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Posted

This might be a random question, but I feel like there MUST be some Turkey Fulbrighters or those who know Turkey in general- I'm going for two weeks -- where are good places to go to other than the Hagia Sophia (ie the purpose of my trip haha)? Thanks y'all :) 

Posted

After my first summer in Fes, I knew it had become a part of my soul.  It's weird, really, but that's how it is.  I simply love it.

 

Fez is amaaaaaazing! 

Posted

I have no doubt, CrystalDee, that your commitment to and passion for this place will bring you back again and again. Fulbright be damned, you're going to do what you set out to. I believe that.

Thank you! My son keeps trying to convince me to reapply. I just don't think I have the strength. But, I did ask my host university to include my questions on the post election survey so maybe I will get some of the data I need. :)

Posted

Thank you! My son keeps trying to convince me to reapply. I just don't think I have the strength. But, I did ask my host university to include my questions on the post election survey so maybe I will get some of the data I need. :)

You don't have to reapply this weekend...you have until Oct! There's time to rest and recover. Why not give it another shot?

Posted

This might be a random question, but I feel like there MUST be some Turkey Fulbrighters or those who know Turkey in general- I'm going for two weeks -- where are good places to go to other than the Hagia Sophia (ie the purpose of my trip haha)? Thanks y'all :)

I spent part of my junior semester study abroad program in Turkey (in 2007).  I was studying ancient Greek and Roman art so my suggestions are mostly based on that.  I went to some pretty remote sites; but one of our "jumping off points" was Kusadasi.  It is a resort town on the aegean coast where a lot of cruise ships hit.  This can be a good and a bad thing.  It has a pretty lively night life and there are lots of shops and things to look at within the city, but it can also be very crowded.  From Kusadasi we visited Didyma, Priene, Pergamon, and Troy.  They are all kind of out of the way, but great places to visit if you want to see ancient Hellenistic temple ruins while in Turkey.  

 

Bursa - south of Istanbul - was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and also has thermal spas that have been in use since the Roman Empire.  There are also several mosques there worth seeing.  I remember visiting the "Green" Mosque.  I remember shopping being particularly good there with a lot of local craftsmen and a big silk trade.

 

In Istanbul, we did go to Hagia Sophia.  You could spend a lot of time in there looking at the architecture/frescoes/ mosaics/ learning about how it went from a christian church to a mosque to a museum... it is a very interesting place to visit.  I would also visit the Blue Mosque in Istanbul - impressive grounds and interior and very interesting to see a functioning mosque with people praying in it(make sure your knees, arms, and head are covered - if not, they loan you stylish blue pieces of cloth to wrap around yourself).  I was in Turkey during Ramadan, so unfortunately, all of the bazars and most of the shops were closed - so I can't tell you anything about what the grand bazar is like, but it is one place I wish I had been able to visit.  Be ready for people to be in your face and try to push merchandise/ restaurants on you and when making purchases at stalls or in the bazar be ready to haggle on prices. 

 

Hope this is helpful!  My recollection of the places we visited is kind of spotty as it was almost 6 years ago (yikes, I feel old!)

Posted

Brazil Statements of Interest are due by Monday for the Western Hemisphere alternates. I have two different versions and need to double check with my adviser which one to use. The problem? She's on a plane back to Germany... and she probably won't check her email because it's the weekend. Freaking out way too much for 2:27 a.m!

Posted

Brazil Statements of Interest are due by Monday for the Western Hemisphere alternates. I have two different versions and need to double check with my adviser which one to use. The problem? She's on a plane back to Germany... and she probably won't check her email because it's the weekend. Freaking out way too much for 2:27 a.m!

Don't panic! I am sure it will be great!

Posted

You don't have to reapply this weekend...you have until Oct! There's time to rest and recover. Why not give it another shot?

Excellent point.  CrystalDee, there's no need to make a decision now.  You (and all those who don't get it this year) need time to heal before deciding what comes next.  I always think that, for academics, the summer is a time for catharsis.  Take that time and *then* decide.  For what it's worth.

 

Remember: it took me 10 years to finally get into a PhD program.  There were times when I literally thought I couldn't take another rejection letter.  I simply thought I would disappear.  But here I am.  And here you are too.  Take the time to heal, and then get back up on that horse, whatever horse is right for you right now.

