We arrived in Istanbul as a group of strangers but we are leaving as friends. What a fabulous journey! Without a doubt, this was the best trip I’ve ever taken as a teacher. My life has been enriched by an infusion of Turkish culture and history and I know my students will benefit as my experiences bring new life to my lesson plans.

I feel that this study tour has absolutely broadened my view of Turkish history and culture. I am excited to share what I have learned with my students, colleagues and community.

I remember reading on the TCF website under Teacher Comments regarding their summer study tour to Turkey what one teacher said. She said that the trip had been a life changing experience. Much to my delight, a Turkish Delight, I have had a similar “life-changing” experience and so much more. I feel like I have truly taken a magic carpet ride through an incredible history and culture. This is not a tourist’s view of an interesting country by any means. Instead, this trip has not only positively affected my view of |Turkey but it has profoundly altered my view of the world by providing me with sights and sounds and tastes and touches of a culture with so much to offer. Because this trip afforded me the chance to examine something in such great detail and, by so doing, find so much more, this experience has challenged me to look with new eyes at anything in great detail and to, also, find so much more. Thank you Turkey and thank you TCF!

This teacher tour trip was truly amazing. It was a one in a lifetime experience. The sites/places, buildings, museums, music, art, food and the people were incredible! I feel blessed and honored to have been able to be a part of this year’s 2010 teacher study tour. I know that because of this experience my unit on Turkey is going to be so much richer than previous units; I can’t wait till I get to share Turkey with my students. If I could come back to Turkey or do this program I would take it in a heartbeat; there is no doubt in my mind about it. This trip was more than I could imagine. Turkey is the place to be! I will really miss Turkey. I will miss our tour guide (Orhan), our bus driver (Metin) and our helper (Gurcan); they made Turkey much more pleasant and interesting. This teacher study tour gave me a new perspective on Turkey. I always knew a little bit about Turkey growing up, but I never expected it to be this spectacular. I now feel like an expert on Turkey and am ready to share this with other teachers, my students and friends. We were treated like royalty. Everyone on this trip ensured that we were well taken care of. This really showed how hospitable and amazing Turkish people are.

There are many cultural bridges around the globe; ones that root themselves in diverse, rich lands and infuse themselves into a flavorful mix. The Turkish Cultural Foundation has led us across to the heart of all roots, here in Turkey. I never imagined the amount of knowledge that has been gifted to me through the tour. The treasures found here in the geography, intricate art, flavorful music, rich cuisine, and preservation of the history of so many civilizations is unbelievable. In our time, Turkey’s modern state is so essential for Americans to come to understand. The belief in this program for teachers will be so impacting. The opportunity to spend this time with educators from around the United States and being taught by such passionate coordinators and guides is ideal. I can’t express enough thanks to TCF for their vision and having faith in us to carry on what we’ve been able to experience. The impact on all our students will be immense in creating tolerance, peace, and excitement toward learning all this region has to offer.

Beautiful country
Seeped in culture and kindness
Worth every lira!
I am honored to have been chosen for this experience. I have learned a great deal through this once in a lifetime opportunity. I absolutely cannot wait to return.

This program will not only create a better understanding of Turkey, but it will create better relations between our two countries! This life altering experience all began by attending a one-day seminar. The photos I have taken cannot capture the beauty and hospitality of the Turkish people.

This has been an amazing experience. TCF has really taken care of us. Everywhere we have traveled to has been beautiful and seemingly without a hitch! Every day is a new adventure and an exciting experience. I love the diversity of Turkey – geographically and culturally. Having this experience will help me teach Modern World History – the rise of Turkey as a Republic and the religious/secular issues that Turkey is dealing with in their government and culture.

Each talk and site visit was remarkable. With our completely packed itinerary, nothing seemed repetitive or unnecessary. Each and every story, talk, or discussion was well thought and presented. Orhan: Words cannot express how wonderful this man is for this work. All the things I mentioned in this questionnaire were enhances as they were shared with this man. Time then spent in the hotel and on the town with him was outstanding. Orhan guided each moment of this trio. Always there with additional information, advice, and wonderful humor.

