GSU Turkey 2015 "The Study Abroad Think Tank"

Our Project:

In May 2015, the Political Science and Religious Studies Departments at Georgia State are co-sponsoring a study abroad practicum in Turkey. The 14 students selected to participate include both graduate and undergraduate students studying a variety of disciplines. During our three weeks in Turkey we will explore democratization in Muslim majority countries, faith-based NGO’s approach to the Syrian refugee crisis, and sustainable conflict resolution. We’re treating this trip as a “think tank” which means we will create a learning exchange experience, and produce academic grade content which will be published on our website gsuturkey2015.com.

Why Give:

Not including tuition and student fees, the cost of the Maymester study abroad practicum is approximately $4,000. We’re hoping to raise at least $500 for each of the 14 students to help offset travel costs and day-to-day expenses of the trip. We need your help to get us to Turkey2015! Please make a donation to support our project and follow along with our journey at gsuturkey2015.com.

Our Research:

One of the primary focuses of the study abroad practicum is to publish academic-grade content and document our research and experiences through the gsuturkey2015.com website. We have a unique opportunity during this trip to bring fresh ideas from GSU students to address the challenges we will examine in Turkey, particularly those surrounding the Syrian refugee crisis.

We’re hoping that our research will bring added visibility by answering some of the following questions during the trip.

• How is Turkey creating enough stability to ensure that an entire generation of children is not lost to the modern world because of ad hoc education in the camps?
• Are there new efficiencies that are being used or could be implemented in Turkey to ensure that aid goes to those it is intended to help?
• Turkey is doing an admirable job in aiding refugees. What do they know that could help elsewhere in the world when similar situations arise?
• How is Turkey bridging the gap between policy-makers and those helping on the ground? Are those practices exportable?

If you would like to learn more about our research and follow along more closely with our trip, please visit gsuturkey2015.com. 

                 Our group leads from left to right: Ameer, Sonia, Ed, Clare and Eric.