I am so grateful to the TCF for this opportunity. Each day, I discover something new and amazing about Turkey! The people have been wonderfully gracious and friendly. The sights have been awe- inspiring. Words simply cannot express what a valuable experience this has been for me. Thank you so much.

I had never traveled abroad before and many family members, friends, and co-workers were shocked I was going to a country as dangerous as Turkey. After having been here 15 days, I have to say I have never met so many friendly people. From the merchants at the Grand Bazaar, to the water vendor who knew me by name on the streets of Istanbul, to the women having an Amway meeting in Amasya I felt welcomed and respected by all. I will never forget the imam who took his time to read part of the Koran with a smile for all of us, his students for that moment.

I can’t put into words all the sights and sounds of such a rich, diverse country. I didn’t know what to expect but I am fondly taking home many memories which I will share with my students and community.

Your investment in the experience will result in countless hours of fascinating projects and research about Turkey – an amazing country with a balance of rich tradition and modern growth! I have learned so much as a result of your generosity. What I had previously in terms of knowledge about policy and contemporary issues I can now enhance greatly. I’ll forever remember the feel of Turkey, the sounds, landscape, food, art, and people and will work to make it real for my students as well. I plan a return trip in the near future – both with students and with my husband as this country is a very romantic place! I will be indebted to all of you forever for making this possible.

My own transformation – my understanding of Turkey, past and present, has been challenged and changed. The broad range of experiences provided by the well thought of itinerary, and the honest exchanges between our guide and hostess, Hulya, have equipped me to present a more accurate image of Turkey’s role in human history and global affairs in the classroom as well as make me legitimate voice for changing our regional curriculum to incorporate more Turkish studies. Forever grateful.

Older Turks to children have been a spirit of joy: we respect each other. Looking at the stars one night, we all felt serene and asked the unanswerable question: why can't the world show the same respect that we have encountered? "See with your mind; hear with your heart." Turkish proverb that’s what this study tour has done: I have seen with my mind, but my heart has listened as well. Thanks for filling my memory card with unforgettable delights.

These past two weeks have been life changing for me. To travel to place and see firsthand how much Turkey has been a part of history –center stage in fact- has been eye opening. The grandness of Istanbul, the beauty of Bosphorus, the classical history of Turkey, the importance it has played as stops along the Silk Road, the history of Ottoman Turkey, the beauty of Islamic mosques and medresses, etc. I can go on and on. My knowledge of this land, history of people has so immensely increased! Thank you Turkish Cultural Foundation.

Not all the DVDs I watched nor all the books I read prepared me for the beauty of Turkey, the varying landscapes proudly waving the Turkish flag and minarets dotting the country.

My impressions of Turkey – firstly I am impressed by the history of this area and how each succeeding group has built upon the previous groups. This has created such a beautiful patterns of diversity and tolerance. I love the pride of the people in their history and the layer upon layer of cultures which is modern Turkey. Secondly, I see Turkey as an amazing example of democracy for this whole area of the world and I would like to see a stronger partnership between the USA and Turkey because we share important beliefs in human dignity and democracy.

The overwhelming emotion I’ve experienced over and over on this trip is appreciation – appreciation for Turkey. Its history is my history. Every event in Turkey’s past has had a indirect influence on the way most of the world lives today. It is a part of the “New World’s” past. So how come when I talk about Turkey to people at home, they have so many misperceptions? I will continue to educate people about Turkey, and now I am so much more equipped to do that.

This visit to Turkey has been a highlight of my life. The amazing legacy left by ancient civilizations and the impressive dynamism of contemporary Turkey exist side by side and serve to make Turkey an utterly fascinating place. Given this rich history and its importance to contemporary world affairs, it is unfortunate that it is often given short shrift in typical school curricula in the U.S. The Turkish Cultural Foundation has given us a tremendous gift in this experience. In response, all of us will trumpet the virtues of this nation back home in America and work hard to not only have it represented more in American classrooms, but to also forge closer ties between our two countries.

I am overwhelmed with the hospitality and graciousness of everyone I have met. I will take this opportunity to experience the glory and luminosity of Turkey to my heart, and share what I have learned both through my teaching and because I am a citizen of our world community. Each day on this journey I have been privileged to new priceless artifacts o truly magnificent civilization.

We have been guided expertly by Serhan, Hulya and others along the way. It’s a portable university, a portable feast, a paradigm shift of tectonic scale. I’d love to bring a group of students here, they’d never se the world the same way again.

