Maltepe University in Brief
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updated on: 07/01/2016 MMaalltteeppee UUnniivveerrssiittyy Free in Mind, Modern in Science HHAANNDDBBOOOOKK FFOORR IINNCCOOMMIINNGG SSTTUUDDEENNTTSS page 1 of 19 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 page 2 of 19 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 Işıl Altay or Mr. Gökhan Bakar; [email protected] We wish you a very exciting and fruitful stay in Istanbul! Assist. Prof. Dr. Ezgi Eyüboğlu (Mrs.) International Office Institutional Coordinator Exchange Programmes Institutional Coordinator e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +90-216-6261050 ext.2590 Mr. Gökhan Bakar International Office Coordinator Exchange Programmes Office Coordinator Outgoing Exchange Student Advisor Bilateral Agreement Specialist e-mail: [email protected] 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 e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +90-216-626 1050 x.2590 Maltepe University International Office Marmara Eğitim Köyü 34857 Maltepe- İstanbul Tel: +90-216-6261135 Fax: +90-216-6261134 [email protected] page 3 of 19 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. page 4 of 19 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 find Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Armenian churches as well as Synagogues and 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 their practices and customs and 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 good Muslim lets 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 called Döviz Burosu and 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) page 5 of 19 1.1.5 Holidays January 1 New Year's Day April 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 Bayramı 24,25,26,27 September 2015 Kurban Bayramı On the first day of Şeker and Kurban religious holidays all shops and bazaars are closed. (The Ramazan Bayramı and Kurban Bayramı are 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.