After watching several travel videos and talking with friends who had recently visited Turkey, my expectations were high. My travels and experiences here have exceeded them all. Turkey is a destination not to be missed.

This was a life-changing experience that exposed me to another culture, allowed me to make great new friends from around the country, and whet my appetite for more study tours!

This trip surpassed my expectations in every way. I was overwhelmed by the longevity and richness of the history and culture. Truly a magnificent experience that I am excited to share with my students and others.

What an amazing opportunity to have experienced. An in-depth discovery of the lengthy history and rich culture of a beautiful land. I have so many things I can’t wait to share with my community and classroom. The Turkish culture has such a focus on hospitality- we felt incredibly welcomed by everyone. It seemed like people were genuinly concerned with all of our group having as fantastic an experience as possible.

I saw people living in community- smiling, visiting with one another, drinking piping hot tea from small clear glass tea cups with tiny spoons, playing backgammon in public places. I saw people working- selling bowls and scarves and t-shirts and postcards, making pottery and rugs and fresh squeezed juice and aromatic foods, serving others, working and harvesting crops in the fields under the ever-hot sun. I saw people moving- by foot, by taxi and truck and tractor, by bike and bus and boat, isolated in the country, chaotic in the city. And I- I am also a person- living in community, working, and moved by Turkey!

Turkey has bewitched me- mind, body and soul. I have learned so much about the country and culture that my classroom will never be the same, and the experiences I’ve had will live with me forever.

Turkey was a phenomenal experience for me. With the exception of Canada as a child, I have never been out of the country. As a visual arts teacher, I was amazed at the beautiful landscapes, the vibrant peoples, the architecture and stylish decor of the apartments, houses, and other buildings. I enjoyed immersing myself within the culture and liked the historical and humorous stories and history of the Turkish culture and heritage. I thoroughly enjoyed the Turkish cuisine including all of the foods and beverages consumed at every stop along the way. Again, the beautiful surroundings and the clothing articles worn by the people of Turkey added so much to the experience. The arts, crafts and textiles of this country were amazing in the breadth and depth of the people’s talents and skills. The vast variety of music and skills of local musicians added a flair to the ambiance of this place.

Before coming on this trip to Turkey, I had always thought that organized group tours were for people who were inexperienced with travel abroad or for those who are afraid of leaving the comforts of home. This trip has changed that perception. I now see how valuable it is to have a guide who can help people understand the new culture they are seeing and who can recommend experiences that a tourist would beunlikely to choose on their own or even with a guidebook. I have had a wonderful experience here. It combined all the best aspects of a holiday and a classroom. This was a true example of experimental learning. I would reccomment TCF’s mission, website, and this tour to every American teacher.

This experience has enriched my life and is sure to have the same effect on my students. I look forward to sharing with them my experiences in a country that has rebuilt itself in the 20th century into a proud, warm, and open society that will be a great leader in the years to come.

We hit the ground running and never slowed down. It would take a lifetime to explore the wealth of history, culture, and hospitality that Turkey offers, and our hosts ensured that every moment was filled with discovery. One cannot help but be overwhelmed standing at Catalhoyuk or Ephesus or amazed looking out at the surrealist Cappadocia landscape. It will take weeks after I return home to share all that I have learned and experienced over the last fourteen days, but the experience will be part of my life forever.

Turkey far exceeded any and all preconceived notions that I had. I was impressed. I will be back!

This experience reconfirmed and augmented my belief that we belong to a shared humanity, one that transcends time and culture.

Traveling to Turkey has been inspiring and eye opening. I am leaving here with a refreshed mind, new perspectives, and a wealth of new ideas and resources I can use in my classroom. Overall, this was an excellent experience I would recommend to any educator!

Turkey opened its doors and her arms embraced us. She held us warmly on our quest to know her, spilling sights and sounds for us to bathe in. Merely a sip was enough to love her and invoke a whirl of emotions. My only regret is having but one life to live, an instant of which was in Turkey. Eyvallah!

Thank you TCF! This trip was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. The history and culture I have been exposed to will be reflected in my classroom instruction for years to come. Please continue to make this trip available to teachers so that they can educate Americans about what Turkey is like.

The chance of a lifetime for any teacher. This study tour gave a very unique and eye-opening experience that changes the perspective and attitudes of all teachers involved. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to take part in such an academic and cultural tour. I thank the Turkish Cultural Foundation as well as the world affairs council of Maine for giving me this increibly life-changing experience.

