Sara Fashwal – Interior architecture

Sara Fashwal is studying in the area of expertise Interior architecture  and spent a semester abroad in Eskisehir, Turkey, at the Eskisehir technical University

My motivation for studying abroad for a semester stemmed from a combination of personal and academic interests. Since I speak Turkish fluently, it was very important to me to apply and deepen my language skills in an academic and professional setting. I was also very eager to immerse myself more deeply in Turkish culture. From an academic standpoint, I was eager to gain new perspectives in the field of interior design. After all, every country has its own design philosophy, aesthetics, and traditions. The semester abroad offered me the perfect opportunity to learn about another country’s teaching methods, broaden my creative horizons, and experience how design processes work there.

After a few initial challenges, I ended up living in a shared apartment in Eskişehir. My start was quite difficult: At first, I had arranged a room in a women’s dormitory through Instagram, but when I arrived, it didn’t match the pictures at all. An alternative I found on short notice also a women’s dormitory was unfortunately very expensive and presented me with bureaucratic problems. Since the dorm wasn’t registered with the immigration office, I couldn’t apply for my residence permit there. Fortunately, I then found a shared apartment where everything went smoothly and where I felt very comfortable. In hindsight, living in a shared apartment was the best way to connect with other people right away and experience everyday life in Eskişehir firsthand.

The university in Eskişehir offers a lively campus atmosphere and a huge selection of courses. At first, however, this posed a minor challenge. The course lists weren’t immediately easy to navigate, so it was difficult to figure out which courses were best suited to my level. After I arrived, there was very little time left to make changes, and I actually had to switch one module because it turned out to be a course from a doctoral program. So, I highly recommend seeking advice beforehand.

Academically, I focused on courses in the field of interior design. Since I speak Turkish fluently, I had no trouble following the lectures. A major plus of the university was how incredibly helpful everyone was: both the faculty and the students spoke English very well and, when necessary, explained important concepts in English. I got along incredibly well with my fellow students. From the very beginning, they provided me with great support and advice, both academically and personally.

Academically speaking, I was able to make tremendous progress during my semester abroad. One of the absolute highlights was that we wrote a research paper (makale). In the process, I learned the entire process from the ground up: from structural planning to the individual methodological steps of academic writing, all the way to the criteria required for future publication. This experience has greatly deepened my academic skills in the field of interior design.

• Academic Highlight: Writing and structuring a scientific article (makale). Learning about the entire process from the initial outline to potential publication was a huge academic benefit.

• Cultural and student highlights: The vibrant atmosphere in Eskişehir, especially its thriving café culture, the famous nightlife in the heart of the city, and the excellent food.

• Travel and Experiences: The city’s ideal location makes it easy to take short trips to Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Sapanca, Konya, and other destinations thanks to its high-speed rail connection.

• A highlight on the interpersonal front: the incredible hospitality of the local people and the deep friendships I was able to form with my fellow students in such a short time.

• False Promises About the First Place to Stay
• Bureaucracy Surrounding the Residence Permit

• Unfortunately, I didn't get to meet the helpful Erasmus team until after I arrived

To ensure a smooth start, be sure to get in touch with the local Erasmus team at your host university before you leave. They’re extremely helpful and can assist you both with the often confusing module selection process and with finding housing. Be especially careful when it comes to housing: Don’t rely blindly on photos on social media, and make sure to get written confirmation in advance that the dorm or apartment is registered with the Immigration Office otherwise, you won’t be able to apply for your residence permit (Ikamet). Since winters in Eskişehir can get very cold, I recommend the summer semester if you’re looking for nice weather. Once you’re there, don’t be shy about striking up a conversation with local students and professors; everyone is incredibly hospitable and will gladly help you in English if needed. Also, take advantage of the city’s unbeatable high-speed train connection to take easy weekend trips to Istanbul or Ankara!