Comments on: Teacher Study Tours 2009 – Group 1 Istanbul http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/2009/07/10/teacher-study-tours-2009-group-1-istanbul-5/ Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:04:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Fernando M. Branch http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/2009/07/10/teacher-study-tours-2009-group-1-istanbul-5/comment-page-1/#comment-9520 Fernando M. Branch Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:28:05 +0000 http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/?p=162#comment-9520 http://turkey2009-fernando.blogspot.com/ JUNE - JULY 2009 TRIP BLOG http://turkey2009-fernando.blogspot.com/

JUNE – JULY 2009 TRIP BLOG

]]> By: Fernando M. Branch http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/2009/07/10/teacher-study-tours-2009-group-1-istanbul-5/comment-page-1/#comment-9519 Fernando M. Branch Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:26:03 +0000 http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/?p=162#comment-9519 The people, music, the food, the art & textures, the landscapes, and again the people of Turkey made this cultureal exchange the most rewarding experience one could ever have. The people, music, the food, the art & textures, the landscapes, and again the people of Turkey made this cultureal exchange the most rewarding experience one could ever have.

]]> By: Timothy Drinkwine http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/2009/07/10/teacher-study-tours-2009-group-1-istanbul-5/comment-page-1/#comment-8617 Timothy Drinkwine Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:16:52 +0000 http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/?p=162#comment-8617 I have absolutely loved my trip to Turkey!!! The knowledge gleaned from my 10 day stay in this beautiful country will, no doubt, benefit me and my community in many years to come. I am grateful for this opportunity and consider it an honor and a true privilege to have taken part!!! I have absolutely loved my trip to Turkey!!! The knowledge gleaned from my 10 day stay in this beautiful country will, no doubt, benefit me and my community in many years to come. I am grateful for this opportunity and consider it an honor and a true privilege to have taken part!!!

]]> By: Prilla Faye Watts http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/2009/07/10/teacher-study-tours-2009-group-1-istanbul-5/comment-page-1/#comment-8616 Prilla Faye Watts Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:16:08 +0000 http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/?p=162#comment-8616 What has impressed me most? Everything! I will name only a few of the standouts. Starting with Istanbul, the architecture and antiquities were astounding. The Ottoman period, the Byzantine period, the mosques Topkapı Palace were overwhelmingly beautiful. Their examples of calligraphy, mosaics and tiles, minarets, costumes and jewelry were all fine examples of these periods. No other country could compare with these unique styles. The visitations to the schools was enlightening. I loved the one in the country that showed rural curriculum and the boys who met us. The people here are so kind and loving. Their faces show something in them that elicits deep compassion for suffering and joy. All of the ruins at Ephesus and Aphrodisias especially, opened my eyes to the remarkable mixing of cultures and history that these people have shared with European history. I had not realized this before. The art, the crafts, the food, the landscapes, the architecture, the seas, the people, the long history of industry and survival, the traditions, the language, and the religion all make up a tapestry as complicated and beautiful as a Turkish carpet. I will be teaching lessons this year using my tile from Iznik. We will make shadow puppets like those we saw in Bursa. We will make pots with Turkish patterns and schema. We will do paper marbling (Ebru) as developed in Turkey. I will become an ambassador for Turkey. Orhan and Hülya have exposed me to a whole new world. What has impressed me most? Everything! I will name only a few of the standouts. Starting with Istanbul, the architecture and antiquities were astounding. The Ottoman period, the Byzantine period, the mosques Topkapı Palace were overwhelmingly beautiful. Their examples of calligraphy, mosaics and tiles, minarets, costumes and jewelry were all fine examples of these periods. No other country could compare with these unique styles. The visitations to the schools was enlightening. I loved the one in the country that showed rural curriculum and the boys who met us. The people here are so kind and loving. Their faces show something in them that elicits deep compassion for suffering and joy. All of the ruins at Ephesus and Aphrodisias especially, opened my eyes to the remarkable mixing of cultures and history that these people have shared with European history. I had not realized this before.
The art, the crafts, the food, the landscapes, the architecture, the seas, the people, the long history of industry and survival, the traditions, the language, and the religion all make up a tapestry as complicated and beautiful as a Turkish carpet. I will be teaching lessons this year using my tile from Iznik. We will make shadow puppets like those we saw in Bursa. We will make pots with Turkish patterns and schema. We will do paper marbling (Ebru) as developed in Turkey. I will become an ambassador for Turkey. Orhan and Hülya have exposed me to a whole new world.

]]> By: Peggy Fragopoulos http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/2009/07/10/teacher-study-tours-2009-group-1-istanbul-5/comment-page-1/#comment-8615 Peggy Fragopoulos Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:14:37 +0000 http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/?p=162#comment-8615 I did not realize until this opportunity presented itself that I knew so little about Turkey. Its history, its people, its customs and its direction for the future has captivated my intellect but most importantly my heart. As we visited each new locale, it became my favorite: Istanbul - one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Iznik - my eyes feast on the tradition of tile making and Bursa with the silk markets; Ephesus - a city with marble presenting itself as center of culture, religion and mosaics. Each day held new treasures to be revealed. The Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük and the churches carved into the rocks of Cappadocia encourage me to continue my education, hopefully in archaeology, because the more I know, the more I can teach. A special highlight has been the people of Turkey. Visiting area schools and seeing the smiles on the children’s faces give way for a future of promise, hope and understanding. I did not realize until this opportunity presented itself that I knew so little about Turkey. Its history, its people, its customs and its direction for the future has captivated my intellect but most importantly my heart. As we visited each new locale, it became my favorite: Istanbul – one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Iznik – my eyes feast on the tradition of tile making and Bursa with the silk markets; Ephesus – a city with marble presenting itself as center of culture, religion and mosaics. Each day held new treasures to be revealed. The Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük and the churches carved into the rocks of Cappadocia encourage me to continue my education, hopefully in archaeology, because the more I know, the more I can teach. A special highlight has been the people of Turkey. Visiting area schools and seeing the smiles on the children’s faces give way for a future of promise, hope and understanding.