My Turkish study tour experience is one I will remember and cherish forever. It was an incredible journey into the ancient past and a delightful glimpse at modern day Turkey. What a fascinating country. It opened my eyes to the complexities and beauties of Turkey’s people. From the bustling metropolis of Istanbul to the dusty roads of Cappadocia my head was spinning like the Dervish. What a wonderful opportunity for teachers. It was an honor to share an enchanting two weeks with fellow educators from around the country.

In my more than 30 years of teaching I’ve never been treated with such generosity and respect. The fine staff of the Turkish Cultural Foundation genuinely understands our potential and supports us in reaching it, for the sake of our students and the world. Now I ask myself “Why should we settle for less?”

Orhan, our guide, was amazing. He seemed to come from the past, present and future of Turkey. I see him sitting as an advisor to the grand vizier in the sultan’s court, singing revolutionary Turkish folk tales and attending Pink Floyd concerts on the Bosphorus. He is the most knowledgeable person I have ever met and quite funny. A stand up historian, truly, and he was most helpful. I remember losing my camera at a truck stop and Orhan was able to locate it, have it put on a bus and delivered to our next destination practically before we did. This would not have happened this way in the United States. The Turks are the most kind-hearted people I have met in all my travels. They are a very resilient, hardy and amusing nation. It seems that all that is good in people Turkey has been practicing for a long time.

Thank you fro providing this opportunity to visit your country. I am looking forward to sharing my experience with my family, students and fellow faculty members.

More Roman sites than Italy; more Greek sites than Greece; and a rich tapestry of diverse geographical and cultural experiences await those fortunate enough to travel through the land of Turkey. I am forever grateful to have had such an adventure.

The tour was amazing. It’s hard to explain in writing… actually it’s impossible to explain in writing the value of this tour. The culture, the history, the scenery, the sites, and the exemplary treatment by TCF were all fantastic. If you have the chance, put all of your reservations aside and jump in. You will be happily surprised you did.

Going to Turkey was like being the new kid at school… Unfamiliar and a bit scary, until I found out that it was a lot like where I came from.

Words and photos cannot do justice to the beauty and intrigue of Turkey. It is a must see experience.

Azure domes rise six
Bony fingers to the sky
Reaching for Allah

Exotic moonscape
Dervishes whirl in the dust
Blessings from Allah

Pink castle glows Rose
Sad Jesus surveys his loss
Now where do I go?

Plebeians sleep soundly
A denial rankles deep
The elite fly high

Hearing and learning about Turkey is like opening a book and reading a page, but traveling to and experiencing Turkey is like reading through the book on the edge of your seat. I have studied about and taught on Turkey, but traveling through Turkey has opened my eyes in new ways. I have been to Turkey and I have seen Turkey but I gave so much more to learn about this incredible country. The teacher study tour to Turkey is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that gives you a taste of this beautiful country, but leaves you hungry for more. The sights leave you speechless, the sounds of “merhaba” bring a smile to your face, the vibrant colors of the market paint a beautiful picture in your mind, the aromas and tastes of the cuisine fill you with joy, and the memories last a lifetime.

I have never visited a country with such big hearts. The people of Turkey were wonderful.

Today I got a family heirloom. From its place of honor in my house, I can show how it reminds me that good things take time, and things of value last forever. Just like all the archeological sites we visited in Turkey. My heirloom also reminds me of the work ethic of the amazing Turkish people. Good things take time – a delicious meal, a great tour, and my Turkish rug. Things of value last forever – my memories of Turkey, the friendships I have made, and my new Turkish rug. Thank you for this gift.

I never imagined what a rich array of beauty, history, and culture Turkey offers to the world. The variety of places we visited and explored – museums, mosques, artisan workshops, archeological sites among others – combined with the depth of information makes it difficult to decide what to teach about. I could truly create an entire unit, not just one lesson. We were so well taken of during the entire tour. All members of TCF worked hard to ensure our comfort and answer our questions. This trip was definitely one of a lifetime.

