updated on: 07/01/2016
Maltepe University
Free in Mind, Modern in Science
HANDBOOK FOR
INCOMING STUDENTS
Table of contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 General information
1.1 Turkey
1.1.1 Geography and Climate
1.1.2 Ataturk
1.1.3 Religion
1.1.4 Money
1.1.5 Working Hours
1.1.6 Holidays
1.1.7 Summer Hours
1.1.8 Language
1.2 Istanbul
1.2.1 Transport in Istanbul
1.2.2 Personal Security Precautions
1.2.3 Polish Consulate in Istanbul
1.2.4 Residence Permit (Ikamet)
1.2.5 Good to know
1.2.6 Mosques
1.2.7 Women
1.2.8 Useful links
Chapter 2 Maltepe University in brief
2. Maltepe University
2.1 International Office
2.2 Erasmus Club of Maltepe University
2.3 Academic Calendar
2.4 Language of Education
2.5 Faculties and courses offered in English
2.6 Grading Scale
2.7 The Campus
2.7.1 Dormitories
2.7.1.1. Laundry
2.7.2 Main Library
2.7.3 Banking, shopping and eating
2.7.4 Sport Facilities
2.7.5 Medical care
2.7.6 Transportation
Chapter 3 Documents and procedures
Handbook prepared by International Relations Office of Maltepe Ubiversity in November 2008
Photographs by Wojciech Ciemniewski
Information based on MyMerhaba.com, Lonely Planet & TimeOut Istanbul
Welcome to Maltepe University!
We are pleased that you have chosen Istanbul and Maltepe University to have your study abroad experience!
Maltepe University, an inter-disciplinary university founded in 1997, has a lot to offer you: many disciplines are represented at our institution. Although not everything is offered in English, we will try to find a suitable program for you. We hope our institution will inspire and motivate you to make your international study period worthwhile.
Istanbul is a unique and fascinating city with its history and amazing sites. Attractions, festivals, concerts, theatre performances and events take place the whole year round. It has a wide range of museums, cafés, restaurants and other places of entertainment.
We hope the information in this handbook will answer some of your questions, as well as support you with the practical side of preparing your study abroad. If you have any suggestions, comments, etc., please contact Mrs. Safiye Arlı , Işıl Altay or Mr. Gökhan Bakar;
We wish you a very exciting and fruitful stay in Istanbul!
Assist. Prof. Dr. Salvatore Scifo (Ms.)
International Office Institutional Coordinator
Exchange Programmes Institutional Coordinator
e-mail:
Tel: +90-216-6261050 ext.2483
Mr. Gökhan Bakar
International Office Coordinator
Exchange Programmes Office Coordinator
Outgoing Exchange Student Advisor
Bilateral Agreement Specialist
e-mail:
Tel: +90-216-626 1050 x.2589
Mrs Işıl Altay
International Office Specialist
Incoming Erasmus Exchange Students Advisor
Erasmus + Programme incoming Staff Mobility Advisor
Erasmus + Programme outgoing Staff Mobility Advisor
Maltepe University
International Office
Marmara Eğitim Köyü
34857 Maltepe- İstanbul
Tel: +90-216-6261135
Fax: +90-216-6261134
Chapter 1 General Information
1.1 Republic of Turkey (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti)
1.1.1 Geography and Climate
Turkey is located halfway between the Pole and Equator, and lies like a natural bridge between Asia and Europe. The European part of the country is called Thrace, while the Asian part is known as Anatolia (or Minor Asia). The country is bordered in the north by Black Sea, in the northeast by Georgia and Armenia, in the east by Iran, in the southeast by Iraq and Syria, in the south by Mediterranean Sea, in the west by Aegean Sea and in the northwest by Greece and Bulgaria.The country is divided into 7 regions: The Black Sea, The Marmara, The Aegean, The Mediterranean, The Central Anatolian, and The Eastern and Southeastern Regions. Each region has different types of landscape, climate and fauna.
Climate by regions:
- Black Sea Coast: Warm summers, mild winters and relatively high rainfall.
- Central Anatolia: Harsh climate with hot, dry summers: cold winters
- Eastern Anatolia: Long snowy, cold winters, with mild summers.
- Southeast Anatolia: Hot summers with mild, rainy winters.
- Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts: These coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers, and mild winters
The European and Asian regions are separated by the Istanbul Boğazı (Bosphorus), the Sea of Marmara, and the Canakkale Boğazı (Dardanelles). Anatolia is a high plateau rising progressively towards the east, broken up by the valleys of about 15 rivers, including the Dicle (Tigris) and the Fırat (Euphrates).There are numerous lakes and some, such as Lake Van, are as large as inland seas. In the north, the mountains along the eastern Black Sea coast run parallel to the Sea: in the south, the Taurus Mountains sweep down almost to the narrow, fertile coastal plain. Turkey enjoys a variety of climates, ranging from the temperate climate of the Black Sea region, to the continental climate of the interior, then, to the Mediterranean climate of the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal regions. The coastline touching the four seas that border the country is 8333 km in length.
