Fall – 16 weeks (mid September to mid January)
Spring – 16 weeks (mid February to mid June)
Summer – 7 weeks (late June to early August)
Academic Year

Summer and Fall 2008 closed

Sponsored by the Eli Broad College of Business, the College of Arts & Letters, and James Madison College

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Bordering seven different nations (Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq and Syria), Turkey is a fascinating country with diverse influences. It bridges the European and Asian continents with a remarkable history and abundant natural beauty, varied geographically with fertile plans, volcanic peaks and miles of coastline. The Turks are predominantly Muslim and derive many of their customs from Islamic practices. For more information on Turkey, see http://www.turkey.org/start.html.

The Republic, founded in 1923 at the end of the Ottoman Empire, has developed into a modern, democratic state that is currently being considered for membership to the European Union. Turkey is a country of diverse cultures, beliefs, ideas, nature and history and is often considered a nation at the crossroads, not only in a geographic sense but also politically and economically. This eighty-year-old democratic republic has a vibrant business sector and is an active participant in international trade and investment. The Turkish culture represents an interesting mix of the east and west with a strong heritage of modernization over the past several decades. Students will be exposed to a highly rigorous and competitive higher education system that has risen to meet the challenges of this modern democracy.

Where does it take place?

Boğaziçi University is located in Istanbul, Turkey, a captivating destination with remarkable history and rich beauty.

Istanbul is divided by the Bosphorus, the strait that connects the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. On one side is Anatolia, the western tip of Asia; on the other side lie the eastern shores of Europe. Istanbul’s port area is visited by all manner of ships, and many Istanbul residents commute to work by boat. The former capital of the three successive Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, Istanbul honors and preserves the legacy of its past while looking forward to its modern future. Indeed, it is Istanbul’s variety that fascinates its visitors. Much of the history is reflected in the ancient castles and museums, Islamic palaces and mosques, and centuries-old bazaars and markets.

Formerly Robert College, the first American College to be established outside the boundaries of the United States, Boğaziçi University was officially established in 1971. The university accommodates approximately 10,000 students. About 7,500 of these are undergraduate students and the rest are graduate students. English is the medium of instruction. Most of the students admitted to undergraduate programs at Boğaziçi University come from the top one half of one percent of their secondary schools.

The distinctive place that Boğaziçi occupies in the world of higher education is matched by its unique and historic location on the shores of the Bosphorus. The academic facilities, faculty housing and student dormitories are all situated on a hill with unmatched natural beauty. The South Campus encompasses the oldest buildings of the university - Assembly Hall (used for lectures, concerts, public meetings and student/faculty assemblies), the Gymnasium, the Administration Building, the Engineering Building, and the English Preparatory Building (where the School of Foreign Language is housed). This campus also boasts residence halls, a computer center, infirmary, and museum.

What can I study?

The academic strength of the university lies in Engineering, Education, Social Sciences, Sciences, and Arts.

Boğaziçi University has four faculties (similar to “colleges” at MSU), six institutes (offering graduate programs), the School of Foreign Languages, and the School of Applied Disciplines. The University's four faculties are:

• Arts and Sciences
• Engineering
• Economics and Administrative Sciences
• Education

Many faculty members teach in more than one faculty and the faculty structure promotes interdisciplinary teaching whenever appropriate.

Students may enroll in any of Bogazici’s courses, subject to the approval of their MSU department. (See Boğaziçi University’s Web site at http://www.boun.edu.tr/academics/units.html for a listing of semester course offerings and descriptions or http://www.summer.boun.edu.tr for summer course offerings.)

MSU students participating in this program will be exposed to a highly rigorous and competitive higher education system that exists in Turkey. They will be taught by faculty with excellent credentials.

This university has an instructional system and curriculum very similar to Michigan State University. The semesters run from early-October to late-January and from late-February to mid-June.

There is no language requirement as the language of instruction is English.

Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of twelve (12), maximum of sixteen (16), semester credits.

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/people/students.html.
 
Contact the study abroad program coordinator listed below to learn more about available courses. To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit http://transfer.msu.edu/Institution.asp and http://www.reg.msu.edu/ROINFO/CSSAP/CSSAPmain.asp. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

What are the requirements?

This program is open to only MSU students.

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.75 at the time of application and achieve junior status by the time of participation. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Additionally, students must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

Applicants will be screened for admission by Boğaziçi University.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Superdorm, the student dormitory at Boğaziçi University, has 130 student apartments and is approximately an eight-minute walk from the North campus and a 15-minute walk from South campus. Each apartment has single bedrooms for two to five students. In addition to the bedrooms, there is a living room, kitchenette, bathroom, and storage room. Superdorm apartments provide basic furnishings including a small mini-type refrigerator and wiring for telephones. Access to the university’s computer network and the Internet is possible from individual rooms through modems. Network access is provided in the computer lab located in the basement.

Students may have their meals at the university’s dining halls or at Superdorm Canteen. (A typical meal may cost about $2.00).

Information for visiting international students can be found at: http://www.intl.boun.edu.tr/

Who can tell me more about this program?

Jayne Braverman
Eli Broad College of Business
332 Eppley Center
Phone: (517) 355-7605
E-mail: braverman@bus.msu.edu

Norm Graham
James Madison College
367 S. Case Hall
Phone: (517) 353-3372
E-mail: grahamn@msu.edu

Beth Judge
College of Arts & Letters
200 Linton Hall
Phone: (517) 355-6519
E-mail: judgebe@msu.edu

Lynn Aguado
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-1168
E-mail: aguado@msu.edu

You can also visit http://www.boun.edu.tr for further information on Boğaziçi University or the CIBER Web site at http://ciber.msu.edu/studyabroad.

Do I need a passport or visa?

A valid passport is required for entry into Turkey. Students will need to obtain a multi-entry student visa from the Consular Section of the Turkish Embassy. Boğaziçi University staff will assist students in obtaining a residence permit after arrival.

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

Funds paid directly by the student include:

• transportation to Turkey (approx. $1,200)
• accommodations ($3,175 per semester)
• meals (approx. $1,500)
• books and supplies (approx. $475)
• on-site transportation ($270)
• MSU tuition and fees*
• passport application fee ($100)
• visa application fees
• pre-departure doctor visit
• pre-departure immunizations
• personal spending money (approx. $2,000)

An estimated total for these costs is $8,814 per semester (Spring Semester 2008), excluding tuition and fees. From the perspective of cost, including housing, local travel, meals and other incidentals, Istanbul is an affordable location.

A program fee of $100 is required and includes pre-departure orientation and requisite accident and sickness insurance. Students participating for an academic year will be charged an additional amount for extended insurance coverage.

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/ for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

For further information about financial aid visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for summer, fall or academic year programs and October 15th for spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester participation and by March 1st for summer, fall or academic year participation. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.