Turkey is situated between Asia and Europe, making it a unique melting pot of diverse cultures. Because of its rich history, the country has a lot to offer! :) During the summer, you can expect warm, sunny weather.

The population of Istanbul is over 15 million, making it a massive city. Fortunately, in the last decade, they’ve built many metro lines, so you can get around comfortably, though it can take some time and it is crowded. It's common for people to commute for more than an hour to work or meet friends. Istanbul has a rich history, and its cuisine is brilliant.

Although my friends and family were a bit concerned, I felt really safe in the city as a woman. I could also wear the fashion I’m used to at home.

Even though not many people speak English, the locals are very open-minded towards foreigners and always willing to help. Compared to our Czech culture, they are more relaxed, easygoing, and more open to making friendships.

One downside is that the price of alcohol is quite high. For example, a beer in a restaurant costs approximately 130 CZK. On the other hand, a pack of cigarettes costs about 30 CZK. This is why smoking is very common here, and it’s not unusual to see people smoking indoors, including in pubs and even offices. Also, the tap water is not recommended for drinking, so be prepared to buy bottled water regularly.

One extremely nice and cute thing—if you're a cat person, you'll love Istanbul. Cats are everywhere! The locals treat them with great respect and care, so the cats love hanging around people. You can always find one to pet.

Istanbul has so much to offer that I didn’t feel much need to travel elsewhere. After spending two months here, I still feel like I haven’t explored everything. One thing that surprised me, though, is that there aren’t many beaches in Istanbul. You have to take a ferry to nearby islands or a bus to the Black Sea for a beach day.

Possible trips you can take include visiting Izmir and Ephesus, or even Cappadocia, although that’s a bit further away.

I was very lucky with my employer. Half of the people spoke English, and the other half made an effort. :) They always tried to make me feel included and welcomed. Throughout the summer, my coworker Ilayda was there for me, helping with everything. It was easy to communicate, and if I needed something, they were always open to helping out.

I worked in the sales department. My main tasks were to find potential customers and do market research. I also analyzed sales data and made charts. They also asked me to make cold calls to potential Czech and Slovak companies.

I also researched new products that the company could add to its portfolio. I did some mystery shopping and provided detailed analysis of a few products.

My contract stated a salary of 14,000 TL per month. However, after I arrived, we agreed on 20,000 TL per month because inflation had made a huge difference over the year.

Unfortunately, for this type of work, you need to be really comfortable with spoken English; otherwise, you might feel lost and unhelpful.

In my opinion, it's also a big plus and much easier if you learn some basic Turkish before you arrive. I started learning Turkish on Duolingo a few months before my internship, and it really helped me connect with coworkers who didn’t speak English. Simple words like 'hi,' 'good morning,' 'how are you,' and 'thank you' are very useful.

People are more likely to approach you on the street (maybe because I looked a bit Turkish), so the phrase 'I do not speak Turkish, I speak English' was very helpful. Also, basic Turkish vocabulary is needed in grocery stores. But don’t be afraid of making mistakes. The locals will really appreciate that you’re trying!

Usually, all the ITU interns live in dorms on the ITU campus (which is a beautiful place—don’t miss the opportunity to visit it!). Unfortunately, this year, the campus dorms were under renovation, so we were scattered all over the city. For the first month, I lived in a private girls' dormitory, which was literally a 2-minute walk from my workplace. The dorm was clean, new, and included breakfast and regular cleaning. However, it was far from the city center and other interns. If I wanted to hang out with others on the European side, it would take me 1-2 hours to get there, depending on traffic. I was also working in Atasehir, and on weekdays, the metro stopped running to that area after midnight. There was a curfew that required me to be back at the dormitory by midnight anyway. Additionally, I was paying 250 EUR per month for a shared room with three roommates, which was quite expensive.

For the second month, I decided to find something different. I searched in a Facebook group called Erasmus Istanbul 2024/2025, where many landlords offer rooms to rent to Erasmus students, leaving a lot of rooms empty during the summer. I contacted a few of them and found a private room in the center of Kadikoy for the same price as the shared room in Atasehir. If living on the ITU campus with other interns isn’t an option, I highly recommend connecting with other interns from different committees working nearby before the summer and finding a place together from the start, instead of staying alone in a private dorm.

I am so grateful for Mustafa and Mete, who picked me up at the airport! They were the best. They helped me with everything—explaining how public transport works, helping me exchange money, getting me to the dorm, showing me where my workplace was, and from day one, organizing hangouts. Both of them were available 24/7 on WhatsApp, always ready to help us out!

