Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Julien
From: IÉSEG
To: Özyeğin Universitesi
2025 • Fall
Eating is really cheap compared to Europe but activities are the same price..
What kind of place was it?
Airbnb
How much was the rent per month?
Around 500€ / month
Where was it located?
In Kadikoy
How can someone find this place?
Airbnb
Would you recommend it?
Yes, it was practical, but not especially beautiful
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Kadikoy is THE international student district
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Take courses that you already did in your home school
Do you have some tips?
If you have a lot of courses, live on the campus
Best trips to do?
Really not expensive and in the middle of 3 continents
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Istanbul?
Eating is really cheap compared to Europe but activities are the same price
Zied
From: Em Normandie
To: Ticaret University
2025 • Fall
The location was very nice. It's just a small room with a kitchen, a bathroom, and a TV, but the view was amazing from the room. The neighborhood is not the…..
What kind of place was it?
Classic Apartment
How much was the rent per month?
400€ per month
Where was it located?
Taksim
How can someone find this place?
+ 90 554 299 46 89
Would you recommend it?
The location was very nice. It's just a small room with a kitchen, a bathroom, and a TV, but the view was amazing from the room. The neighborhood is not the best, but it's really safe. You have a police office near the apartment, and you also have an office open 24/7, ready to help you at any moment.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
If you love house/tech you'll love the Kastel
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Brand Management is easy
Do you have some tips?
The campus is okay, for the registration, every student struggled to choose their classes as we had to choose them a second time when we came
Best trips to do?
I went to Oman for one week with some friends for 450€, it was one of the best trips I've made in my life. Many people went to Cappadocia
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Istanbul?
For the transport you really should get a student istanbul kart, you can have 200 travels for 10€ per month.
Food delivery is also really cheap!
Sinaria
From: Université libre de Bruxelles
To: Bilgi university
2025 • Full year
very crowded, might feel overwhelming for some people like me, a bus ride always takes much more than what google ındicates, there are soooooo many places to…..
What kind of place was it?
Classic Apartment
How much was the rent per month?
380 euro per month
Where was it located?
10 mins by foot to university
How can someone find this place?
real estate agency
Would you recommend it?
I would pick it up again for its very privileged placement near university. but as the apartment is first floor overlooking the main street, traffic and cars noise are too much for the first few weeks. you may get used to it but if you dont like noisy environments this place is not for you.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
im a stay home person but i still like the extroverted part of my personnality. however for this first semester im still looking for people with whome i can hang out outside university and who match my vibe. im taking my time and not rushing it so you have to do ^^
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
im in archtecture deptartment, and i recommend third year history course with Prof Deniz, design with modelling with Prof Ahmet and third year studio project {these courses are first semester}
Do you have some tips?
this university really makes registration and administration part very eay to you which is really cool, the working staff are amazing and always available to respond to you
Best trips to do?
for the moment i visited only Cappadocia, one hour by plane from Istanbul. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. very different from ıstanbul, you will experıence a more countryside ambiance.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Istanbul?
very crowded, might feel overwhelming for some people like me, a bus ride always takes much more than what google ındicates, there are soooooo many places to see other than touristıc areas so you need to sightsee very often to discover new things, people really like your effort when you try to speak turkish so try to learn a few practical sentences before coming, also english is not their strong feature, ıstanbul is huge and extremely gorgeous city dont let the overwhelming feeling at the beginning affect you
the residency cart may takes 2 months to arrive and thats normal, in some administrative process they need a turkish phone number, even if a touristic phone number is a bit more expensive than a normal one, i still advise you to buy one {without residence cart you can only buy tourist phone numer}
Louis
From: Institut catholique de Lille
To: Medipol university
2025 • Fall
Global economy in turkey, microeconomics, diversity management in organisation..
What kind of place was it?
Coliving / Shared House
How much was the rent per month?
560
Where was it located?
Kadikoy
How can someone find this place?
Would you recommend it?
I like this place because you can find all you need and it is cheap
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Sound room in europeen side
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Global economy in turkey, microeconomics, diversity management in organisation
Do you have some tips?