It will be impossible to remember every moment of this trip, but the special memories will be once to last a lifetime. I am grateful to the Turkish Cultural Foundation for this amazing opportunity and wish them the best of luck in expanding this program to even more education throughout the U.S.

Learning more about Turkish art forms has been a highlight. I appreciate the way people in this country treasure old traditions and then use that background to inform current and future parts of this lives. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. This introduction to the richness of Turkey will be a springboard for asking and searching answers to new questions. It will be a joy to share about Turkey with people in South Dakota.

I had high expectations for this trip but somehow the Turkish Cultural Foundation found a way to exceed them!... Every day and every way. Clearly this program was put together with great care and the result is that at the end of each day I felt filled to the brim with new knowledge, images, insights and fantastic food – but now, at the end of the trip, I find myself hungry for more. All the efforts put forth to make this trip memorable are deeply appreciated. Mere words cannot express my gratitude for the great gift of this trip. I will work hard to repay the opportunity by teaching more about Turkey with greater understanding... And I will be back.

It is difficult to contain in one page all of the various impressions that I have of Turkey. How does one sum up over 8,000 years of history and culture? How does one do any justice to the tastes, sounds, and smells? Where can one go to meet people that are more friendly? The trip has been one of discovery and awe from Istanbul to Ankara. There was so much that I did not know about the country, and I know there is so much to learn. Turkey is a proud country and one I very much admire. I think that when people –Americans- came here, they leave with a more informed and positive impression than what they had before they left home.

Before coming, I had no idea of the vast diversity I would encounter. I hope I can do Turkey justice after returning home. I felt very at home here and that is due to the very warm & friendly Turkish people that I met. Every day was filled with new adventurous and sweet smiles.

This has been one of the most professionally –rewarding experiences of my career. The understanding, experiences and stories I have acquired over the last two weeks will enrich my teaching for decades to come.

After all that we’ve seen and done over the last few weeks it still seems as though we’ve barely scratched the surface of what Turkey has to offer. So many cultures have passed through and left their mark on this land! It’s truly awe-inspiring.

The mystery of Turkey has slowly unfolded in these last two weeks. I hope to return soon with my family and share with them the marvels that I saw. As for my students I hope I can do due justice to this beautiful country by sharing with them the many memories that I?ve collected.

I have been so charmed by the friendliness of all the Turkish people I have met - the gracious hospitality of shopkeepers; people on the street and the welcome given to a group of (loud) Americans. I knew out the beauty of the country in the West and along the coast but I really enjoyed driving into the interior - such a rugged, mountainous and fertile land! What I have enjoyed the most is learning about the many civilizations and settlements, and their beliefs, rituals and how those have been modified and adapted over time. -- finding form and a role in subsequent settlements.

What a wonderful experience. The Turkish Cultural Foundation did a great job of putting this together. All who worked on this deserve great praise and a pat on the back. Everything we did seemed like a special treat. To finally see and experience Istanbul gives me new perspectives of events I have read and studied. As a Christian, the biblical places gave me goose bumps as I walked and stood in key places of the Bible. We visited and experienced so many wonderful places that I have many great memories to share with others. However, I especially appreciated seeing a great deal of the landscape of Turkey and being able to interact with the people of Turkey. Wherever we went in Turkey I always found the people to be friendly, courteous, anxious to talk, and show wonderful smiles. I will be forever grateful for this experience.

It has been such an honor to take part in this adventure. I cannot wait to spread the word of the kindness, hospitality, beauty, richness and amazement we found in this country - at home, with friends, to my students and to anyone and everyone who will listen, for many years to come.

Getting to travel through Turkey has shattered all of my prior notions and ideas about this country. I have had one spectacular moment after another. I?ll never forget the amazing generosity of the Turkish Cultural Foundation, Serhan the knowledgeable guide and all the fellow educators I met. I am so excited to go back and share with my students the magic of this great land, the warmth and friendliness of the people and the rich history.

This trip and adventure throughout Turkey will stay with me for a lifetime. As I return to the United States, I leave a bit of my heart in this beautiful land of history, culture, food, music, and most importantly, the warm and welcoming people who make Turkey the incredible country that it is.

