Three teachers from New Hampshire have returned from Turkey after spending two weeks studying the country through the Turkish Cultural Foundation’s Teacher Study Tour program, fully sponsored and organized by TCF in collaboration with the World Affairs Council of America and its nationwide chapters.

The local teachers, selected by World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, come from Windham Middle School in Windham, Fairgrounds Middle School in Nashua and Saint Mary Academy in Dover and are a part of a group of 54 teachers split into two tours. Volunteer Turkish teachers accompanied the American teachers along the way.

The teachers will be inspired to share their experiences through cultural and educational programs that introduce Turkey to the local community and in their classrooms.

During their time in Turkey, the teachers learned about the Turkish educational system through meetings with fellow teachers and students from various Turkish schools, including Darussafaka, a school for orphaned children, the Terakki Foundation School in Istanbul and the Atakoy Elementary School in the village of Karacasu. The latter school has been adopted and is being supported by visiting American teachers from this and previous TCF Study Tours.

The teachers also visited numerous cities and villages across the country, beginning in Istanbul, where they toured famous historical sites such as the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Spice Bazaar and the Topkapi Palace

TCF has introduced American educators to the history, culture and landmarks of Turkey since 2007. Planning is already under way for the 2014 tours. Interested teachers may learn more at www.turkishculturalfoundation.org.