Excursions
Duke in Istanbul has several day-long trips to cultural and religious sites within Istanbul and its vicinity as an integral part of its curriculum. The spring program also includes two week-long excursions. There is one week-long excursion in the fall.
In the past, students have visited the Cappadocia region of Central Anatolia; Antioch, one of the most important ancient cities of Christianity; Urfa, the birthplace of the prophet Abraham, and some of the most important Greco-Roman sites that hold a central place in the philosophical and religious history of Asia Minor along the Aegean Coast. Among these sites are: Assos (the home of Aristotle's Academy), Troy, the Pergamom Acropolis (where the ruins of Zeus Altar are located), Ephesus and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), the House of Virgin Mary and the Basilica Of St John, Miletus (the city of the first recorded Ancient Greek Philosopher, Thales), and the Castle of St. Peter and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus in Bodrum.
Transportation for long excursions will include air travel and an air-conditioned private coach with a designated professional driver and a tourist guide. Accommodations will be in 3-star or small boutique hotels. These expenses are included in the program fees.
STUDENT VOICES
"The group excursions were the highlight of my trip. We saw amazing places, had a truly fantastic tour guide and were well provided for. They 'made' the program, for me, as I would never have been able to see even half of these on my own, nor would I have known the best way in which to do so."
- Duke in Istanbul student, Spring '09
"The excursions were so great--these experiences were incredible in educating me on the country's history, culture, people..."
- Duke in Istanbul student, Spring '11
"The excursions were the most incredible experiences of my life - we went places that I would have never been able to see, and met people who I would have never been able to meet. Our tour guide, who was with us every step of the way, was wonderful and gave us a level of understanding of the things we were seeing that we could have never achieved on our own."
- Duke in Istanbul student, Spring '11