1.1.2 Ataturk
Even if you don't have any idea on Turkey history you should know or heard about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of today's secular Turkish Republic and one of the great figures of the 20th century. You must know that Turks admire Ataturk and it would probably be seen very proper to learn something about his life.
Kemal Atatürk, was born in 1881 in Thesalonniki. His education and military career were so successfull that during the First World War he became a general and pasa. During fights he masterminded defence of Gallipoli Penisula against threatening invasion. In few years defeated Greeks, turned down the Ottoman Empire and became the first president of proclamed Republic of Turkey. During his presidency he did many reforms and turned Turkey to european direction. He introduced plenty of law and social reforms, including changes in alphabeth, callendar, language and last names. As a modern person, he was in favour of equality of man and women and western fashion. He died on 10th November 1938 in Dolmarbahce in Istanbul. His body was buried in Ankara in Anitkabir Mausoleum. Howewer, his ideas and glory are still alive among the nation.
1.1.3 Religion
99% of the Turkish population is Muslim. However, by constitution, everyone in Turkey has freedom of religion and beliefs. In Turkey you will findCatholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Armenian churches as well as Synagoguesand everyone is free to practice the religion of his chice. Istanbul has many areas where people of very different religions have lived side-by-side for centuries with theirpractices and customsand continue to do so.
Again, it is necessary to add that Turks have a personal way of following Islam when compared to most Muslim people. Ramazan is the holy month when for thirty days a goodMuslimlets nothing pass through his or her lips from sunrise to sunset. This means no eating, drinking, smoking, chewing gum. Swearing is also prohibited. The idea is to live as purely, peacefully, correctly as possible and to respect yourself and your neighbors, while being thankful for all that one has. Do not be surprised to find your favorite little restaurant closed during the Ramazan.
1.1.4 Money
The national monetary unit is the Turkish Lira (TL). The exchange rates for foreign currencies are published daily in exchange offices or banks. For updated information, please go to Turkish Central Bank website. You may exchange travellers' checks at Post Offices in some tourist places. Eurochecks can be cashed immediately as can travellers checks upon producing identification. The most widely accepted cards are: Visa and MasterCard, American Express, Eurocard and Diner's Club. Exchange offices are calledDöviz Burosuand are widely available in touristy places. They are generally open until midnight. Please mind that it sometimes happens to get a fake money, especially in bazaars and tourist places.
1.1.5 Working Hours
Government Offices / 8.30 to 12.30, 13.30 to 17.30 (Closed Saturday and Sunday)Banks / 9.00 to 12.30, 13.30 to 17.00 (Closed Saturday and Sunday)
Shops / 9.30 to 19.00 (closed on Sunday)
Covered Bazaar / 8.00 to 19.00 (closed on Sunday)
Shopping Malls / 10.00 to 22.00 / 23.00 (everyday)
1.1.5 Holidays
January 1 / New Year's DayApril 23 / National Independence and Children Day
May 19 / Ataturk Commemoration and Youth and Sports Day
August 30 / Victory Day (final out of invading forces in 1922)
October 29 / National Day (Anniversary of the declaration of the Turkish Republic)
Since religious holidays are set by the Islamic calendar, the days vary each year.
17,18,19 July 2015 / Ramazan Bayramı24,25,26,27 September 2015 / Kurban Bayramı
On the first day of Şeker and Kurban religious holidays all shops and bazaars are closed. (The Ramazan BayramıandKurban Bayramıare 3 days and 4 days long respectively)
1.1.6 Summer Hours
Local time = GMT + 2hrs In the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Turkey, government offices and many other establishments are closed in the afternoon during the summer months. The provincial governors fix these summer hours each year.
1.1.7 Language
The Turkish language belongs to the Ural-Altaic group and has an affinity with the Finno-Hungarian languages. Turkish is written in the Latin alphabet and is spoken by about 150 million people around the world.
The language is very phonetic and is read exactly the way it is written. Do not give up, for once you get the hang of the verb conjugations and learn how to pronounce a clean "softened g" in a word, you're on your way to chatting yourself silly! Turkish is very easy to read since it is read as written. If you know the sounds of the letters you can read but not understand!
For learning basics of Turkish in fun and enjoyable way we recommend you to visit a website for learning languages named Busuu. Busuu is a free online community where users act as both student and tutor, correcting one another's work. They can converse via a chat-window, an audio connection, or a webcam connection. There is also a smart phone application which will help you to memorise words.