TCF has put together a tour of Turkey- its historic sites, natural beauty, schools, culture, and cuisine that is simply amazing. If you have the opportunity: GO! It is hard to imagine a more varied, comfortable, exciting, enlightening, 2 week sojourn in Turkey- despire the incredible heat. TCF values educators and both challenges and awards them with an experience that will greatly expand any teacher’s knowledge and understanding of a rising regional power in a strategic part of the world- leaving the teacher thirsty for more and excited to share it all with his or her students. THANK YOU TCF.

My trip was an eye-opening experience that broke through all the stereotypes of what the “middle cast” is. Turkish people have a culturally rich history that they want to share with everyone. They are deeply rooted in the eastern and western world and are a true crossroads into both ways of life. There are not enough words to explain what a blessing this trip has been.

Before my visit, I had a black and white textbook knowledge of Turkey. Now, thanks to the tours, lectures, and cultural events I experienced, color and texture have been added to my understanding of this country that lies at the crossroads of civilization and has played a significant role throughout world history. Thanks to this grand adventure, I have become enthralled with this nation’s history, culture, and people.

My experience in Turkey was a physically taxing, information overloading, eye opening, thought provoking, laugh inducing, spiritually fulfilling experience. I am so grateful.

Mind-opening. Pre-conceived notions will be challenged as you gain a fuller, more-complete and informed opinion of the complex country that is Turkey. The ancient world is always a presence as you witness a modern and changing landscape. Turkey is a place I hope to return to and wil forever be a part of my life.

Sitting or standing where someone else was 6,000 years ago leaves me speechless. Walking down the road at Ephesus toward where the Aegean Sea was, I could imagine the bustling of the civilization. This was a mind-boggling experience!

I would never have dreamed of such a wonderful trip. It will take weeks to process the wonders of this trip.

This travel and teacher experience altered my two-dimensional knowledge. All those mosaics, mosques, antiques, and ruins of which I’ve known for decades became three-dimensional and I’m never turning back!

In 1997- I spent 2 weeks in Turkey- This trip reinforced my image of Turkey- planting trees, using wind and solar power, as well as energy saving in hotels and tourist sights. Turkey is advanced, cosmopolitan, and its citizens were amazing. We could emulate Turkey’s green energy programs.

Before this trip, I was not aware of the depth of Turkey’s history and culture. Participating in the Turkish Cultural Foundation’s Study Tour for Teachers allowed me to deepen my personal knowledge of Turkey while expanding the breadth of information I provide my students. Thank you, TCF, for the experience of a lifetime.

The Turkish people are welcoming, warm, and wonderful.

I learned so much about the history, culture, language, art and geography of Turkey. Each day was savored with a hidden surprise that revealed new insights that helped me to understand the development of this extraordinary nation.

This trip has been the most amazing experience. If only I could sign up again?! It was exciting from start to finish, and the Turkish members of our tour were a tremendous part of our enriching and unforgettable experience.

It is difficult to put into words my feelings at the end of this study tour. These have been the best two weeks of my life- my time in Turkey was amazing! The hospitality of the Turkish people and the TCF was extraordinary and I can’t wait to share my experiences with my friends, family, students and colleagues. I am so lucky to have had this life-changing experience and am forever indebted to the Turkish people and the TCF.

Each day was full of new wonders. This was the most wonderful experience on which I will reflect for years. The Turks are very friendly and proud of their culture and country. I certainly will visit again.

The beauty of Turkish hospitality is indescribable. The intimacy I experienced throughout the past two weeks will be cherished for the rest of my life.

The welcoming spirit of the Turkish people and the rich culture and geography that they shared with us will be both a part of my life forever and my students’.

The richness of the Turkish culture is now in the forefront of my mind and I’m grateful for this new awareness. It will be great tos hare what I’ve learned to my students as well as my family.

I can only imagine how many people I need to thank for this amazing journey across Turkey and through time. It was such a gift to be able to focus on the history, geography, and art while knowing I had transportation, dining on regional cuisine, loging, and a knowledgeable guide. All this truly did create a trip of a lifetime that I can share with family, friends, colleagues and students. This trip was a wonderful full-immersion. Thank you, tesekkur ederim ve allahismarladik.

This trip was the adventure of a lifetime – truly. I have fallen in love with places before, but Turkey has stolen not only my heart, it has captured my soul. I’ll leave her with more questions than answers. My first question – Why didn’t they teach us this in school? I had no idea that this amazing country has to offer. Consider me a devoted classroom ambassador. Turkey has completely won me over!

The experience was as fantastic as I had been told by previous teachers, and more emotional than I had expected. I was moved to tears at Ephesus and swimming in the Aegean Sea. This has been a terrific opportunity as well to learn from collegues around the country which teaching projects and practices benefit students. From such sharing, I have decided to change the sequence of my world history curriculum.