This study tour is an incredibly rich and diverse look at a country that is essential to understand in history and today’s world. The range of sites and experiences on this study tour was incredible, I feel like I’ve been here for two months, not two weeks! The TCF and Orhan will do everything in their power to make this trip safe, comfortable, delicious, interesting, fun, informative, and well rounded. I gained such a deep knowledge and appreciation of Turkish culture and history from this study tour, and I know it will make an impact on my teaching in many ways.

I had an amazing time in Turkey. It’s been an incredible journey with some truly amazing people, I felt like I was travelling in a caravan that transcended time and (will) have arrived at a destination with a more open mind and heart. The Turkish people have been so generous and I look forward to sharing Turkish culture wherever I go.

I feel deeply grateful to the TCF for offering this experience. It was one of the richest adventures I have ever had in my life. As I prepare to leave Turkey and return to the US, I reflect on the numerous ways in which this country is the keystone that holds the East and West together. It’s incredible to be in this convergence zone where Turks welcome travelers from all over the world to explore the richness and diversity of human civilization in this land. I leave Turkey feeling as though this country holds the key to the future of East-West relations, politically and culturally. I have loved witnessing the harmonious dichotomies of daily life here! As our guide, Orhan framed the journey through his remarkable lens that blended history, sociology, linguistics, geography and pop culture. He kept me intrigued, inspired, and entertained with his insight, charisma and humor.

It was wonderful. I have been abroad nine times and I do think this has been the best of all nine trips. The people were wonderful to us. The places we saw were spectacular! The food was good, the hotels excellent, and our guide. You might not ever know how much this trip meant to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

This was my first trip abroad and was unforgettable. The people here are warm and friendly. Even though language is a barrier, communication was still achieved. The country is beautiful in its diversity, from the hustle and bustle of the big city life in Istanbul, to the calm and slow life of the rural villages. Even though our history may be very different, we all share the same goals for our future: a better life for our coming generations. Even though we are thousands of miles apart, we can be close with the push of a few buttons. The insights this trip has given me will be passed on to my classes and I am honored to be given the opportunity to do so. Thank you TCF!

This has truly been one of the most educational and enriching educational experiences in 31 years of teaching. The unique geographical features and events will enhance many geography and science lessons- such as the erosion resulting in unique Cappadocian rock structures. The wonderful fine arts, history, and literature knowledge acquired are too extensive to name. These journeys will help many teachers reintroduce essential historical concepts- such as the impact of the Ottoman Empire- to all areas of the curriculum. Turkey’s role is crucial worldwide so we teachers are fortunate to have this enlightening opportunity. We can begin to clarify so many misconceptions about Turkey. Every detail was planned and handled impeccably. The guides, drivers, and assistants were always professional and cheerful. I cannot imagine how the experience could have been more reinvigorating as well as comprehensive. The personal encounters (meeting people in schools and at TCF) and hands-on experiences (paper marbling, hiking in sites, archaeological digs, pottery, and rug making-particularly silk thread) truly brought the culture to life.

This trip has been a revelation of knowledge of the diversity of a country and a people who have imprinted the history of our planet. Turks are a courageous, loving people who have embraced their history and have survived turmoil, and used their individual resources to move into the future. As I leave this beautiful country and people, I will savor their kindness, generosity, joy of life in my heart and mind as a special gift from the TCF. What a treasure and what a fabulous opportunity as an educator. I remain in awe and in love with Turkey.

This study tour has truly been a once in a lifetime opportunity to begin to understand the complexity, richness, and diversity that can be found in Turkey. This tour was so many tours in one—a history tour in which the significance of the country in world religions and politics from pre-Biblical times on was explained and experienced. An art tour in which we got a chance to see beautiful works from more than a millennium ago and see current artisans working to keep those arts alive and creating beautiful work today. An eating tour with the most amazing food—delicious, abundant, fresh, and authentic to each region. I feel grateful that I was chosen for this trip. I cannot wait to share all that I have learned with other teachers in my district, and with friends and relatives. Everyone needs to come to Turkey at least once—and if they can, over and over again!

