Ausschnitt eines Glasdachs des LC Gebäude

Bogazici University

Bogazici University

is a major research university located on the European side of the Bosporus strait in Istanbul, Turkey. It has four faculties and two schools offering undergraduate degrees, and six institutes offering graduate degrees.

It is the first American higher education institution founded outside the United States, in 1863, having strong ties to the American educational system through

Robert College

. Bogazici University consistently ranks highest in Turkey, having the most number of applicants via the YGS-LYS Turkish university entrance examinations. This allows Bogazici University to attract many of the highest scoring students as well as having the most preferred applied science, education, engineering, and social science programs in Turkey.

The language of instruction is English.  According to the

Times Higher Education World University Rankings of 2015,

Bogazici University is one of the two Turkish universities among the first 150 universities worldwide.

Review of Bogazici University by Sila Ada

I was one of the luckiest students who have the opportunity to study at

Bogazici University

, which is located on the European side of the Bosporus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey. First, I must say that you will immediately be amazed by the magnificent view when you enter the main gate of Bogazici University!

Before going through the current state and opportunities, I’d like to give you a brief historical information about Bogazici University. The university was founded in 1863 as

Robert College

by Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, an educator, inventor, technician, architect and builder, and Mr. Christopher Rheinlander Robert, a well-known philanthropist and a wealthy merchant from New York. The aim of the College as stated by the College Catalog compiled in 1878–1879 is "to give to its students, without distinction of race or religion, a thorough educational equal in all respects to that obtained at a first-class American college and based upon the same general principles". It was the first American higher education institution established outside the United States. Despite being under entirely Turkish administration today, the University still maintains strong ties to the American educational system and a substantial number of foreign (mostly American) faculty and students.

Maintaining a low acceptance rate (classified as "most selective"), Bogazici University attracts many of the highest scoring students in Turkey who are selected via the Turkish university entrance examination, so-called YGS-LYS, as well as having the most preferred applied science, education, engineering, and social science programs in Turkey due to its valuable education and social life. Furthermore, according to the

Times Higher Education World University Rankings of 2015

, Bogazici University is one of the two Turkish universities among the first 150 universities worldwide.

Bogazici University values diversity among its students and faculty. Moreover, with a research-oriented faculty, departments at Bogazici University provide a flourishing research environment to both students and scholars holding regular seminar series, hosting workshops and conferences on a wide range of topics. Some of the notable faculty at Bogazici University are John Freely (Professor of Physics), Şevket Pamuk (Professor of Economic History), Cahit Arf (Mathematician), and Heath W. Lowry (Professor of History). Former Bogazici student,

Tülin Erdem

, has become a worldwide known marketing professor at

New York University,

thought leader, and was the former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Marketing Research.

There are overall six campuses operating in Istanbul. South, North, Hisar and Ucaksavar campuses are so close to each other.

The Department of Economics

and

Department of Management

are located at the South Campus, which is located on a hill overlooking the Bosporus, having the best view of Istanbul. Not only the view, but the campus is also really pretty with very big, old, beautiful buildings and lots of green! The South Campus is also relatively close to the city center, which is about 20 minutes to Taksim square. I say “relatively” because Istanbul is a huge city hosting a population of around 14 million residents.

Last but not least, Bogazici University students know that student life should not be purely based on studying! Especially when you stay in one of the

dorms

near campus, you can make the most of student life with the other hundreds of students who really like socializing! You can attend one of the

student clubs

(among 40 student clubs), lie on the grass enjoying shiny Turkey weather, drink “çay” (Turkish tea) with a lovely Bosporus view, sing with worldwide known “Bogazici Jazz Choir”, swim in one of the

pools

(indoor or outdoor) whenever you want and go for a walk by the Bosporus in 5 minutes!

I spent my greatest years at Bogazici University! That’s why I highly recommend you to spend one or more exchange semesters there enjoying your time! Believe me, you won’t regret!