Posted (edited)

Quick question to accepted Fulbrighters: in your snail mail letter from the Fulbright Scholarship Board, did you receive any other materials besides the letter congratulating you? I ask because mine was completely ripped open when I received it, so I want to be sure I got everything I was supposed to...

Edited by mjm2230
Posted

I spent part of my junior semester study abroad program in Turkey (in 2007).  I was studying ancient Greek and Roman art so my suggestions are mostly based on that.  I went to some pretty remote sites; but one of our "jumping off points" was Kusadasi.  It is a resort town on the aegean coast where a lot of cruise ships hit.  This can be a good and a bad thing.  It has a pretty lively night life and there are lots of shops and things to look at within the city, but it can also be very crowded.  From Kusadasi we visited Didyma, Priene, Pergamon, and Troy.  They are all kind of out of the way, but great places to visit if you want to see ancient Hellenistic temple ruins while in Turkey.  

 

Bursa - south of Istanbul - was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and also has thermal spas that have been in use since the Roman Empire.  There are also several mosques there worth seeing.  I remember visiting the "Green" Mosque.  I remember shopping being particularly good there with a lot of local craftsmen and a big silk trade.

 

In Istanbul, we did go to Hagia Sophia.  You could spend a lot of time in there looking at the architecture/frescoes/ mosaics/ learning about how it went from a christian church to a mosque to a museum... it is a very interesting place to visit.  I would also visit the Blue Mosque in Istanbul - impressive grounds and interior and very interesting to see a functioning mosque with people praying in it(make sure your knees, arms, and head are covered - if not, they loan you stylish blue pieces of cloth to wrap around yourself).  I was in Turkey during Ramadan, so unfortunately, all of the bazars and most of the shops were closed - so I can't tell you anything about what the grand bazar is like, but it is one place I wish I had been able to visit.  Be ready for people to be in your face and try to push merchandise/ restaurants on you and when making purchases at stalls or in the bazar be ready to haggle on prices. 

 

Hope this is helpful!  My recollection of the places we visited is kind of spotty as it was almost 6 years ago (yikes, I feel old!)

Oooh thank you so much for the detailed suggestions! 

Let me know if you can think of anymore :) 

Posted

This might be a random question, but I feel like there MUST be some Turkey Fulbrighters or those who know Turkey in general- I'm going for two weeks -- where are good places to go to other than the Hagia Sophia (ie the purpose of my trip haha)? Thanks y'all :)

When are you going? I'm also headed to Istanbul and Ankara for two weeks--leave on Wednesday.

Posted

Quick question to accepted Fulbrighters: in your snail mail letter from the Fulbright Scholarship Board, did you receive any other materials besides the letter congratulating you? I ask because mine was completely ripped open when I received it, so I want to be sure I got everything I was supposed to...

I got mine today and it was simply the 1-page congrats letter.  No worries; it looks like you got everything.

Posted

Weird thing: The Masters program at the University of Tatu that applied to last year and missed the deadline for this year; just sent me an email reminding me to send my notarized application forms in. Apparently they don't realize I missed the deadline. Lol!

Posted

I got mine today and it was simply the 1-page congrats letter.  No worries; it looks like you got everything.

Thanks! Was worried--I was surprised the letter was still in the envelope it had been torn so badly. 

Posted

Officially submitted my Statement of Interest for Brazil! Fingers crossed now :)

Posted

Officially submitted my Statement of Interest for Brazil! Fingers crossed now :)

 

Good luck! That sounds like a truly awesome opportunity. 

 
Posted

Officially submitted my Statement of Interest for Brazil! Fingers crossed now :)

Fingers are definitely crossed for you! When do you find out?

Posted

Fingers are definitely crossed for you! When do you find out?

 

They said they will have decisions by early June. Perhaps they will be ahead of time and beat Switzerland though?! ;) In all seriousness though, I'm rooting for you guys plus Latvia, etc. to hurry up and find out! They need to find a way to speed this process up a bit!

Posted

Does anyone know of any good Fulbrighter blogs? I've been reading through some of the Vietnam ones and I want to look through some more! Blogs with excellent photography are a plus. 

 
Posted

I have a blog! Unfortunately, I haven't kept it as updated as I would like. You can also find other Fulbright blogs in my blog list: emiliainaustria.blogspot.com

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