Turkey sings to my soul on so many different levels. Historically, who knew it had more Roman sites than Italy and more Greek sites than Greece? Culture! What an exciting mix of diversity! Here all roads meet it seems. Ancient civilizations still live among the towns and cities, it’s a part of life, not regulated to history books or museums. Food! What great food! The infinite variety of fresh fruits and vegetables from far and near, the combinations of spices and flavors leave me looking forward to the next meal. Geographically! What a geographical wonder Turkey is. Education! The school visits made me think of how much the American Educational System could benefit from the Turkish example. Turkey is way too wonderful for that!

By participating in this study tour, I have become a more empowered teacher. Through me, students will be able to experience the rich history and present greatness of Turkey. No longer, will I skip Turkish history because of my lack of knowledge.

Turkey has proved a true delight. Turkey really is comprised of so many “pieces”. The eras of migration, conquest, and assimilation has produced such a diverse, rich, layered place. This impression came to me so strongly as we examined the Catalhoyuk site. I realized that as we journey from city to city, we are shifting and sifting through so many myriad layers. I am only just beginning to understand what I have experienced. My wish is that my students will realize that Turkey is a delight.

The Study Tour to Turkey has been a valuable opportunity for me as both an educator and an individual. From the mesmerizing dervishes to the surreal formations of Cappadocia, Turkey is a place of great beauty and continuous transformation. I am filled with ideas for lessons to share with my students. I have learned so much during my visit and hope to return someday.

From the Blue Mosque of Istanbul to the fairy towers of Cappadocia, the Turkish Cultural Foundation provides a tour of breadth, insight, and education. This combined with the wit of our guide and a backdrop of ever changing scenery will allow me to take the culture of Turkey home with me to my classroom, civic organizations, community, and especially, many wonderful memories.

This is a trip that all teachers should have the opportunity to take. There is something here for all content areas- geography, history, science, music, art. Your perspective of Turkey will change and your lesson plans will never be the same. This trip is intense, but the education is wonderful. Things you only read about come alive and you can say to your students: “Yes, Cappadocia does look like that, I was there.” While we are now headed for home, the trip will forever be remembered fondly.

T= touched by the willingness of the Turkish people to open their land to American teachers
U=understanding of the importance of cross cultural communication and commitment
R= reevaluating our preconceived notions about the Turkish country
K=keeping new friendships and alliances alive
E=everyone has broadened their horizons
Y=yet another reason why I teach!

Like a teacher gives their students knowledge, the Turkish Cultural Foundation has given me a love for Turkey. The vision of the Turkey Study Tour far outweighs its intended agenda. This is a trip that will not only impact my teaching in the classroom but will leave an everlasting imprint on my life. The massive itinerary of this study tour combines Turkish culture, history, society, and geography. What surprised me the most about Turkey was the impact of Ataturk in modern day life. The dream of his secular nation that will include all people continues to strive and prosper in modern Middle East today. As geography teacher the topography of Turkey is phenomenal. From the Mediterranean coastline, to the interior harvest land, Turkey exudes that it is a place for all interests. I am blessed with this experience to travel to Turkey. It has been a gift beyond its expectations. What a memory, what an experience, I have been given. My gift in return will be to share all that I have learned to my friends, students, and family.

Turkey is an amazing country. It is as varied in its landscape as it is in its people and culture. To the Turkish Cultural Foundation, know how grateful I am for having been given this unbelievable experience. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I now consider myself an official ambassador of Turkey. I will share my experience every chance I get!

I thought this study tour was an outstanding experience. It was top notch and ranks the best among study tours I have participated in. I appreciate the generosity of the Turkish Cultural Foundation. I know how we have struggled at the state level to get questions on Ataturk and Suleiman and the Ottomans on to the test. Because, these topics are not evenly covered around the states, it’s not easy. I’ve gotten some ideas as a result of this study tour and I’m going to share them at State Ed.