Hello: Merhaba / 1 Bir / 11 Onbir / 30 Otuz
Goodbye: Hoşçakal (said by the person leaving) / 2 İki / 12 Oniki / 40 Kırk
Güle güle (said by the staying) / 3 Üç / 13 Onüç / 50 Elli
Good Morning: Günaydın / 4 Dört / 14 Ondört / 60 Altmış
Good Evening: Iyi akşamlar / 5 Beş / 15 Onbeş / 70 Yetmiş
Good Night: İyi geceler / 6 Altı / 16 Onaltı / 80 Seksen
How are you?: Nasılsınız? / 7 Yedi / 17 Onyedi / 90 Doksan
I am OK: İyiyim / 8 Sekiz / 18 Onsekiz / 100 Yüz
Yes: Evet / 9 Dokuz / 19 Ondokuz / 200 Ikiyüz
No: Hayır / 10 On / 20 Yirmi / 1.000 Bin
Please: Lütfen
Thank you: Teşekkürler/ Sagol / Mersi
There is: Var
There is not: Yok
Expressions of Time / Days of the Week / Shopping / Travel Terms
When?: Ne zaman? / Monday: Pazartesi / Shopping Centre: Çarşı / Airport: Hava alanı
Yesterday: Dün / Tuesday: Salı / Grocery store: Supermarket / Port: Liman
Today: Bugün / Wednesday: Çarşamba / Pharmacy: Eczane / Town Centre: Şehir merkezi
Tomorrow: Yarın / Thursday: Perşembe / How much is this?: Bu ne kadar? / Where is it?: Nerede?
Morning: Sabah / Friday: Cuma / It is expensive: Bu pahalı / Is it far?: Uzak mı?
Afternoon: Ögleden sonra / Saturday: Cumartesi / It is cheap: Bu ucuz / Be careful!: Dikkat!
Evening: Akşam / Sunday: Pazar / I like it: Beğendim / Help: Imdat!
Night: Gece / I don't like it: Beğenmedim / Tourism Bureau: Turizm bürosu
One hour: Bir saat / Very nice: Çok güzel / A good hotel: İyi bir otel
What is the time?: Saat kaç? / Please: Lütfen / A restaurant: Bir lokanta
At what time?: Saat kaçta? / Bank: Banka / Hospital: Hastahane
Hotel & Restaurant / Wine: Şarap / Milk: Süt
A room: Bir oda / Beer: Bira / Tea: Çay
Bed: Yatak / Ice: Buz / Coffee: Kahve
Bathroom/ Restroom: Banyo / Bread: Ekmek / Sugar: Seker
Toilet: Tuvalet/WC / Rice: Pilav / Breakfast: Kahvaltı
Two people: Iki kişi / Chicken: Piliç/ Tavuk
The bill: Hesap / Fish: Balık / Online Dictionary (Tur-Eng & Eng-Tur)
Water: Su / Meat: Et / www.zargan.com
Mineral Water: Maden suyu / Mutton: Koyun eti / www.sozluk.web.tr
Fruit juice: Meyva suyu / Lamb: Kuzu eti
1.2 Istanbul in brief
Istanbul has been a very important city for centuries not only for the beauty of Bosphorus but also for its geographical and strategic location. Below you can find the most useful information covering
1.2.1 Transportation in Istanbul
Istanbul, covering a huge area is an incredibly crowded and complicated town. Inner city transportation is one of the biggest problems. It does not matter whether you have a car or not. If you don't know your destination it's very easy to get lost. Don't be confused! Once you learn to deal with the town's “unwritten rules” you'll have great pleasure. With the lack of an elaborated city plan Istanbul changes face quite fast. The city offers many traffic challenges to its citizens.
Public transportation in Istanbul varies greatly. Municipality busses, public busses, inner city and general ships, car ferries, the tunnel, metro and suburban train systems all vary in price and have either tokens or ticket fares to pay. It is essential that you obtain an "Akbil", a smart ticket key.
Akbil
Akbil, means smart ticket. An Akbil comes in different colors and has a refillable battery on the end of a plastic key. It is possible to buy your Akbil at major bus stops for about 6 TL and have it filled to the amount you desire. There are Akbil filling stations around all major bus stops, ports and Tunel. Your Akbil is valid on all busses, ships, sea busses, metro and tunnel systems. It gets you different discounts from 10-25% on all transport listed above. To get a discount card (Indirimli Tasima Karti) go on the web site http://skart.iett.gov.tr/Eng/Default.aspx and take an appointment to the nearest application center. Then go to the chosen place with your valid student ID, Ikamet (Residence Permit), document from our university confirming that you are a student, 2 photographs (showing front view of your face) and 10 TL. Usually it’s done in 1 hour.