Hello Forum Members,

In September 2008 I will begin graduate studies at Koc University (MA in International Relations) or Bilgi University (MA in History. As an international student, I'm not very familiar with these universities or with Istanbul in general. At this time I have two questions. I sincerely thank you in advance for your time and consideration:

1 - If you were an international student for two years in Istanbul, would you choose Koc or Bilgi? Which school has a stronger reputation? I should mention that Koc will be cheaper for me, as I received a full scholarship.

2 - If I attend Koc, where should I live in Istanbul? I'd like to find a place centrally located but no more than one hour from Koc University's campus, which is in rumelifeniri.

Thank You!

- Joe

I can not say anything about those universities. They are both prima. What I can say that after 2 years you will be one of us. You will be a "Turco" Joe. not G.I Joe :))

G.I. Joe is a comics . about US military issued in 1950's.

Firstly, this website is for touristic rather than educational advice, and for questions about living in Istanbul, you might do better to find a website for expats like www.mymerhaba.com, http://www.alloexpat.com/turkey_expat_forum/, www.expatfocus.com...
1) I'm astonished that you could even consider giving up a scholarship, your financial circumstances must be way different from those of most students! As regards the reputations of these universities, there nothing to choose between them. So you might want to make your choice on the basis of which subject you prefer, or how useful it might be depending on what you intend to do later in life: in which case, unless you want to make an academic career, I would guess that an MA in International Relations would be more useful to you. However, only you can decide which course you would prefer to follow independently of which university offers it.
2) For Koc you would probably want to live in Sariyer as you need to take into account public transport: at the moment the nearest metro station is still 4. Levent (on M4, which is blue on here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Istanbul_Rapid_Transit_Map.png), so you would need to take a dolmus to reach it. Bus 40 goes from Sariyer to Taksim (Sariyer-Tarabya-Emirgan-Bebek-Ortaköy-Besiktas-Taksim), so maybe somewhere along its route would be handy - but of course, it depends on what you can find.

Hello,

Koc is better than Bilgi according to my opinion.If I will be in your position,I will definitely select Koc instead of studying Bilgi. About the answer of your second question; you have find place so called around SARIYER region of Istanbul which is very close to Koc's campus.

Hi Joseph,
I think,first of all your question may be as follows.."would I choose MA. in International Relation or MA. in History"??
And If I would be you,and if I have only two options..definitely,I choose Intl.Relations program.Why?? because.It can be more efficient for your future career,instead of to study on "Turkish&Ottoman cultural&Intellectual history or political thoughts of Ottoman Empire and Republican periods,etc".I am sure that Intl.relations program at KOC university will shape you successfuly with their traditional KOC dicipline:)You'll be more creative and critical thinker:)
Intl.relations MA.program has very well organized training packages,significant programs and objectives..economy,European integration,World politics,Intl.law,Intl.conflict&security,Turkish economy,US-Turkish relations,Political economy,history of ideologies,etc.
other main points are the quality of educational establishment and the quality of the Tutors..!! Koc Uni. can take all points,no doubt!!
Koc university offers you huge diversity,and I know most of tutors which all are great educators and thinkers..Prof.Fuat Keyman,Prof.Ziya Onis,Prof.Caner Bakir..You never be regretful!! They'll provide you "world class education"
About location;sure you should live in Sariyer(a town) or near to.Sariyer is the best and elite part of Bosphorus.The population is just 277000,very quite place,no heavy traffic,She has the best views of the city,tasty fishes,restaurants and cafes of Istanbul.You'll enjoy to live in Sariyer.
Hoping to make your right decision:)
brgds.

Turco Joe, My younger son graduated from the Faculty of International Relations of Bilkent Uni in Ankara. He wrote his masters degree on Turkish EU relations at Ankara Uni. Now he is an doctorate asisstant in the Intitute of Ataturk Principles and Reforms of Hacettepe Uni in Ankara. He speeks english and german If you need any cooperation he would be delighted.

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for providing me with very useful information!

Regards,

Joe

have you had a look to Sabanci University? It is also one of the best. I am doing my post-doc there..

have fun.