Discover Turkiye: Where Continents, Cultures, and Centuries meet.
Step into a summer like no other in Turkiye, a country where every street corner holds a story and every conversation opens a window into a rich and dynamic world. In the Intensive Turkish Summer Program, you’ll do more than study a language, you’ll live it! Through daily interaction with your host family, local peers, and the vibrant life of Ankara, you’ll immerse yourself in the rhythms, flavors, and perspectives that define modern Turkiye.
From ancient ruins to sleek modern cafés, Turkiye bridges East and West, history and modernity, tradition and innovation. Based in Ankara, the nation’s political and cultural heart, you’ll experience the best of both worlds: a city steeped in the legacy of empires yet pulsing with the energy of a modern European metropolis.
Whether you’re interested in international relations, global business, history, or cultural studies, studying Turkish opens doors to new academic and career possibilities—and a deeper understanding of one of the most strategically and culturally significant countries in the world.
Hosted by the renowned TOMER Language Center at Ankara University, this eight-week intensive program offers a powerful combination of immersive language learning, cultural exploration, and personal connection.
You will study Turkish in small, interactive classes of just three to six students, allowing for personalized instruction and rapid progress. No matter your starting level, you’ll gain confidence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing - often completing the equivalent of a full academic year of Turkish in just one summer.
Outside the classroom, you’ll live with a Turkish host family, sharing meals, traditions, and everyday experiences that bring the language and culture to life. Weekly cultural activities, from exploring Ottoman palaces and bustling bazaars to attending local festivals or visiting museums, connect classroom learning with the world around you.
You will also take part in a five-day group excursion beyond Ankara to discover some of Turkiye’s most stunning regions, from the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia to the ancient cities along the Aegean coast. Along the way, conversation partners help you navigate local life, practice your Turkish naturally, and make friendships that last long after the summer ends.
Immerse yourself fully in the Turkish language through daily life, classes, and family living.
Experience Turkiye as both a cultural treasure and a modern nation shaping regional and global affairs.
Earn academic credit and gain a competitive edge for careers in international relations, diplomacy, or business.
Travel widely, exploring both the capital and some of Turkiye’s most iconic destinations.
Build lifelong friendships and global perspectives that will shape how you see the world.
In just eight weeks, you’ll gain more than language proficiency - you’ll gain a second home, new ways of seeing the world, and the confidence to navigate it.
Join the Intensive Turkish Summer Program and experience Turkiye from the inside out.
With a population of over five million, Turkiye’s vibrant capital blends ancient history with the energy, excitement, and variety of a modern, European metropolis. The city’s historic center features winding streets, centuries old Ottoman houses, cobblestone alleys, and sweeping views of the cityscape. In addition to such historic sites as the Roman Baths, the Temple of Augustus, and the Ankara Castle, the city is filled with cafés, tea gardens, and restaurants where locals and U.S. students gather over strong coffee or sweet tea. The nightlife is energetic but laid-back, with a thriving music scene and student-friendly clubs. Getting around is simple thanks to an efficient public transportation system that includes metro, buses, and affordable taxis, making it easy to explore both the historic neighborhoods and the more contemporary districts dotted with boutiques, bookstores, and art spaces.
Students receive a total of 8 undergraduate or 10 graduate credits from Bryn Mawr College upon completion of the program.
Courses are designed to produce measurable gains in speaking, listening, reading, and writing while focusing on practical, real-life communication and day-to-day interactions with native speakers.
Instruction is provided by highly experienced TOMER faculty in small groups of three to six students, ensuring close individual attention and active participation. Students are placed in classes according to their proficiency level. Participants complete a total of 140 contact hours of instruction in the following areas:
| Advanced Topics in Turkish Conversation | 1 Unit/4 Credits
| Advanced Grammar and Lexical Study | 1 Unit/4 Credits
| Advanced Topics in Turkish Conversation | 1 Unit/5 Credits
| Advanced Grammar and Lexical Study | 1 Unit/5 Credits
Program participants live with local, Turkish-speaking host families.
Participants live with specially selected and vetted host families, who provide breakfast and dinner seven days per week. Participants reside in fully furnished, private rooms. In addition to invaluable logistical support, host families offer unique insight into Turkish daily life; ongoing language practice in a warm, supportive environment; regular advice and assistance; and wide-ranging discussions of cultural nuances as participants adapt.
One day per week is set aside for structured cultural programming led by the resident director in collaboration with university faculty. Activities include guided visits to historical sites, museums, and cultural landmarks; workshops in Turkish cuisine, music, or traditional arts; and opportunities to engage with local communities.
While destinations vary from year to year, weekly excursions typically include Ankara Castle, Anıtkabir (Mausoleum of Atatürk), the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, the Ethnography Museum of Ankara, and the historic neighborhoods of Ulus and Hamamönü. The resident director also leads a five-day regional excursion, during which participants explore some of Turkiye’s most exciting places and attractions, including Cappadocia and Istanbul. Excursions are closely integrated into classroom studies to provide participants a rich context for each outing.
Visit Ankara Castle, Anıtkabir, and museums exploring Turkiye’s rich history.
Delve into Turkish cooking, music, and traditional arts, guided by local experts.
Interact with residents through cultural events and neighborhood visits.
Experience Cappadocia, Istanbul, and other iconic destinations during guided excursions.
Program participants are paired with Turkish university students who serve as both conversation partners and cultural guides. Conversation partners not only provide additional support with speaking practice and listening comprehension but also help U.S. participants form meaningful friendships and social connections within the Turkish student community. Conversation partners are selected by American Councils and TOMER staff. Many students report that their conversation partners provide invaluable opportunities for them to find new social networks. The development of such friendships is a key component of successful acculturation and language development.
Based at the University of Ankara, TOMER (Türkçe Öğretim Merkezi) has been a leading center for the study of Turkish for more than 40 years. TOMER faculty specialize in the teaching of Turkish to foreign students through interactive, student-centered instruction designed to maximize language gain in all modalities. In partnership with American Councils, TOMER has designed a unique, intensive program for program participants that emphasizes active engagement, high energy instruction, real-world communication, and teaching based on the latest pedagogical science. Participants typically complete the equivalent of one year of Turkish instruction during the summer program.
Multiple sources of funding are available to support participants in paying for programs abroad. Participants are encouraged to apply for private scholarships, federal aid and grants, college/university scholarships, and American Councils fellowships and scholarships.
Summer participants attend a two-day orientation program on site immediately upon arrival in Yerevan (where they are met at the airport by AC Staff). Orientation sessions cover health and safety, academic culture, host-family life, cultural adjustment, onsite support, and strategies for maximizing language learning. Lodging and meals are provided.
While abroad, participants have access to full-time in-country staff who offer academic, administrative, and personal support, as well as 24/7 emergency assistance. The AC Study Abroad team in Washington, D.C. stays in close contact with students, host institutions, and families throughout the program.
All participants are covered by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) for the duration of the program. CISI provides up to $250,000 in medical coverage per accident or illness and full emergency medical evacuation coverage.
American Councils provides visa support for participants for the duration of the program in the host country, if applicable. Students are responsible for obtaining any additional visas required by their travel plans. Visa instructions and forms are provided after acceptance.
