Greetings from Istanbul
(I arrived in Turkey on Wednesday to re-connect with teachers and administrators from our exchange partner school and eventually escort our six CA students back home this weekend.)
A trip to a place like Istanbul can truly be a life-changing experience, as our six exchange students have discovered these past two weeks. The beauty, history, and magnitude of Istanbul never fail to astound. I have been fortunate enough to have traveled twice to the city as one of the contingent of faculty and students involved in our Turkish exchange program, now in its fourth full year. Our partnership with Üsküdar American Academy (UAA) has been a professional highlight for me these past years, and has provided a unique learning experience for the many students who have been involved since the program’s inception in 2014. While in the country our students live with host families in various parts of the city, and all of them attend school in Uskudar, a historic district of Istanbul on the Asian side of the Bosphorus Strait. With numerous buildings and a well-manicured campus, UAA is an oasis in the midst of a teeming metropolis of around 15 million. The school's students follow a busy schedule much like their CA counterparts, and our six students have learned how to navigate their way at the English-based school, mostly following their hosts' schedules.
The students have also enjoyed some of the classic touristy experiences in the city--boating on the Bosphorus, visiting the Sultan Ahmet (Blue) Mosque and the Hagia Sofia, shopping at the Spice Bazaar, and hiking up to the top of Galata Tower, among many other sites. These destinations have been enhanced by the presence and support of our wonderful Turkish hosts who are able to narrate and translate along the way.
The main purpose of any exchange program is to expose our students to another culture and to broaden their sense of the world around them. As I caught up with our students Thursday, there were many indications that our students had indeed been well immersed in a new culture; they were trying hard to learn Turkish, a difficult language, and to really understand and appreciate the educational system there (many similarities but also some key differences). They had also bonded and/or re-connected with the students they had met a few months earlier when a group of Turkish students came to Colorado.
One student noted that her "cultural perspective is definitely changed. I know I will be ready to try more things now and be a more well-rounded person." That is the very definition of the transformational power of experiential education. All of the students also noted that they missed home but didn’t want to leave! That tells me this exchange has been highly successful on a personal level too.
Now all these students will be able to push back against the cultural stereotypes many have about this part of the world; no, the women in Turkey don’t wear full head coverings; no, the people aren't in mosques all day; yes, they have Starbucks; and there is little evidence of animosity towards Americans. Indeed, I think all of us involved in this program now feel a strong affinity for Turkish culture and people. We know that this important country, literally bridging Asia and Europe, will continue to play a pivotal role in world events. More importantly, we now know the people as generous, cosmopolitan, intelligent, motivated, and incredibly hospitable and welcoming.
The next set of Turkish exchange students will come to Colorado Academy in February. Meanwhile, our Scottish exchange and a new program in Colombia will be future highlights of this school year. More on those great experiences in my next CA digital newsletter piece.
Gule gule! (Turkish goodbye)
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