I really enjoyed our trip to Istanbul, which was a good mix of an educational and leisurely experience. We were able to visit some of the most famous and interesting landmarks of the city such as the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, as well as visit Acibadem Hospital, one of the very well-established hospitals in the city. Our visit to Acibadem, in particular, was very enlightening as we got a taste of the healthcare system and practices of Turkey. We were lucky enough to meet one of the neurosurgeons currently working there, who gave us a short explanation about one of their core tumor suppressing treatments, and this was truly a wonderful experience. The city and all its sights provided a culturally vibrant experience where we were able to get a taste of the Turkish way of life. This was definitely an experience I will never forget and would recommend to students in the future.
Arfa Pasha
I enjoyed the trip to its fullest. The destination was wonderful and the accommodation was great. The hospital visit was the main highlight of the trip for me. It is truly a dream to work there. The facility, the staff, and everything about it was of a very high standard. The equipment used, the technology, and the attention to detail in the hospital infrastructure were truly astounding. The trip was well planned, the schedule for all the destinations was excellent, and overall the trip was fantastic.
I rate the trip 4/5. Thank you, GMU.
Harshavardhan Rajagopal – 2018M053
My name is Maryam Patrick John, a BPT second-year student. The trip to Turkey was a great and eye-opening experience for me. I learned a lot. Acibadem Hospital is the best hospital I have ever seen. It was beautiful, from the waiting room and washrooms to the hospitality of the staff and the peaceful environment. I saw many machines that I had never seen before. The radiotherapy machine was something I had always wanted to see, and I finally did.
The next thing I enjoyed was the trip to Bursa. Wow! It is the best place in Turkey. Their street food is amazing and affordable, shopping is inexpensive, and the people are friendly. Ms. Burcu made sure we were comfortable and happy, and she ensured we visited the best places in both Istanbul and Bursa. Transportation was easy, good, and affordable.
Maryam Patrick John – 2017PT36
I’m an MBBS Phase 1 student (2018) who accompanied the other group members on the Turkey trip. I would like to thank the university for this great opportunity. These amazing five days with our classmates allowed us to take a break from college stress. The trip began with a visit to a hill offering an amazing view and breezy weather. It was a great start to the journey and helped students from different programs interact with each other.
The second day included a visit to Acibadem Altunizade Hospital, one of the top private healthcare facilities in Turkey. The smooth functioning of the hospital, along with the cooperative doctors and nurses, made the visit both interesting and educational. The following days were spent exploring the beauty of Istanbul and visiting its famous historical monuments. From Hagia Sophia to the Grand Bazaar, the beauty of the country was reflected everywhere. The journey was made easy and enjoyable by our tour guide, Mr. Sinan, and our group leader, Ms. Burcu, who were both kind and understanding. This trip gave us an idea of the world beyond our daily lives, and I look forward to more trips organized by the university.
Meghana Singh
Overall, I really enjoyed my trip to Turkey. It was well organized and well managed throughout. I enjoyed seeing multiple tourist attractions and visiting the private hospital as part of our trip. I enjoyed our Bursa visit the most!
Hamidreza Ebtekar – 2015D039
Dear Ms. Burcu and GMU Management,
I would like to start by thanking GMU for arranging another wonderful trip, and special thanks to Ms. Burcu and Mr. Alison for all the effort and fun they added. This educational sightseeing trip allowed us to learn about churches, mosques, and the Ottoman Empire. We visited many amazing places in Turkey. The educational hospital visit helped us learn about advanced technologies used in healthcare. I will also never forget the wonderful shopping experiences we had in the bazaars. This trip was an outstanding and unforgettable experience.
Thank you, GMU.
Cham Brek – 2018D015
It was an amazing experience as it was my first trip with the university. The visit to Acibadem Hospital was excellent. We learned about the new facilities they introduced and the way they treated patients as if they were at home. My favorite part was visiting Bursa to see the snow and ride the cable car. I would definitely join again next time.
Sofia AlFalasi – 2018M059
The Turkey trip, in my opinion, was very educational and fun. We had many opportunities to learn about Turkish history and culture.
Acibadem Hospital gave me great insight into a hospital with a very high level of hospitality, which is very important in the medical field. The hospital felt like a hotel, always putting patients and visitors first. Their waiting rooms even had snacks and drinks for patients, friends, and family.
The most impressive feature was having radiology, dental, and various rehabilitation facilities located within the emergency area. This saves time, energy, and increases patients’ chances of survival. I also enjoyed the cable car ride and the snow. I would love to experience this trip again with friends and family.
Soloye Oluwatobiloba Olawunmi – 2017PT41
I really enjoyed the trip to Istanbul and the itinerary that was planned. Visiting the hospital was a great experience as I learned about the dental field in Turkey and how it operates. The daily tours were amazing, and I feel we covered all the important attractions.
Saud Ali
The Turkey trip was very enjoyable, with the visit to Bursa being the highlight of the week. The hospital visit was very informative and opened up possibilities for pursuing postgraduate studies in Turkey, as the facilities were very impressive. For future trips, Italy or Spain would be great destinations.
Sherwit Dafrawi – 2015D013
I’d like to say that the trip to Turkey was a fantastic experience mainly due to the following reasons:
- Good accommodation.
- Ample time was given during visits to key places in the city.
- The tour guide provided valuable insight into the monuments and places we visited.
- The hospital visit was extremely important as it helped me evaluate the standard of healthcare in Turkey and learn about the different equipment used, especially in the dental department.
I hope to have more dentistry-focused shadowing and travel opportunities next year, particularly in the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, as it is the specialty I am interested in pursuing. The UK, Ireland, and the USA are the destinations I look forward to visiting.
Aliasgar Taskin
Total Participants: 35
