Merhaba, so sorry about the delay.
As you know, I have been attending a high school here in İzmir, therefore, this post will be dedicated to my high school -İzmir Kız Lisesi or İKL for short. First I'll start off with some history..
İzmir Kız Lisesi was the first high school for girls after the declaration of the Republic in Turkey. There were several attempts prior to 1922 to open an all girl's school, however they all proved to be unsuccessful. Therefore, İzmir Kız Lisesi is a celebration for women and a true landmark of the city. To this day, it continues to be one of the top Anatolian (public) high schools in İzmir and the students' test scores are a definite reflection of that. My classmates are very smart! :)
An average school day starts at 8:00am and ends around 3:05pm. A difference between Turkish high schools and American high schools is the fact that students here must wear a uniform. At İKL, girls are told to wear a black, yellow, orange, and white, check-patterned skirt with a black top and black stockings and boys are prefered to wear a white, collared shirt with black or dark blue trousers. There are many students that abide to the uniform standards, however there are also many students who do not. It is prefered that girls wear the skirts but many of them (myself included) can get away with just wear black jeans and a black shirt.
I have made a ton of friends at school! It's crazy to think that I am the first American that some of my friends have met..but it also means that I must make a good impression and be a good ambassador. :) I was put into one of the eleventh grade classes (twelfth graders in Turkey are studying all day for the HUGE university entrance exam) meaning most of my friends are sixteen or seventeen. The age gap isn't a huge deal but sometimes it can get a little annoying. I am currently on the Sayısal track, meaning my classes are focused predominantly on math and science, although there are a few English classes per week where I can really show off! Another weird thing that high schools do in Turkey is have their students march for gym class. It is honestly the most uncomfortable thing for me. I can barely understand the commands and I'm always the awkward exchange student who is not align with everyone else. I'm working on it though..
After seven hours of school and two hours of language class everyday, I'm always so tired. Not to mention the fact that I had to go to class for five hours this previous Saturday morning as well.. The NSLI-Y scholarship staff definitely makes sure you're kept very busy. That's it for now, but I promise to post more frequently in the future.
Lydia
As you know, I have been attending a high school here in İzmir, therefore, this post will be dedicated to my high school -İzmir Kız Lisesi or İKL for short. First I'll start off with some history..
İzmir Kız Lisesi was the first high school for girls after the declaration of the Republic in Turkey. There were several attempts prior to 1922 to open an all girl's school, however they all proved to be unsuccessful. Therefore, İzmir Kız Lisesi is a celebration for women and a true landmark of the city. To this day, it continues to be one of the top Anatolian (public) high schools in İzmir and the students' test scores are a definite reflection of that. My classmates are very smart! :)
An average school day starts at 8:00am and ends around 3:05pm. A difference between Turkish high schools and American high schools is the fact that students here must wear a uniform. At İKL, girls are told to wear a black, yellow, orange, and white, check-patterned skirt with a black top and black stockings and boys are prefered to wear a white, collared shirt with black or dark blue trousers. There are many students that abide to the uniform standards, however there are also many students who do not. It is prefered that girls wear the skirts but many of them (myself included) can get away with just wear black jeans and a black shirt.
I have made a ton of friends at school! It's crazy to think that I am the first American that some of my friends have met..but it also means that I must make a good impression and be a good ambassador. :) I was put into one of the eleventh grade classes (twelfth graders in Turkey are studying all day for the HUGE university entrance exam) meaning most of my friends are sixteen or seventeen. The age gap isn't a huge deal but sometimes it can get a little annoying. I am currently on the Sayısal track, meaning my classes are focused predominantly on math and science, although there are a few English classes per week where I can really show off! Another weird thing that high schools do in Turkey is have their students march for gym class. It is honestly the most uncomfortable thing for me. I can barely understand the commands and I'm always the awkward exchange student who is not align with everyone else. I'm working on it though..
After seven hours of school and two hours of language class everyday, I'm always so tired. Not to mention the fact that I had to go to class for five hours this previous Saturday morning as well.. The NSLI-Y scholarship staff definitely makes sure you're kept very busy. That's it for now, but I promise to post more frequently in the future.
Lydia