My overall impression of Istanbul is absolutely magical. It is a huge city full of contrasts, history and life. I enjoyed the ferry ride between the European and Asian parts the most – the view of the city from the water is unforgettable. Istanbul is fascinating with its atmosphere, mosques are literally on every corner and you feel like you are walking through history. The only downside is the really heavy traffic and drivers who don't seem to know the rules of the road. And there are so many people there that sometimes you have to find a quiet place to breathe. Despite everything, the city has an irresistible charm that won me over.

I spent my internship in Istanbul – a fascinating city that is home to over 15 million people. What immediately caught my attention was the omnipresent animals – in every alley you will come across a cat or a dog, which are a natural part of city life.

I visited many beautiful and historical places. The Galata area with its monumental Galata Tower and cute shops. The Grand Bazaar is bustling and full of experienced merchants. The Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are breathtaking monuments that remind you of the city’s rich history. Ortaköy is undoubtedly one of the most photogenic places in Istanbul, while Beşiktaş offers a lively atmosphere full of bars and cafes. Taksim surprised me with its overcrowding and special energy – it is a place that you have to experience for yourself.

An unforgettable experience was the ferry ride across the Bosphorus to the quieter Asian part of the city. I liked the Kadıköy and Moda districts the most – they have a relaxed atmosphere, great cafes and nice streets to walk around.

What surprised me the most was the safety. I felt safe throughout my stay, even though I was traveling alone at times. The people were very nice, helpful and accommodating. Of course it’s good to be wary of petty theft or strange situations, but overall I was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming the city felt. Before leaving, I expected to have to be much more careful – the reality was much nicer.

If you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul during your internship, I recommend a trip to the Black Sea. The city beaches in Istanbul are not very attractive, but the Black Sea is really close and can be easily reached by public transport.

Another great tip for relaxation or sports activities are the beautiful Prince's Islands. You can easily reach the islands by ferry and they offer beautiful beaches, a peaceful environment and the possibility to cycle without cars - which is very refreshing in contrast to the busy city.

Thanks to IAESTE, we had the opportunity to take a weekend trip to ASSOS and the historic island of Gökçeada. Both places were absolutely amazing - clean beaches, beautiful nature and a relaxing atmosphere. We spent an unforgettable time on Gökçeada by the sea, away from the crowds and the hustle and bustle of the city.

During my internship, I worked at the private MEF University in Istanbul. The university provided me with a calm, modernly equipped and very friendly environment, in which I felt really comfortable. The atmosphere at the university was open and welcoming - every time I met the staff of the study department or even the rector himself, they were interested in how I was and if everything was okay.

I was very pleased with this approach and it contributed to the fact that I felt welcome and respected at the university. MEF University definitely comes across as an institution that values ​​its students and guests, and I am glad that I could be a part of it.

The job description in the o-form corresponded to what I actually did during the internship. My main task was marketing market research for two Turkish companies. Every day I studied professional articles, analyzed available information and extracted relevant data, which I then used for my research.

I worked on my own laptop, but at the same time I had access to the university library and its online resources, which made my work much easier.

Overall, this experience was very interesting and beneficial for me. I believe that the knowledge and skills I gained during the internship will be applied in my future career in the field of marketing and economics.

I got a little less than originally planned, but that was because I didn’t work the whole month. The first week I had to wait for an exemption from the work permit, so that week didn’t count towards my pay. Instead of the expected 19,500 TRY, I ended up getting 17,500 TRY.

I used that amount to pay for my accommodation – 6,850 TRY per month and an additional 4,000 TRY per week. The rest of the money I spent on food, transportation, and entrance fees to attractions. I basically spent my entire paycheck during my stay, as Istanbul is a fairly expensive city.

On the other hand, I indulged in everything I wanted – when I felt like buying dinner instead of cooking at the dorm, I just bought it. I also enjoyed visiting historical sites and going on trips.

English at work was perfectly adequate. I understood everything and most people from the university spoke English very well, so communication was easy.

Outside of university and IAESTE, it was a bit more difficult. Younger people mostly spoke English, but older people had a harder time. Sometimes I had trouble understanding, but it was never a major obstacle. People really try to communicate, even if they don't speak the same language - gestures, a translator on their mobile phone or just a smile often help.

My accommodation was completely arranged by IAESTE. I lived on the ITU campus of the university in one of the girls' dormitories. The price of accommodation was 6,850 TRY per month and an additional 4,000 TRY per week. The dormitories were normally equipped, completely sufficient - there was a kitchen and laundry on each floor, which was very practical. Overall, the accommodation was comfortable and safe.

I shared a room with two other girls - one was from Turkey and studied at the university right on campus, the other was an IAESTE intern from Thailand. Most of the interns lived on campus and we girls were on the same floor, so we often met for evening chats or joint activities.

IAESTE took absolutely great care of us interns – communication before departure and during the stay was seamless. I always knew who to contact if I had a problem or a question.

Upon arrival, two lovely girls from IAESTE were waiting for me at the airport with a small welcome package, which was a very nice gesture. They immediately helped me get a public transport card and escorted me directly to the accommodation.