Overall, all the committees were very active. Every weekend, there was an option to join some activity, especially at the beginning of the summer, when they organized city tours to show us all the history. If any intern had an idea or wanted to see something, the Turkish guys always gave advice and helped us make it happen.

During the workweek, there was always something going on—whether it was a night out at a pub or just chilling on the coast. So, if you’re social, Istanbul is definitely the place for you. But if you prefer exploring on your own, that’s okay too—no one is forcing you to participate.

I loved the people I spent this summer with exploring Istanbul. This year, there were around 20-30 of us, so you’re bound to find someone who shares your interests.

If you don’t find your crowd among them, don’t worry—since Istanbul is a huge and touristy city, there are plenty of other ways to meet people. Couchsurfing meetups work really well, for example. For girls, a safer option is the 'Host a Sister' Facebook group, where you can meet new female friends.

Istanbul is a great place for long walks if you don’t mind the hot weather. During the summer, the IAESTE group organized a few sports events for us, like football and volleyball matches—but be prepared for them to happen later in the evening due to the heat.

Culturally, I definitely recommend trying a Hamam, the Turkish bath, and visiting all the historical sites. Just make sure you have your ISIC card with you! The student discounts are significant—sometimes there’s even a difference of 1,000 TL between the student and regular entrance fees. For girls, I recommend bringing your own scarf to cover your hair when visiting mosques. They always have something to lend you at the entrance, but it’s more comfortable to have your own.

Just stick with your Turkish buddies, and they’ll show you and explain everything!

Food is a chapter of its own—it's brilliant. You definitely won’t find pork, but lamb is more common here than in Europe. Be prepared that if you want to fully experience Istanbul, you might gain a little weight. Drinking hot black tea and strong black coffee is also a big part of the culture.

Just enjoy it, and definitely avoid the mistake of arguing with the locals about the origin of certain foods—they are very proud of their cuisine!

No problem at all—there’s excellent internet connection everywhere. I often used the ferry ride to call back home, making my commuting time more efficient.

Be patient with all the paperwork related to the internship, especially if Ramadan falls during that time. Just accept and respect that things won’t move faster during this period—people in Turkey won’t be rushing things at this time of the year. Also, be patient with the IAESTE team during exam periods—they’re just students helping us in their free time, without compensation. Issuing the visa also took longer than expected, so make sure to complete your part of the paperwork as early as possible.

Don’t bother packing warm clothes if you’re coming here for the summer. Even if you use antiperspirant, you’ll sweat a lot. Pack clothes that are comfortable in hot weather. Carrying a small perfume is a must.

It’s definitely a good idea to learn some basic Turkish in advance. Some workplaces expect you to use your own computer for work, so don’t be surprised by that.

Consider buying an e-SIM card in advance. When I arrived at Sabiha Airport, I had trouble finding Wi-Fi, and some interns had a hard time connecting with their Turkish buddies after arrival. I used Revolut's data plan—it might not be the cheapest option, but it worked perfectly for me.

Don’t forget to bring some gifts for your colleagues and friends. There’s also a tradition of organizing an International Night, where all the interns share something from their cuisine—so think about what you want to cook. If you need specific ingredients, bring them with you, and don’t forget to pack some sweets as well.

And remember, these IAESTE internships are mainly about having fun, making friends, and connecting with international students. Don’t expect to gain huge professional career skills or earning good money—it’s more about getting to know yourself and learning to adjust to a new enviroment.

Pack clothes suited for hot weather, your ISIC card, gifts for friends and coworkers, and traditional sweets from your country.

When applying for a work visa in the Czech Republic, don’t forget to bring 80 EUR in cash (this might change next year, so check ahead!), and along with all the required papers, don’t forget a printed copy of your birth certificate!

It wasn’t my first time experiencing summer abroad, but it was my first time living in a country where I didn’t know the language at all. It was a unique experience. I realized how challenging it might be for foreign students in the Czech Republic, especially because of the language barrier.

I learned a lot about myself—I had to be more independent and take care of myself. The situation pushed me to go out and make new friends. I learned how to adapt to a new place and settle in. I also met many students from all over the world and formed a few strong friendships with locals.

If you come to an internship like this with an open mind and a willingness to learn, you’ll grow a lot as a person. But don’t expect huge professional skill progress or to become rich—these internships are more about personal growth and cultural exchange.

Before the summer, I received appropriate help with the paperwork, considering that the IAESTE team was doing it for free in their free time. In the end, I arrived in Turkey on time with all the necessary documents.

During the summer, there was always someone from IAESTE available to help, and they did far more than was required in their job description. They treated us extremely well; in times of crisis, they were always there, and I truly felt like part of the community.