Carter Sun
Carter Sun - Stanford at Koç University, Istanbul
Major: Science, Technology, and Society
Minor: Economics
College year while abroad: Junior
About the photo: Me on the rooftop of the Espressolab in Sarıyer! Not only are the views overlooking the Bosphorus breathtaking, but the building itself might also be the most beautiful coffee shop I’ve been in. It’s housed in the former Old Büyükdere Pier Building, which is 170 years old!
Contact
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Q&As
Why did you choose to study abroad in Istanbul?
I chose to study in Turkey because of how unique of a place it was, with its rich history as a crossroads between the East and the West. I also wanted to study in a place so culturally different to what I was used to, where I’d be able to fully immerse myself in something totally new.
What were your expectations before you went and how did those change once you arrived in Istanbul?
I thought Istanbul would be similar to any American city, like New York City or San Francisco, but this was completely not the case. Istanbul is massive – like a bunch of cities within a city, with each one having a different feel and character. Most days after class, I would take the bus into a new part of the city, taking in the sights, trying new foods, and getting a feel for the area. Despite having done this so often, I feel like I didn’t even scratch the surface, and there’s so much left for me to explore.
What were some of the academic benefits from studying abroad in Istanbul?
One of the coolest things about the Istanbul program is that you actually get to live on and take classes at a Turkish university. While most BOSP programs are “Stanford In” programs (meaning you are taking classes with only fellow Stanford students from Stanford faculty), Turkey is a true “exchange” program, where you get to work alongside and have insightful discussions with Turkish students and professors who have diverse backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives.
What did you learn about yourself while you were studying abroad?
I learned that I can be spontaneous! I’ve always been a big planner, but life in Turkey moved so quickly. Whether it would be randomly taking a bus for 2 hours after class to explore a new pocket of Istanbul or booking a flight to a new country the night before, I found myself letting go of being glued to plans, instead being present and immersing myself in new experiences.
What was the most challenging experience you encountered and what did you learn from it?
The most challenging experience was living so far from the city. I knew this going into the program, but Koç University (where we lived/attended classes) is a ~45 min bus ride to the nearest metro station, and another ~45 min subway ride into the city center. However, some of the deepest and most interesting conversations with my friends came from these 1.5 hr commutes, and the rides eventually became second nature and part of my everyday routine. That being said – the area around Koç is also amazing! You’re close to the sea (and the most amazing Turkish breakfast place in Garipçe), and the quiet, local vibe is a nice refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
What was the biggest cultural adjustment you had to make?
The biggest cultural adjustment I had to make was how few people actually spoke English! I guess I had (somewhat ignorantly) assumed that everyone would at least speak some amount of English, but this was not true at all. Outside of the Koç University campus, there was often a large language barrier, and a lot of Google Translate was used on the trip. Everyone in my cohort ended up taking Turkish I together, which made getting around the city a bit easier (and less embarrassing).
What was your favorite part of your everyday life in Istanbul?
My favorite part of my everyday life was definitely all the stray cats and dogs everywhere. They were so friendly and would come hang out while I was studying in coffee shops, wandering around the city, or even when I was playing a volleyball match!
What was the most memorable experience you had while you were in Istanbul?
The most memorable experience I had was cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 20 of our Turkish friends and mentors. I remember running to every grocery store nearby the night before, looking for turkey (surprisingly hard to find in Turkey) and a bunch of other niche American ingredients, not having considered that Turkish people probably don’t regularly eat cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes. Cooking with my cohort and our Turkish friends was so fun, the food was delicious, and it was so cool to share a bit of home with the people who had welcomed us into theirs.
What 5 words would you use to describe your experience?
Adventurous, silly, spontaneous, magical, and family.
What was your favorite food or music?
My favorite food was definitely the tavuk porsiyon at Naz BBQ. Me and my friend Tyler probably ordered it at least three times a week – so often that we became regulars. This restaurant was also the place we had our first meal as a cohort in Turkey (where nobody yet knew how to speak Turkish, so ordering was embarrassingly difficult) so it holds a special place in my heart. Anybody who studies abroad in Turkey MUST get this at Naz, no questions asked.
What was the most valuable item you took with you on the program?
The most valuable item I took was my volleyball shoes. I ended up trying out and making the Koç University volleyball team, where I got to go to practice and play matches against other local schools. Besides getting to explore other schools outside of Koç and form close ties with my teammates, playing on the team also allowed me to pick up bits of Turkish pretty quickly (including some Turkish smack talk!). I really cherished playing on a team with local students, as bonding over something we collectively loved allowed me to reach a level of cultural immersion I never would have imagined.