Yale in Turkiye

On July 17, 2010, the AYAIstanbul Club will greet a delegation of Yale Ambassadors with "Hos Geldiniz" ("Welcome") as we land in Istanbul for our mission to work with universities throughout Turkey.

Thanks to the amazing efforts of AYAIstanbul and Yale alumni leaders based in Istanbul, although still in the planning stages, our itinerary incorporates the full range of opportunities for working with the universities, sightseeing in this ancient land and learning about the culture of the country.

Our delegation of Yale alumni leaders will have the opportunity to share their unique sense of school loyalty and commitment - and to share our knowledge and experience in alumni relations - with the faculty, staff and alumni of the universities in Turkey. We expect a contingent from the U.S. of over 50 alumni, family and friends.

When visiting the universities, if you have volunteered for Yale, you may be asked to sit on a panel with fellow Yale alumni or participate in other ways to share your experiences of volunteering at Yale - experiences such as reunions, class dinners, mini-reunions, club activities, AYA Assemblies, AYA Board meetings, Alumni Fund programs, shared interest group activities - any and all such ways you have contributed your time and talent.

The universities have offered to share with us the rich history and culture of the Anatolian peninsula (also called Asia Minor), comprising most of modern Turkey. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in the world due to its location at the intersection of Asia and Europe. The culture of the country reflects its transcontinental location as well as its long and illustrious history.

Here are a few of the highlights of the program. We will:

Be hosted by 4 prestigious universities in Istanbul including Bogaziçi University, founded as the first American school outside the U.S. and one of the most prominent educational institutions in Turkey, Istanbul University, founded in 1453, Sabancı University, the only college in Turkey that offers a liberal arts undergraduate curriculum, and Bahçeşehir University founded by a private foundation in 1998 for alumni relations sessions and shared friendship dinners

Visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace and other sites in Istanbul.

Visit Catalhoyuk, the site of a Neolithic settlement where there is ongoing excavation.

Spend time in Cappadocia, a city with a unique landscape where erosion of volcanic ashes has created amazing looking cones and other formations. Volcanic rocks are permeated with churches decorated with beautiful frescoes. We will visit Goreme Open Air Museum and an “underground city” and stay in a cave hotel.

Work with Bilkent University in Ankara. Bilkent has over 10,000 students with foreign students from 72 countries. With funds from the endowments provided by the founder, the university each year awards full scholarships to over 2,500 students of high academic achievement.

Visit the world-renowned Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara.

Work with Yasar University in Izmir. Yasar will host a special dinner for us as we take a cruise in the Izmir Bay.

Visit the ruins of Ephesus, an important city of the 1st century visited by St. Paul, and the subject of Paul’s New Testament Letter to the Ephesians.

Join the delegation at a spectacular farewell dinner overlooking the Bosphorous as we celebrate the program for a last night in Istanbul.

Because of the affordability of this two week program ($3,400 per person for 15 days with a discount to $3,000 for children under 13 or a third person in the room) and its remarkable opportunities, you may want to bring spouses, significant others, and children ‑ all are invited. We will be making this a spouse, significant other, and children friendly experience with special activities for them!

In this alumni exchange we have the opportunity to transform the scope and breadth of alumni collaborations, and to share our gifts with the rest of the world. Please consider joining us – and helping us lead ‑ this historic exchange.