Alabama in Istanbul

In May of 2008, 2009, and 2010 University of Alabama students traveled to Istanbul, Turkey to study international trade issues with an Interim study program administered by Dr. Glenn Richey that blends the historic ancient culture and civilizations of Asia Minor with modern Turkey, now one of the world’s leading emerging economies.  This is the only University of Alabama international summer program offered in a predominately Muslim country, providing students a safe and unique opportunity to experience a culture where Islam and capitalism have been successfully mixed.  Dr. Mert Tokman, a 2007 Ph.D. graduate of UA-Marketing, grew up in Istanbul and assists in this program. The goal of the program is to tie business concepts and tools to both European and Asian (Islamic) real world situations.

 The students began their program in Istanbul with morning class time and afternoon tours.  The classroom experience includes a combination of lectures by Dr. Richey or Dr. Tokman and guest speaker interaction in order to examine and analyze the international business process.  A Turkish historian and archeologist travels with the students for the entire program and provides the afternoon tours of historic sites from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires.  Students also tour modern businesses and factories, including Toyota, which contributes to the success of Turkey on the world’s economic stage. 

 From Istanbul, the students travel to Ankara, where Ataturk established the modern, secular nation of Turkey after WWI.  Cappadocia provides the next stop on the tour with its fairy chimneys and underground cities sculpted from the volcanic tuft.  This stop allows students to tour both world renowned pottery and rug manufacturing.  Then the students travel to Ephesus and Pergamum on the Aegean Sea to visit the ancient wonders of the Greek and Roman civilizations.  The trip concludes in Istanbul where the students have time to complete their group projects and free time to experience the rich culture of Istanbul.

 Student evaluations of the trip included comments that Dr. Richey made the morning classes very interesting and tied class experience with the cultural experience by giving assignments and items of interest to look for on the streets of Turkey.  Another student felt that the professors blended the marketing component of the course beautifully with the cultural experience.  Students felt that the trip significantly impacted their lives by opening their eyes to the world with a more Middle Eastern influence and by becoming aware of the important role Turkey has played in history.  Another student stated that Dr. Richey and Dr. Tokman were both amazing and the trip provided an extraordinary amount of knowledge in just over two weeks on the trip.  The chance to experience the vast history represented by this area was more than enough reason to go on the trip.  The academic and cultural experience was great!

This study abroad opportunity will be available again in the summer of 2011.