Exchange Report

Koç University was among the universities that sent the preparation information relatively late, although still sufficiently in advance. Since Türkiye is not part of the EU, some administrative procedures are slightly more complex. One important step that can already be handled in Austria is arranging health insurance. Austria has an agreement with Türkiye, which allows Austrian citizens with public health insurance to receive coverage in Türkiye as well. In my case, I had to request a certificate from my insurance provider (BVAEB) confirming my period of stay during Erasmus and submit it to the Public Health Office in Istanbul. Koç University provides detailed guidance on this process after arrival. Since I travelled to Istanbul by plane, I booked my flights in advance. I highly recommend using the Turkish Airlines student discount, which offers very affordable fares and generous baggage allowances. It is also advisable to check the course catalogue at Koç as early as possible once it is published. Previous semesters can also give a good indication of the courses offered. I recommend choosing as many electives as possible, as courses at Koç usually account for more ECTS credits than at WU. Regarding accommodation, it is never too early to start searching. I personally found my apartment about one and a half months before arriving in Istanbul. Finally, I also checked the recommended vaccinations, such as rabies and typhoid, before departure.

I started looking for accommodation about three months before my arrival. After checking Airbnb, Facebook groups, and asking previous exchange students, I found that Airbnb was generally too expensive. Eventually, I discovered “Erasmus Houses Istanbul” through Google and decided to book an apartment there after a very positive exchange with the owner via WhatsApp. The apartment was originally designed for seven people, but I was lucky to share it only with one other exchange student. This made the living situation very comfortable, as the apartment would have been quite crowded with more people. The apartment was clean and looked exactly like in the pictures. The only downside was that the owner was stricter in person than expected, especially regarding rules for visitors. With €600 per month, my apartment was among the more expensive options, but I had a large terrace and considered it worth the price. Some friends paid around €450–500, while Airbnb options were often significantly more expensive. The apartment was located in Osmanbey, which I highly recommend due to its central location, safety, and excellent connection via the M2 metro line. The commute to Koç University took around one hour, and many central areas, such as Galata Tower, were easily reachable.

Koç University’s campus is located far outside the city centre, with a commute of around 1.5 hours. Therefore, I would strongly recommend living in the city centre rather than on campus. Since I only had classes two days per week, this was not an issue for me, and many students living on campus mentioned that they missed out on activities in Istanbul due to the distance. The campus itself is beautiful, located on a hill with a view of the sea, and the facilities are excellent. However, compared to WU Vienna, the campus felt rather quiet and less lively, with a more sterile atmosphere. I mainly used the cafés, the affordable but rather average canteen (around €2.5 per meal), and the swimming pool, which was located near the dormitories and was a great facility. Unfortunately, the pool was closed due to technical issues from April onwards. The university also offers a private shuttle from the metro station, which is the easiest way to reach campus. It costs around €1–2 and takes about 20 minutes. Public busses are another option. The library was modern and comfortable, although I personally did not use it much. Regarding courses, I would highly recommend taking classes with Eşref Ünsal, who was one of the best professors I had. His classes were very interactive and felt more like open discussions than traditional lectures. One major difference compared to WU Vienna was the higher level of hierarchy between students and professors. Students at Koç generally showed more respect and were less likely to openly challenge professors. While this created a respectful atmosphere, I felt that it sometimes limited discussions, especially in opinion-based courses. Compared to Vienna, the teaching environment felt less casual and students were less encouraged to openly disagree with professors.

Studienbeihilfe Auslandslandsbeihilfe

Everyday life in Istanbul differs significantly from Vienna, mainly because many things are less easily accessible. Public transport, however, is a major advantage: it is efficient and very affordable. As a student, I had a transport card that cost around €10 per month and allowed me to travel throughout the city, including trips to the nearby islands. The metro and boats are the most reliable forms of transport, while buses are often affected by Istanbul’s heavy traffic. Therefore, I would strongly recommend living close to a metro line. Regarding sports facilities, I found it difficult to engage in swimming, as public swimming pools are very limited. The only alternatives I found were private fitness centres with high membership fees, which did not seem worthwhile just for using the pool. For leisure activities, Istanbul offers an incredible amount of possibilities. Especially in terms of culture, four months are not enough to explore all museums, historical sites, and galleries. The food scene is another highlight, with a huge variety of delicious and affordable options compared to Austria. There are also many events happening in the city, although you usually have to find them yourself through social media or local event websites, as Koç University does not organize many activities in the city due to its location. Istanbul also has a very active nightlife scene. While there are many clubs for different tastes, I personally preferred the city’s lively bar culture and rooftop terraces. Regarding safety (from a male perspective), I always felt very comfortable in Istanbul. The streets are usually crowded, and police presence is noticeable. From my personal experience and from conversations with female friends, the city generally felt safe, although experiences may differ depending on the person and situation.

My exchange semester in Istanbul was one of the most exciting experiences of my life, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in a vibrant, colorful, and dynamic city. Istanbul offers countless cultural experiences, great food, and a unique atmosphere, especially for those interested in Turkish culture and a more chaotic lifestyle. However, students seeking strong academic stimulation and high-quality courses might be disappointed, as the academic level at Koç University does not fully match that of Vienna. Overall, Istanbul is an excellent destination for a cultural and personal experience rather than an academically focused exchange.