Practical Information for Mobile Students
Transportation
Public transportation is convenient and relatively cheap. Ege University is easily accessible from all parts of Izmir. The inner-city transportation to and from the Campus is provided by buses of Municipality and by metro. There is special discount for students.
Climate
Although Turkey is situated in large Mediterranean geographical location where climatic conditions are quite temperate, diverse nature of the landscape, and the existence in particular of the mountains that run parallel to the coasts, result in significant differences in climatic conditions from one region to the other. While the coastal areas enjoy milder climates, the inland Anatolian plateau experiences hot summers and cold winters with limited rainfall. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have cool, rainy winters and hot, moderately dry summers.
During the summer period in İzmir, the temperature is about 30-35 degrees celsius. Winter temperature is between 5-10 degrees Celsius. It rarely snows, and the temperature is rarely under zero degree.
Language
In Turkey, the official language is Turkish. 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 read exactly the way it is written.
Arriving in IZMIR
By Road: Most long distance buses come into the central bus station, around 8 km northeast of the city centre, and there are public buses and taxis to and from the city. Izmir is connected to every part of the country, with major destinations having a service at least every hour.
By Rail: Izmir has two railway stations: Basmane in the city centre is the major terminal for intercity trains, and Alsancak in the north is mainly a commuter and local route. The commuter service has been newly extended to the north and south of the city.
For detailed information
http://www.tcdd.gov.tr/
http://www.izban.com.tr
By Sea: As Izmir city is a harbor city, sea transportation is important in Izmir. The Alsancak harbor which extends by 1314 meters is one of the crucial export-doors of the country. There are journeys between Izmir and Istanbul. All ferries dock at the Alsancak Ferry Terminal, 2km north of the city centre.
By Air: Both domestic and international flights are periodically available from Adnan Menderes Airport every day which is 16km south of the city centre. There are also regular flights from many European cities. Airport buses and metro go to and from the city centre.
For detailed information
http://www.adnanmenderesairport.com/
http://www.havas.com.tr/
Student Visa and Residence Permit
A student visa is required to register as a student in Turkey. Exceptions are those who are legal dependents of someone in Turkey on a diplomatic visa or with a work visa. Students who come to Turkey without a student visa will not be able to register as a student nor will get a residence permit.
Student visa must be obtained from a Turkish Consulate; it cannot be obtained within Turkey.
The International Office sends a Letter of Acceptance to applicants who are accepted to Ege University as an exchange student for visa.
All international students in Turkey, regardless of status, must register with, and obtain, a Residence Permit from the Bureau of Foreign Residence Registration at the provincial Directorate of Security within a month.
Students enrolled in a degree program at Ege University are usually given residence permits that are valid for one year. Exchange students are given residence permits for the period of time they will be studying at Ege University as indicated on the student visa. Students can extend their residence permit if they extend their enrollment in Ege University.
The International Office provides all the support for international students in getting residence permit.
Orientation Program
International Office organizes an orientation program to help the exchange students adapt to living in a new environment and culture. Ege University Erasmus Student Network (ESN) also cooperates with the International Office for the organization of the orientation program and other activities like trips to different parts of Turkey, cultural excursions, sports tournaments, parties for the exchange students all through the academic year.
Orientation Program gives exchange students an opportunity to get to know the University life, the department, administration, social and cultural services, Izmir city and all other new students. The Orientation Program comprises;
1. Campus Tour
2. Welcome Lunch
3. Workshop “ Life in Izmir & Turkey “
4. Izmir City Tour
5. Visiting Faculty/Department Coordinators for course registration and course schedules
6. Trip to Ephesus Ancient City and Village of Şirince
For the first week host students are available throughout the day to help new students settle in, make telephone calls, use the bank and other facilities, and in general, to learn how to get around the campus and the city.
Communication Services
Turkey has an active telephone network. Türk Telekom provides all kinds of national and international telecommunication services in Turkey. After the separation of post and telecommunication services in 1995 Türk Telekom has taken over the mission of maintaining the position of Turkey as the region's communication hub.
Any number within the country or around the world can be called by entering the required codes. Telephone numbers are composed of two parts, the three digit area code and the seven digit telephone number.
Public phones are public service telephones operating by magnetic card, credit card and smart card. These phones are installed freely by Türk Telekom at public function places such as squares, hospitals, bus terminals, train terminals, seaports, airports, underground stations, military units and mass housing sites. There are many public phones in Ege University campus. Cards used in public phones are sold by Türk Telekom dealers at the current tariff rates.
TTcard is prepaid call system you can use in both domestic and international calls via not only public phones but also home and office phones. The system operates in 2 languages, Turkish and English. International students are entitled to bring one mobile phone into Turkey within one calendar year for use during their stay in Turkey. A personal mobile phone brought in to Turkey in this manner is exempt from tax and duty. You can use your mobile telephone line if it is enabled for international roaming.
It is necessary to register the mobile phones in order to use them with SIM card bought from a Turkish network operator. (In order to use such a mobile phone with a SIM card bought in Turkey from a Turkish network operator, the mobile phone number assigned to the SIM card needs to be correlated with the IMEI number of the mobile phone). Phones not registered in this way will be blocked and unable to receive or make calls. There is no charge levied for this registration.
Post-Cargo-Courier Services
Post, cargo and courier services are provided both by the state and the private sector in Turkey. PTT is state institution and offers postal services, money order services, collection of credit card payments,
collection of electricity bill,
collection of water bills, pension payments, units and telephone card sales, effective transactions, exchange foreign currency, insurance transactions, internet packages, ticket sale, catalogue sales, product sales and electronic certificate. The PTT has a widespread service network and its offices can easily be found on almost every corner of the city and the Ege University Campus. Both international and domestic companies provide service for your domestic and international cargo and courier requirements.
Currency
Turkish national currency is
Türk Lirası (TL). Official exchange rates can be obtained from the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey:
http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng/
| Banknotes |
Coins |
200 TL. |
1 TL. |
100 TL. |
50 KRŞ. |
50 TL. |
25 KRŞ. |
20 TL. |
10 KRŞ. |
10 TL. |
5 KRŞ. |
5 TL. |
1 KRŞ. |
Banking Services and Credit Cards
The banking sector forms a great part of the Turkish financial system in its dynamic
economy. There are approximately 50 investment, development and commercial banks operating in Turkey. You can cash your traveler cheques in banks, exchange foreign currency, pay your credit card bills, send and receive online money orders.
International credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard and American Express are valid in almost all locations in Ege University Campus.
There are bank branches and various ATMs located on the University campus for the use of students, academic and administrative staff.
Shopping Center
The Shopping Center is located in the center of the Campus and comprises a copy and printing shop, a cosmetics shop, a bookshop, a travel agency, a boutique, a hair salon, a shoe repair shop, a photography shop, a laundry, a music shop, a pastry shop, a sports shop, a cafeteria, a billiards saloon and the University gift shop. Services are provided by agreement with commercial organizations.