During the internship, we had several organized events – IAESTE created a WhatsApp group where all the events and planned events were shared. The most fun ones included a boat party, a weekend trip to ASSOS, a cultural night, a quiz night, a ceramics workshop, a football match and a trip to the Princes' Islands, where we enjoyed the beach and a bike ride.

A trip to Antalya was planned for the end of August, which I unfortunately did not manage to attend.

On the very first evening, I joined a group of other interns who immediately accepted me. Everything went smoothly and very soon I made great friends with whom I shared not only the experiences of the internship, but also my free time.

Everyone was nice, open and friendly – ​​we created a nice community of people from different corners of the world. Thanks to this, I felt like a part of something bigger and every day was enriched with new experiences, conversations and joint activities.

This international community was one of the greatest benefits of the entire internship and I am grateful to have been a part of it.

The sports life during the internship was very active and fun. We often organized football matches, volleyball or basketball evenings, which were usually held right on our campus. It was mainly about fun and spending time together – we played just for fun, without competitive pressure, which suited me perfectly, because I am not the competitive type.

As for culture, Istanbul is a cultural experience in itself. The city is full of historical monuments, mosques, museums and traditional markets. Thanks to IAESTE, we also participated in a cultural night, where we could get to know the customs and cuisine of other countries. During my stay, I had the opportunity to taste Turkish specialties, visit local cafes, watch street art and get to know the daily life of the locals.

Overall, I perceived culture not only through the monuments, but also through the people, food, music and atmosphere of the city – Istanbul is really rich and inspiring in this respect.

During my internship, I had the opportunity to taste a number of Turkish specialties. One of the first dishes I tried was a Turkish pizza called Lahmacun – a thin dough with tomato mixture, drizzled with lemon, which is often rolled up and eaten as a wrap.

Another unforgettable delicacy was a fried meatball, Köfte – Turkish meatballs, which are served in various ways. One evening, my friend and I went for a Fish wrap, which was a nice change and a great combination of flavors.

Of course, I also tasted the classic Turkish kebab in a tortilla with chicken, burek filled with cheese or spinach, and savory pita, which I fell in love with.

Of the desserts, I was most excited about the sweet Baklava – a layered dough with nuts and syrup, which is typical of Turkish cuisine. Most of the desserts were really very sweet, but since I like sweets, I didn’t mind it at all.

Sometimes I had to be careful where and what I ate – a few people in our neighborhood felt unwell after some of the food. But with a little caution, Istanbul can be enjoyed to the fullest culinary-wise.

During my stay in Turkey, I regularly communicated with other interns and IAESTE members via WhatsApp, which worked without any problems. It was also possible to use Messenger, Facebook or e-mail. Internet access was available both at the university and at the accommodation, so communication with the Czech Republic was easy and reliable.

I recommend not to worry – everything will turn out well and in the end it will be one of the best and most unforgettable summers of your life. Turks are really nice people who try to help, even if they don't speak English.

You don't have to worry about your level of English – everything can be communicated and others will usually adapt to your level. What is important is the willingness to understand each other, not perfect grammar.

Orienting yourself in Istanbul can be a bit chaotic at first, but over time you will get used to the chaos and moving around the city will be a breeze. I used Google Maps the most – not only for navigation, but also for finding connections. I also recommend downloading an offline map of Istanbul via Mapy.cz.

Overall – be open, curious and ready for adventure. Istanbul will surprise, enchant and leave you with memories that you will remember for a long time.

I recommend bringing basic kitchen equipment with you – cutlery, a cup, a bowl, a plate, a frying pan or a small pot. I didn’t have any of these, but everything can be bought locally or borrowed from other interns.

I also recommend bringing something typical of the Czech Republic that will be useful for the cultural night – for example, small sweets, a flag, a postcard or something that represents our country. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about this event in advance, so I had to improvise. But it didn’t matter – the important thing is the desire to get involved and share a piece of your culture with others.

The biggest benefit of the entire internship was the experience itself – from processing work visas, applying for a work permit exemption, to opening a bank account in a foreign country.

Communication was conducted exclusively in English, which helped me improve and gain more confidence in using the language. I had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, share my experiences and culture with them, and at the same time learn from them.

I gained valuable experience of what it is like to live on my own in a foreign country – dealing with everyday situations, navigating a new environment, and being independent.

Another great benefit was that I was able to attend a university abroad and observe how the academic environment works there. This experience broadened my horizons and I believe that I will use it in my future career and personal life.

IAESTE from Istanbul (MEF, ITU, Yıldız)took really good care of us interns. They tried to do their best for us and their support was felt throughout our stay. Communication was smooth, we always knew who to turn to, and answers came quickly and willingly.

The program was rich, well-organized and varied - from cultural events to sports evenings to weekend trips. The IAESTE members were nice, friendly and often joined us at various events, which created a pleasant atmosphere and a sense of belonging.

Thanks to their care, I felt welcome and safe, and overall I rate the cooperation with IAESTE abroad as excellent.