I have learned so much about this country so far. The people are friendly and the landscape is tremendously breathtaking. I was exposed to culture and history and I truly have a strong sense of how the Turkish people endured progressed throughout generations. I feel lucky and I am prepared to spread my knowledge about Turkey and promote this country to anyone who is willing to take the opportunity to listen. I feel very at home here, especially, Istanbul.

Overall, my first trip outside the USA has been a breathtaking and unbelievable experience. It has been an educational whirlwind tour through the history, culture, and modernity of Turkish life. I would never trade my experience for anything in the world. I wish I could stay longer and live in Turkey. My conceptions of Turkey were disproved as I learned Turkey is full of extraordinarily talented people who truly value their culture, art, and history. I am leaving this experience a different person and thanks to the Turkish Cultural Foundation, I am able to transfer much of this experience to my students. Thanks!

Turkey has changed me. Walking in the streets of Ephesus, Istanbul, and Iznik made Turkey enter into my soul. I will miss the smells of the Spice Bazaar, the sounds of the crashing Aegean waves, the tantalizing tastes of olives, hummus, and warm pitas and the textures of silk carpet underfoot. The sights of Turkey are burned into my memory—the detailed tiles of Topkapı Palace, the 86-carat diamond in the treasury, the multi-colored lanterns in the bazaar, the beautiful children, and the stunning sunsets! These are pictures that no KODAK film could ever reproduce. My heart is filled with the spirit of the Turkish people. Their kindness and generosity are paramount. Until this trip I was uninterested in gaining a depth of knowledge of this region. Now, I can’t wait to get to the bookstore and delve into the recommended reading—and more! This trip has illuminated Turkey and I cannot wait to share the experience with others. I want all to see Turkey as the jewel it is! Thank you again for the opportunity of a lifetime!

Turkey is magical, evolving, historical, struggling, and whimsical. This trip highlighted all of the pieces of Turkey: the layers of flavor and spice in the food, the mix of architecture in the cities, the blue of the Aegean and the Plains of the interior, and the street dogs tagged in the car and the old woman on the side of the road sharing her food with her three much loved dogs.

Wow! An overall impression of the TCF Study Tour...Fantastic and life changing. It has truly been an experience that has altered not only how I think about Turkey, but also how I will teach about it. The trip has filled in so many experiential and knowledge-based gaps in my understanding of Turkey. The entire experience gets a “10”.... it was superb! This experience will be put to use in many educational and personal ways. Thank you!

This is the story of Turkey—an ancient and emerging civilization, integrating, absorbing each others customs and creating a synthesis more lasting than most of what life offers. There is no where that this is more evident than Turkey! Starting from the fragments of the past, a huge reality comes to the surface. What an amazing chance to study this process!

Turkey is the DAIOPHGA of our history and civilization—whether the development of trade or the evolution of the concept of nation-states. Being in Turkey has brought alive the ideas of how cultures and history are all products of the interactions of peoples throughout time. So much of what went into the making of Western Civilization is alive still today in Turkey.

My dream has come true, but Turkey is more beautiful than I imagined. The Turkish people are so gracious and hospitable. In describing Turkey, the word beauty comes to mind, but beauty that surpasses all levels. Turkey is a continuous discovery for an avid learner like me. This trip has changed me as a person and as a teacher. I hope that the wonders and mysteries of this land of my dreams continue to fill my imagination and may the rest of the world come to share these dreams.

The people, the history, literature, food, and terrain all made a masterpiece of a unique and special culture. I truly feel that this experience has made me a better teacher and most of all, a better person.

My experiences in Turkey will stay with me forever. I will always speak very highly of Turkey and encourage anyone who will listen to me that they must find their way here. I cannot begin to express how thankful I am to have been chosen by TCF to participate in this adventure. This is a wonderful organization and I will be its biggest promoter in Hawaii and beyond!

