Turkiye Today
Discover a nation where the ancient world meets the future and where every day offers a new way to see, taste, and experience life.
Step into the crossroads of civilizations and explore Turkiye, a country that has inspired travelers, artists, and thinkers for centuries. From the bustling streets of Ankara, the country’s vibrant capital, you’ll experience the rhythm of daily life in a society that bridges Europe and Asia, tradition and innovation, the past and the future.
During your time in Turkiye, you’ll do more than visit landmarks - you’ll live the culture. Share meals and stories with your Turkish host family, join local university peers for cultural events and city outings, and gain new perspectives on history, politics, and identity through immersive coursework taught by top Ankara University faculty. Along the way, you’ll explore the forces shaping Turkiye today, from its dynamic democracy and artistic movements to its role in global affairs, while learning the basics (or deepening your knowledge) of the Turkish language.
Turkiye Today is an eight-week, English-language academic and cultural immersion program that brings together classroom learning, hands-on experience, and personal discovery.
Program Features
Offered in
Ankara, Turkiye.
Available during the
Summer term.
15 hours per week of courses on Contemporary Turkish Society and Turkish Culture Today taught in English by faculty at Ankara University; 5 hours per week of in-class Turkish language study in small groups taught by highly experienced Ankara University TOMER (Türkçe Ögretim Merkezi, or Turkish and Foreign Languages Application and Research Center) faculty.
Turkish language
conversation partners selected by American Councils and TOMER staff for two hours per week.
Housing with
carefully-selected, experienced host families who provide two meals per day.
One day per week set aside for structured
cultural programming led by the Resident Director in collaboration with faculty. Activities include guided visits to historical sites, museums, and cultural landmarks; workshops in Turkish cuisine, music, or traditional arts; and opportunities to engage with local communities. While destinations vary from year to year,
weekly excursions typically include:
- Ankara Castle;
- Anitkabir (Mausoleum of Atatürk);
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations;
- Ethnography Museum of Ankara;
- The historic neighborhoods of Ulus and Hamamönü.
The Resident Director also leads a
five-day trip, during which participants explore some of Turkiye’s most intriguing places and attractions, including such locations as Cappadocia and Istanbul.
Participants earn 8-10 U.S. academic credits per summer through Bryn Mawr College.
Comprehensive health, accident, and evacuation insurance for all participants abroad.
Financial Aid
Financial aid from American Councils is available for Turkiye Today. Please visit our
Financial Aid page to learn more about available scholarships.
Eligibility Requirements
Minimum 2.7 GPA
At least 18 years old by application deadline
Application Deadline
Summer program:
February 15
Interested in learning more?
Complete program information, including an online application, is available on the
Turkiye Today website.
Check out our
Facebook and
Instagram for photos and stories from program participants!
Questions?
Contact American Councils at
outbound@americancouncils.org.
