Program Description | Host Family & Community | Host School | Travel | Orientations & Activities | Eligibility
Program Description
The Turks say their country is like a man running west on a train heading east. They are referring to the dichotomies you’ll experience in this vibrant culture. Turkey is a land of dramatic contrasts: mosques on the European side of Istanbul and western style suburbs on the Asian side; western economic systems in a traditional Islamic society; dynamic industrialization next door to Byzantine buildings and Ottoman architecture; landscapes ranging from Mediterranean coasts to jagged mountains. Best of all, the Turkish people have a well-deserved reputation for friendliness and hospitality, not to mention some of the finest cuisine in the world.
As an AFSer, you’ll live with a host family while studying Turkish and attending a local high school. Schools in Turkey are demanding, with students specializing in either mathematics and sciences or social studies, depending on their skills and background.
Language
While Turkish is the primary language, English, French, German and Italian are spoken by many people around the country.
The ability to speak Turkish is not a prerequisite for the program but we strongly suggest that you learn as much as possible prior to departure.
You will have the opportunity to participate in language lessons at the week-long Mid-Stay Orientation and local volunteers may help arrange independent language study for you during you first months in Turkey.
Host Family & Community
Students can be placed throughout Turkey, though most placements are in or near one of three main cities: Izmir, Istanbul or Ankara.
Host families in Turkey, like all AFS host families worldwide, are volunteers and are not paid. They open their homes to students in order to share their community and culture as well as to enrich their own family lives.
Turkish People
Many aspects of Turkish culture are a blend of traditional and modern ways, of conservative courtly customs and cheerful expressions of friendship. Manners are generally formal, especially in the presence of older people. This doesn’t mean they hesitate to express their feelings; they generally use their hands a lot, adding meaning and emphasis to their conversations. They also love to laugh. Family members and friends often shake hands and kiss on both cheeks when meeting. The family is an important institution in Turkish society and is usually close-knit.
Turkish customs generally have a lot to do with social courtesies that are highly valued and deeply bound with the Islamic conventions observed by many. Hospitality, for example, is an integral part of Turkish culture. Friends, relatives, and neighbors often visit each other, sometimes without notice. Tradition dictates that visitors are always offered tea or coffee and invited to share a meal. It is impolite to decline the offer and your hosts will do everything possible to make you feel comfortable.
Teens
Soccer is the most popular sport in Turkey, both to watch and to play. People in Turkey also enjoy volleyball, basketball, bicycling, swimming and picnics. Teens like to get together at friends’ homes or go to the movies. Many customs are respected among young people such as deference towards older people and those with higher status and avoiding public displays of affection.
Meals
Turkish cuisine is some of the finest in the world: “Bring your belly to Turkey—it will thank you,” as they say. Dishes combine Mediterranean and Middle Eastern styles and are quite rich and varied.
Eggplant is the number one vegetable and is paired with many things including the shish kebab. Food is cooked mostly with olive oil, and can be very spicy in the eastern part of Turkey. Lamb and rice are common dishes and seafood is abundant on the coast.
For their typical breakfast, families will eat bread with white cheese, butter, eggs, marmalade or honey, and olives, all accompanied by Turkish tea or yogurt.
Lunch is an important meal at midday, but the main meal of the day is eaten in the evening when the family generally expects to sit down together. These two meals consist of at least two main courses such as vegetable or meat dishes and rice, cracked wheat or macaroni, soup, salad and cold olive oil dishes, dessert or fruit and lots of bread.
Table manners require that young people wait until the older people start eating, and no one leaves the table until the eldest gets up.
Vegetarians are extremely difficult to place because the cuisine is fairly meat-heavy and vegetarians have a difficult time maintaining a balanced diet.
Host School
You’ll probably be placed in 10th or 11th grade at a public Anatolian high school, which is based on the German “Gymnasium” system and prepares students for good universities. Sometimes AFSers are placed in private high schools.
A typical school day in Turkey is 7-8 hours of classes. Students stay in one classroom, while the teachers move from class to class.
Boys need to have their hair cut very short for school and visible piercings and colored hair for both boys and girls are not allowed.
Check out the Host School FAQ (.pdf).
Travel
You will receive a Travel Notification email about 6 weeks prior to international departure with your international flight itinerary and detailed instructions for when to arrive at the Gateway Orientation site in New York. At that point, you may arrange your domestic travel. In New York, you will join other AFS-USA participants for an overnight Gateway Orientation before you travel together to Istanbul.
International airfare is included as part of the tuition, but it is your responsibility to get from your home town to the Gateway Orientation site.
Your Arrival
You and your fellow AFSers will travel together from one of the gateway cities in the United States. You all will arrive in Istanbul, and collect your baggage before passing through customs. You will be met by AFS staff and volunteers who will take you to an Arrival Orientation. After the orientation, you will travel to your host community by plane or bus with AFS volunteers.
Your Return
You will return to Istanbul for an End-of-Stay Orientation with all the AFSers in Turkey. You will then fly with the U.S. participants back to New York.
Orientations & Activities
In addition to the orientations that you will participate in domestically (the locally held Pre-Departure Orientation, the Culture Trek online orientation, and the national Gateway Orientation), you and your fellow AFSers will have several orientations while abroad.
These required orientations are intended to help you maximize your AFS experience, prevent culture shock and to gain knowledge, skills and a global understanding.
Arrival Orientation
Your first orientation will take place immediately after your arrival in Turkey and will last two days. Here you will have a brief introduction to Turkey’s rich culture, learn about AFS Turkey, receive some safety and culture tips and, of course, meet other AFS students with whom you will share your time abroad.
Mid-Stay Orientations
There will be a second week-long orientation about 6-7 weeks after you arrive in Turkey. It will take place in Istanbul or another large city. You will get to participate in intensive language lessons, and have discussions about initial culture shock issues and talk about your adaptation to your host family, your school, and the environment.
Year Program participants have a Mid-Stay Orientation about halfway through the academic year. You will take 3-4 days to evaluate your experience so far and find ways to make the most out of the second half of your experience.
End-of-Stay Orientation
Two days before your departure you will return to Istanbul for an End-of-Stay Orientation. You’ll reflect on your experience and to share with other AFSers. You will also prepare for the cultural readjustment that is a part of returning home.
Optional Activities
In addition to the orientations, many local chapters organize activities for students and host families throughout the year. These will vary from chapter to chapter but may include get-togethers or excursions to other cities or regions in Turkey. Unlike the orientations, these activities are optional and are not included in tuition.
Eligibility
To participate in this program, you must:
- Be within the age range upon departure (located in the ‘read more’ drop-down)
- Have a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Be mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy in accordance with AFS Medical Evaluation Policies
- Have a U.S. passport at the time of application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the program end date
- Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
Participation Notes
Vegetarians are extremely difficult to place because the cuisine is fairly meat-heavy and vegetarians have a difficult time maintaining a balanced diet.
High School graduates who meet the eligibility requirements will be considered for this program.
While there is no language requirement for this program, we strongly suggest that you learn as much Turkish as possible prior to departure.