While I could write several pages on the incredible sites and history of Turkey, the most meaningful aspect of this trip was meeting and getting to know the Turkish people along the way. Random conversations with students, shopkeepers, parents and museum guards left me with the indelible impression of Turkish hospitality. The genuine warmth and pride that the Turkish people have for their country was a privilege to experience.

This experience will influence my interaction with students as I guide them to plan for their future and expose them to the possibilities of experiences outside the United States. The first hand knowledge of Turkish culture that I have gained from this experience will influence my interactions with students in profound and unexpected ways for years to come.

An experience, a scholarly experience, we will never forget. It was life-changing.

This trip has changed my life and the true impact is yet to be felt. Thank you very, very much. I am appreciative and humbled to have been included. Thanks a million.

I was not prepared for this, I could not imagine as I laid down each night looking back and reflecting on the day’s events and looking forward to the next day’s scheduled stops – how could it keep getting better. But, it does! My impressions of Turkey will be a constant reminder of how wonderful, gracious and beautiful this country is. A treasure to behold for its ancient history and contributions to modern day world affairs. My heart is wonder-filled with amazing memories. Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity.

The Republic of Turkey had been a well-kept secret from me. That quickly began to change when I landed in Istanbul twelve days ago. I was greeted by amazing Turkish hospitality. Over time I slipped away from modern Turkey. Walking amidst the ancient roots of Catalhoyuk gave me pause. It was difficult to grasp the magnitude of standing where others had stood more than 7,000 years before me. This delightful adventure in the Republic of Turkey has been life changing.

My last thought to you is that the people of Turkey are among the nicest, friendliest and most courteous and sincere that I have ever dealt with. Turkey was a joy. Can’t wait to come back.

I have so many moments that moved me on an intense emotional level, especially witnessing the spiritual awe walking through the Hagia Sophia, and witnessing humankind’s first attempt at urbanized living at Çatalhöyük. This trip was the most thorough and organized group endeavor I have ever been on. I cannot wait to go home and express how wonderful Turkey is to my students, friends, and family. Turkey is truly a hidden treasure, but with my “teacher influence” I will work to help Americans recognize Turkey’s precious role in the past, present, and future.

Turkey has not only influenced my lesson plans, it has changed me inside and out. I not only feel different about Turkey but I will do, be and dress a more Turkish lifestyle.

In the streets our adventures continued with people living their everyday lives wiling to share themselves with us. The people we met were repeatedly warm, friendly, helpful and fun. Thank you once again for including me in this awesome experience. I will never forget the experience or the kind and generous people who made it happen.

Turkey is a wonderful blend of old and new and shows the world how to get along with one another and cooperate and adapt for prosperity for all. We should all learn from Turkey, tolerance. I will go home with love in my heart for this Great Nation.

Turkey is a must see for all world travelers. I want to thank the Turkish Cultural Foundation for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I will come back to Turkey to learn more about this fascinating country.

I am an enlightened person because of this experience and believe I can help spread the word that Turkey is a modern and very tolerant. Not forceful, but deserving of respect.

The guides and facilitators have been amazing. We were treated with respect and as trusted, important members of a team. The information and descriptions of Turkey past, present, and future were surprising at times and very interesting. Turkey is more than Gallipoli and Ataturk. It was a welcome experience to be able to immerse ourselves into the culture, history, and politics of this remarkable country. I feel this is just the beginning of a relationship with Turkey.

I know this trip is incredibly difficult to plan and organize. I want you to know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed and I will do my best to give back to others all you have given to me. Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication to this program. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience your wonderful, beautiful country.

I admire the TCF initiative and leadership in making and implementing this wonderful Study Tour. I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone involved in this Study Tour, which changed my world view and made me to become “an ambassador for Turkey” to American students and faculties. Thank you very much for this wonderful experience.

Thank you for the amazing trip! It will be very difficult to briefly tell friends, family, and students about the country. It is magical and magnificent!