the University.
 

Last night our directors had a dinner cruise planned for us.  To get to the water front we had to travel down some really steep and narrow streets.  But with Porsche's, Bentley's, and Ferrari's passing us the trip wasn't that bad.  I am fairly positive now that we live in a very wealthy neighborhood.  Down by the water we walked a good ways up to the boat passing fisherman after fisherman.  Even late at night when we got off the boat and were walking back there were still a ton out fishing.
In a big group we attract a good bit of attention.  In New York I had to get use to the cat calling, but in Istanbul they really just are fascinated by foreigners.  So where the looks and stares in New York were hard to deal with, here I don't mind them.  On the boat we spent most of the time just talking and watching the scenery go by as the sun set.  Then we danced under the stars and in between Asia and Europe.  The magic of Istanbul flows right into the night time as the city illuminates with lights, music, and people.  This is just the beginning but I think I'm going to really enjoy being here.
To my family and friends I miss you terribly but know that all is well at home.  I am off on an adventure across the Atlantic but you are always near in my heart.  As I continue down this road, check this blog for updates and word on how I'm doing.

Sending you all lots of love from Turkey,
Caroline