It has helped me become aware of a country that has the potential to be an important player in world affairs. Studying for this trip enabled me to fill in gaps of my knowledge about Turkish history – things not covered in our standard textbooks – such as the post World War I invasion of Turkey by Greece. Also given me a fuller appreciation of the amazing Ataturk.

This has been the trip of a lifetime! I have not only enjoyed, but been fascinated by each and every stop on this amazing adventure. Each day’s sights seemed to surpass the day before. The variety of topics and time periods covered made the content of the tour relevant to everyone’s curriculum. I am excited for the opportunity to share my new found knowledge and love of Turkey with my collegues and students.

My TST 2012 experience was phenomenal. The two weeks spent in Turkey were an exciting introduction into all aspects of Turkish culture and history. I look forward to integrating my experience into my classroom and continuing my own education of Turkey in the modern world.

My arrival in Türkiye was like entering into a dream. Every mile, every day, every moment, created new memories to lock away and share with my friends, family, and collegues back in the states. The TCF has out-done themselves in their herculean task of sharing this unique culture with teachers, who will, inturn, introduce a new generation to the past, present and future of the Turkish people.

This experience has been a wirlwind of cultural education that couldn’t be obtained any other way!

So many aspects of this experience surpassed my expectations. From the accomadations to the sites to the guide. I am beyond thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in this unforgettable study tour and would highly recommend it to the teachers of all subject and grade levels. I’ve learned so much!

This was an experience of a lifetime! I have learned so much and am returning to America anxious to share what I have learned.

A series of photographs taken by Ara Guler explain the role the past plays in the life of a Turkish person today. Why learn about Turkey? The amount of information and rich art and architecture the people of Turkey sit on is priceless to the world. Ancient civilization, Ebru art form, philosophy and economics are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the treasures of this irredescent country. The experience in Turkey was my way of walking in the shoes of the people and trying to understand their wealth and challenges. What a humanitarian, spiritual, and educational life-enriching opportunity. Thank you TCF!

Every day of the study tour was exciting- filled with “wow” moments that touched and enlightened me about Turkish culture and history. I have become deeply fond of Turkey and the Turks I met, and my clearer insights and understanding will alter my teaching of this vital part of the world.

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to visit the ruins of ancient Greece and Rome. It wasn’t until my young adult years that I discovered Turkey was the home of my heart’s desire. But I really didn’t think beyond the past. This trip has opened my eyes to the colors and faces of a beautiful and complicated nation. Turkey is rich in history, cultural diversity, and artistic tradition. This trip introduced me to aspects of a nation that can become an agent of change in a complicated and restless region of the world, even while holding onto the traditions of the past. My experience in Turkey was enlightening. It was joyful, interesting and frequently spoke to my heart.

The experiences I have gained in Turkey have changed me as a person, as an educator and as a member of the global community. I value the culture and heritage of Turks in such a profound way that I cannot return to my class and teach the same way as before. I cannot ignore Turkey’s place in history or its role in the future of our planet.

The cultural, historical, artistic and culinary experience is beyond my expectations. Everywhere people were accomadating and always a smile; when I talked with a person they looked me in the eyes and paid attention to me. I find this very pleasing becuase in the states we have so little eye contact and the person went out of their way to help. My experiences were, from a historian’s standpoint, exactly what I needed to know. Everyday was filled with knowledge and excellent information from our tour Guide and then the actual site visit was very hands-on. Listening, seeing, and then reflecting was a great way to absorb this fantastic country that you all call home. From the call to prayer, seeing Istanbul again, the Anatolian plain, to the beginning of civilization, to the Byzantines- to Crossroads of trade and connecting to the greater world your country the size of Texas has so much to give to the world, that if people don’t come they are wasting an opportunity of a life time by not seeing Turkey. The accommodations were beyond anything that I have ever had in the United States. I will share this experience with all my county AP teachers in a work shop. To the North Florida World Affairs Council and anyone who will listen: You have been more than gracious wonderful hosts and hostesses. I thank you, which seems like a very small sentence, but I truly mean it. Thank you again.

WOW! I had such an amazing time. I loved learning about all the beautiful and the rich culture that Turkey has to offer. This experience surpassed all of my expectations. Turkey is a country that the world needs to learn about more!

I am leaving Turkey with a remarkable amount of knowledge to share with my students, friends, family, and community. The TCF experience has truly been an englightening journey!

Experimental learning at its finest. This proves that a teacher study-tour can be hands-on, scholarly, AND fun! I would reccommend this study-tour to any educator who is interested in bridging the gap of ignorance with knowledge, understanding and respect. 2 weeks is just the tip of the iceberg . . . but it’s an amazing start to a life-long journey. This study tour has awoken a passsion to learn more and a desire to share this knowledge with students and other Americans.

