As a graduate student of Construction Management and Engineering, I’ve been a student at Istanbul Teknik Üniversitesi for three months now. Istanbul has approximately 45 universities, and ITÜ is considered one of the best, which is why it’s very well-respected.

Although educational quality varies per class, lecturers are usually very passionate about their expertise, and that’s incredibly contagious. The lecturers as well as my fellow students are welcoming and free-spirited. They enjoy entering into conversation and teaching foreigners about their background, often accompanied by a glass of Turkish tea.

Because of the many young people living in Istanbul, the city is constantly buzzing. Unlike in the Netherlands, people here live their lives outside. They trade, drink tea, and have discussions with the din of traffic in the background. At night, students gather at a Stratumseind-like area with tons of shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs. The street attracts nearly three million visitors every weekend. I’m still amazed at the sight every time.

Although I still have a month and a half to go and a lot left to see, the city has already made quite an impression on me. Istanbul’s magic lies in the combination of its history, size, traditions, and modern life. To me, it’s the most enchanting city I’ve ever had the pleasure to visit!