This journey through Turkey has been awesome! I felt like a VIP the whole trip. The Turkish Cultural Foundation is to be complimented for providing this outstanding program to us. I am excited to begin my reflections on my trip when I return to the US. I look forward to sharing my experiences with friends and family, my students will also benefit from my pictures and stories. I take home some beautiful memories with me. Walking the ancient ground of Çatalhoyuk was certainly a highlight. Talking to the warm, friendly people of Turkey and sharing tea in shops was so special. The religious diversity ? Muslim, Jewish and Christian- that was presented deepened my understanding of the spiritual needs of all people. Though we are different in many ways, we are really very much alike.

This has been such an amazing, wonderful trip. I have learned and seen so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you. The Turkish people everywhere have been so warm, smiling and hospitable to us ?such friendly people and such amazing things to see mosques, churches, ruins, museums. It has all been fabulous. The itinerary was exhausting, but well worth every minute.

Thank you for a fabulous learning experience! Turkey is a beautiful, diverse, and rich country. Rich in culture, rich in history, rich in beauty, rich in cultural understanding. The ruins were so exciting to explore! The museums were gorgeous, the food delicious, the hotels lovely! The scenery was spectacular, the lectures satisfying, the people lovely. This trip was life changing and life enhancing. Thank you!

The expertise of the Turkish Cultural Foundation in the arrangement of the trip was superb. I am leaving with a greater appreciation for the country of turkey and her people. The trip has also deepened my understanding of my own life and religion that I hope to share with others. Again thank you for the opportunity to experience history up close and personally.

I really want to thank the Turkish Cultural Foundation for taking such great effort in organizing this study tour. I have had such a wonderful time learning about both the cultural and historical aspects of Turkey. I loved the warmth and generosity of all the Turkish people that I met. This trip wouldn′t have been the same without such kindness.

I have discovered a country filled with beautiful people and beautiful landscapes. From day one, I was greeted by one friendly Turk after another. What great people to share two and a half weeks with. Our trip was one breathtaking view after another. I thought nothing would ever compare to Istanbul and the Bosphorus, then came the beautiful valleys of interior Turkiye and climaxed with Amasya?s unforgettable picturesque scene. This view will be etched in my memory forever! I will miss you Turkiye.

What a beautiful and mysterious place Turkey is! I will forever be grateful to the Turkish Cultural Foundation for the privilege of sharing your wonderful country and experiencing its rich culture and warm hospitality. What I will miss most is the friendliness and kindness of strangers and the variety of its rich cuisine (food). I am looking forward to sharing with my family, friends, and students what a marvelous country Turkiye is! It has truly been a wonderful experience and a rich blessing to have been a part of this Study Tour.

"Oh Turkey ? You take my breath away - The sun, the sea, the coffee, the art, never have I seen a country so rich in history, food, hospitality and love. I saw blue skies, rain, clouds, ruins of all centuries, and peoples, Byzantine pantocrater, madreses, tomb of gazis and poets, and the palaces of Ottoman and the everpresent statues of Ataturk. In the life of Turkey today, - the laughter, the sparkle in the eye, the pride, the sound of life you have given me a gift which I will take with me always.

This is a cherished gift we have all been given. Sixteen days to fall in love with Turkey.

This trip has created a sea change in my perception of Turkey. I am in awe of the long history of this place. I also liked finding out more about modern Turkish history. Today, I just completed my tour of Ataturk′s museum. Reading his telegrams, written during the Revolution and the early years of the Republic, helped me appreciate the amazing changes that have occurred in Turkish society. I will always remember the beauty of the Turkish landscape (double WOWS for Pamukkale and Cappadocia), the rich culture and history we have been exposed to here, the warmth and pride of the Turkish people, and the humor and companionship of my fellow travelers. Thank you for these extraordinary experiences.

Merhaba nasilsiniz! Thank you for an excellent experience in Turkey. I will never forget this beautiful country and its warm and hospitable people. My memories will include;

-A beautiful fertile, green countryside
-A vibrant, alive culture
-Delicious dishes of Turkish food
-A strong spirit of national pride
-A sense of social responsibility concerning issues surrounding national resources (water, recycling, etc)
-A thriving economy of both modern products and regional handcrafts

The highlight of my experiences was definitely the sense I got of walking on the path of history, from 7,000 BC to the modern day. I felt that I was stepping in the footsteps of history. Now I return home, where I will teach my classes with much more authority and authenticity because I have experienced "history alive"! Cok tesekkurler