Before visiting Turkey, I knew as much as an inscription on a grain of rice. My experience has brought me through bowls of rice with enough images to create poetry.

“I saw more than I will remember, but I will remember more than I saw.” The experience of this trip is hard to put into words . . . the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, colors- were so rich and varied- just as Turkey is. I feel so lucky to have been part of this and want to share it with my students and colleagues.

This trip was psychedelic in the true sense of the word: mind expanding. We spiraled through millenniums of history and culture; sampling a melange of spices, scenery, ancient ruins, melodies and glittering colors. We teachers were treated like rockstars, on a tour of one night stands in luxury hotels while encountering first hand the traces and talismans of civilizations past and present, whose spirits animate the zeitgeist of the panorama of peoples and the traditions which make up the country of Turkey.

This cultural study has competely changed my perceptions of Turkish people and culture. I had always heard of Turkey being the crossroads, but it’s another thing to see and experience the multiculturalism of Turkey. I will definitely be changing how I teach and approach Turkey in my classroom.

I can’t wait to share my experiences with my students! And with my colleagues and friends as well.

I never realized the contributions this region has made to our world. From neolithic sites, Greek ruins, Roman ruins, to the Ottoman Empire and the current republic, Turkey is one of the richest countries in history, culture, and people.

My experiences in Turkey during the past 2 weeks have been overwhelmingly outstanding. I have had a very close bond with a Turkish family fort he past few years so I very well know how remarkable Turkish people are . . . I am passionate about Turkey and consider Turkey to be my “second motherland.” Visiting the mosques, museums, Ephesus, and other landmarks has inspired an additional love and I am honored to be here and look forward to educating others in my school and community about Turkey’s heritage and culture. I hope to return to Turkey in the near future. Thanks! :)

Short of bringing my students to Turkey to see the Neolithic, Greek, and Roman sites, I can think of no beter way to expose my students to this kind of history. It creates a passion that cannot be measured.

This experiences has re-organized my approach to humanities studies about this region. I now have so many ideas about introducting aspects of Turkish culture to my students! From history to ethnicites, from geography to art, from architecture to patterns of politics and power, from literature to cuisine- I am full of knowledge shared with me through TCF from guides, scholars, museums, and sites. My life is changed because of this trip, no exaggeration! I cannot wait to spread this knowledge to others: what an amazing, generous and phenominal gift. I am humbled.

Everday presented more surprises- beauty of mosques, the rapid growth of Istanbul, very ancient sites, a stop to a small town’s weekly market. The country is vast, the people diverse and the food varied. Each town, each region, presented its own cultural and historical flavor. I hope to return to some of the same sites and to explore many new regions.

My trip to Turkey has been a once in a lifetime opportunity. It truly exceeded all expectations that I had. Everyday on the trip, I thought about how lucky I was to be having this experience and how much I was learning in such a short amount of time. At least once each day my breath was taken away while looking at a site or I was overwhelmed with the amount of information I was learning, but I wouldn’t trade either of those feelings for anything.

There are not enough powerful words to explain how life-changing this trip has been. Before coming to Turkey I knew so little about the country, people, and culture. Leaving Turkey, I obtained so much rich information, it will take me years to digest! “I saw more than I can remember, but I will remember more than I saw.”- unknown

Words alone cannot even begin to describe how meaningful this experience has been for me. I am eternally grateful to the TCF for having selected me to participate in this once in a lifetime person to person cultural study tour. My knowledge and view of Turkey and the role it has, and continues to play, in the world has greatly expanded, and has altered my approach to this topic within the social studies curriculum. I am eager to share my experiences with my students once I return to the US. Myself and the other teachers arrived as strangers, but now leave as friends. Thank you for everything.

This study tour taught me not only about Turkey, but about the development of humankind through the ages. The history and culture in Turkey helped put into perspective the theology and politics from Neolithinc times to present day. The variety of sites included were a well-balanced mix of religion, culture, history and current events. I enjoyed the pace, the tour guide and the wonderful food and lodging; most of all I enjoyed all of the people associated with the tour- from the TCF staff to the other participants, even the incredibly gracious people of Turkey.

Outstanding! TCF/TCA/WAC spared no expense in sharing the culture of Turkey and their passion for this beautiful country. Listening to all (both American and Turkish) of the teachers on this tour, and hearing how they are going to share these amazing experiences with their students, colleagues and friends, I can promise you that we will all represent this organization in the fairest, most professional manner possible. We are the diplomats for these countries. Thank you! Much much love!