NSLI-Y 2025 Turkey – Week 6
Our final week in Bursa went by in the blink of an eye. Even the return of hotter weather couldn’t dampen the students’ enthusiasm for making the most of every last opportunity to enjoy their time in Türkiye (although we did finally get some very welcome downpours on Wednesday and Thursday).
Students were able to enjoy a folk dance class on Tuesday and a trip to the Archaeology Museum on Wednesday before delivering their Culminating Project presentations on Thursday. The week was capped off by a farewell dinner on Friday night, where students and host families alike could celebrate the program success and say their goodbyes. When the bus finally pulled out of Bursa on Saturday afternoon, there was hardly a dry eye to be seen.
The most common way to say goodbye in Turkish really means “We will see each other again.” Until then, Görüşürüz!
Inci Hoca looks over Puru’s work in the final week of class.
Students and their Turkish siblings were able to take a dance class. The folk dances came in handy for our farewell dinner on Friday.
Puru and other students enjoyed engaging with Turkish students who have been learning English at the language school.
Sanya, Hailey, and Hailey’s host sister explore the Archaeology Museum.
Henley works with her host sister Beren during the final language partner activity.
Kaitlyn teaches language partner Ekin some English proverbs (and learns Turkish ones) during the language activity.
Norah and Sanya welcome the rain outside of the Archaeology Museum.
Andrew and Griffin enjoy some of their final Turkish baklava while in transit.
Griffin, Andrew, Saira, and Saira’s host sister Melisa hang out at Griffin’s host brother Emre’s sport match.
Hankyu delivers his presentation for the Culminating Project. His topic was a hit: Turkish desserts!
Yeliz Hoca’s class at the farewell dinner: Caroline, Kahina, Saira, Yeliz Hoca, Hailey, Sanya; front row: Hankyu (not pictured: Christian)
Turkish peer Berkay and Kaitlyn sign individual farewell cards that Hailey designed for each student and host sibling.
We couldn’t do this program without the gracious hospitality of our Turkish host families. During the program, the Resident Director and Local Program Coordinator enjoyed visiting each of the families at home. During their visits, they always take a family photo with whoever is present. To close this blog, we would like to share these photos with you. As many students will tell you, even after only six weeks, it feels like they now have a Turkish family too!
Andrew (second from the right) and his host family.
Christian (center) and his host family.
Caroline (center) and her host family.
Griffin (second from the left) and his host family.
Hailey (right) and her host family.
Hankyu (second from the right) and his host family.
Henley (right) and her host family.
Kaitlyn (center) and her host family.
Kahina (second from the left) and her host family.
Norah (second from the right) and her host family.
Sanya (second from the left) and her host family.
Saira (second from right) and her host family.
Puru (center) and his host family.