]]> By: Marie Maddox http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/2009/07/10/teacher-study-tours-2009-group-1-istanbul-5/comment-page-1/#comment-8614 Marie Maddox Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:13:07 +0000 http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/?p=162#comment-8614 It was the adventure of a lifetime for me to teach school in Turkey from 2004-2009, but these months were filled with work, grading papers, lesson planning and weekend excursions with The Lonely Planet - Turkey guidebook. I realized, only after returning to the USA that I had only scratched the surface. I had not had time to really explore the history, culture and political, social and economic issues of the country. What I did learn was that the Turkish people are the most gracious and generous people I have met anywhere in the world. I knew I wanted to come back. It felt more like home than my home in the states. So the Turkish Cultural Foundation has afforded me the opportunity to explain the richness of this country - a country whose history goes back 15,000 years, whose land has been inhabited for 376 generations. Our guide Orhan, has led us to the worlds of the Hittites, the Romans, the Byzantine and Ottoman dynasty. We have talked of gods and goddesses from mythology, the journeys of the Apostle Paul, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. We have seen tile making in Iznik, carpet-making in Cappadocia and the art of ebru in Üsküdar, the silks of Bursa. We have explored Turkish music of all kinds and sampled innumerable traditional Turkish foods. Highlights for me include the wonders of Istanbul - the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the cistern and the fascinating spice bazaar; the archaeological sites of Çatalhöyük dating back to Neolithic times; the geography and natural splendor of Cappadocia and the unique beauty of Pamukkale with the blue ponds and blue sky in dramatic contrast to the white calcium deposits covering the steep slopes. Most of all I treasure my encounters with the Turkish people. Whether offering a cup of çay (tea), giving directions, helping me learn a Turkish word or phrase, allowing me to take a coveted photo, or explaining their educational system, they are genuine, caring, and gracious. I am pleased to have visited a number of schools, my favorite the village school in Enka. I am anxious to take all that I have learned back to my school and my community. As more and more people come to see Turkey as it really is rather than how the media often portrays it, relations between the two countries will improve and the relationship will be mutually beneficial. I appreciate all that Turkey is, and no more a part of me than ever before. I am happy to be an ambassador for this gem - Türkiye. Thanks to everyone who had a part in providing this experience. It was the adventure of a lifetime for me to teach school in Turkey from 2004-2009, but these months were filled with work, grading papers, lesson planning and weekend excursions with The Lonely Planet – Turkey guidebook. I realized, only after returning to the USA that I had only scratched the surface. I had not had time to really explore the history, culture and political, social and economic issues of the country. What I did learn was that the Turkish people are the most gracious and generous people I have met anywhere in the world. I knew I wanted to come back. It felt more like home than my home in the states. So the Turkish Cultural Foundation has afforded me the opportunity to explain the richness of this country – a country whose history goes back 15,000 years, whose land has been inhabited for 376 generations. Our guide Orhan, has led us to the worlds of the Hittites, the Romans, the Byzantine and Ottoman dynasty. We have talked of gods and goddesses from mythology, the journeys of the Apostle Paul, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. We have seen tile making in Iznik, carpet-making in Cappadocia and the art of ebru in Üsküdar, the silks of Bursa. We have explored Turkish music of all kinds and sampled innumerable traditional Turkish foods. Highlights for me include the wonders of Istanbul – the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the cistern and the fascinating spice bazaar; the archaeological sites of Çatalhöyük dating back to Neolithic times; the geography and natural splendor of Cappadocia and the unique beauty of Pamukkale with the blue ponds and blue sky in dramatic contrast to the white calcium deposits covering the steep slopes. Most of all I treasure my encounters with the Turkish people. Whether offering a cup of çay (tea), giving directions, helping me learn a Turkish word or phrase, allowing me to take a coveted photo, or explaining their educational system, they are genuine, caring, and gracious. I am pleased to have visited a number of schools, my favorite the village school in Enka. I am anxious to take all that I have learned back to my school and my community. As more and more people come to see Turkey as it really is rather than how the media often portrays it, relations between the two countries will improve and the relationship will be mutually beneficial. I appreciate all that Turkey is, and no more a part of me than ever before. I am happy to be an ambassador for this gem – Türkiye. Thanks to everyone who had a part in providing this experience.

]]> By: J.B. Smith http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/2009/07/10/teacher-study-tours-2009-group-1-istanbul-5/comment-page-1/#comment-8613 J.B. Smith Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:12:07 +0000 http://blog.shareturkishculture.org/?p=162#comment-8613 When I began telling my friends about this wonderful opportunity I had received, many of them asked, 'Why Turkey?' It is a question based in lack of knowledge and/or misguided information as well as stereotypes. Unfortunately, I did not possess the skills and knowledge to adequately refute their connotations. The biggest thing I will take away from this trip is the newly acquired understanding of what Turkey represents and all that its people have to offer. Therefore the question will not be 'Why Turkey?' but rather 'Why not Turkey?' Thank you Turkish Cultural Foundation! When I began telling my friends about this wonderful opportunity I had received, many of them asked, ‘Why Turkey?’ It is a question based in lack of knowledge and/or misguided information as well as stereotypes. Unfortunately, I did not possess the skills and knowledge to adequately refute their connotations. The biggest thing I will take away from this trip is the newly acquired understanding of what Turkey represents and all that its people have to offer. Therefore the question will not be ‘Why Turkey?’ but rather ‘Why not Turkey?’ Thank you Turkish Cultural Foundation!

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