That’s a big campus but it’s far to the center
Best trips to do?
Antalya, bursa, cappadocia and egypt
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Istanbul?
To live in the center
Gabrielle
From: ESPOL
To: Galatasaray
2025 • Fall
Good places to go out, clubs ans bars un Beşiktaş, taksim And kadikoy..
What kind of place was it?
Coliving / Shared House
How much was the rent per month?
550€
Where was it located?
Beşiktaş
How can someone find this place?
Would you recommend it?
Yes
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Good places to go out, clubs ans bars un Beşiktaş, taksim And kadikoy
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
African studies, culture heritage
Do you have some tips?
Very helpful in administrative procedures
Best trips to do?
Capadoccia
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Istanbul?
Safe, dynamic and lot of culture
Prefer flat locations in besiktas or kadikoy or taksim
Julien
From: Ieseg School of management
To: Özyeğin Üniversitesi
2025 • Fall
Or you take a class with a project which takes a lot of time but at distance, or a classic class where you have to be present 70% of the semester..
What kind of place was it?
Airbnb
How much was the rent per month?
Around 500€ by month
Where was it located?
In the north of Kadikoy, close to the port
How can someone find this place?
Airbnb
Would you recommend it?
The perfect place if you prefer visiting the city than going to class
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Go to ESI events and bars
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Easy courses
Do you have some tips?
Or you take a class with a project which takes a lot of time but at distance, or a classic class where you have to be present 70% of the semester
Best trips to do?
It’s the center between Asia, Europa and Africa so just enjoy
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Istanbul?
Live in Asian side
Ornella
From: Ozyegin university
To: Ozyegin university
2025 • Fall
I recommend Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Marketing, Organisation, Technology and Innovation..
What kind of place was it?
Airbnb
How much was the rent per month?
550
Where was it located?
In the center of Istanbul
How can someone find this place?
Airbnb
Would you recommend it?
It’s far from the university
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Best party was the Erasmus party
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I recommend Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Marketing, Organisation, Technology and Innovation
Do you have some tips?
Campus is very cool but the university is very far, 1h30 of public transport
Best trips to do?
Thaïlande, Chypre, Kazakhstan
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Istanbul?
Cost of living is around 600€ per month
Make your resident permit directly
Elizabeth
From: Université Catholique de Lille (ESPOL)
To: Galatasaray University
2025 • Fall
Yes, it was a very nice neighbourhood, it was very busy, many coffee shops, bars, restaurants and small businesses. Also it was in front of the besijtas port,…..
What kind of place was it?
Coliving / Shared House
How much was the rent per month?
475
Where was it located?
Besiktas, 20min on foot from the university
How can someone find this place?
Would you recommend it?
Yes, it was a very nice neighbourhood, it was very busy, many coffee shops, bars, restaurants and small businesses. Also it was in front of the besijtas port, very well located and easy access to public transportations all over the city. Also my university was only 20minutes walking distance from my apartment.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
The best club area is Taksim area but there are many very nice bars in Besiktas also.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
For political science students I recommend the Race gender and class course. Mostly all classes are interesting, there is a big diversity of classes.
Do you have some tips?
Beautiful campus, it is directly on the sea side, registration was easy, the administration is very helpful compared to other universities. they harped us with everything particularly the resident permit.
Best trips to do?
Turkiye is a huge country so there are many beautiful and diverse areas to visit such as : Capadoccia, Izmir, the sea sides and mountains near Georgia. I also went to Egypt because flights are much cheaper to close countries than in France.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Istanbul?
Istanbul is a very overstimulating city, there is so much to do, visit (very historical) but there are also many people and the city is very big. So make sure to look up the places you want to go before arriving.
Sacha
From: sciences po lille
To: Bahçeşehir university
2025 • Fall
- international office wasn’t aware of the new modifications from the Immigration Office for our residence permit and asked us to pay a very expensive document…..
What kind of place was it?
Coliving / Shared House
How much was the rent per month?
450€
Where was it located?
Şişli mecidiyekoy
How can someone find this place?
Would you recommend it?
Great place but very old and a bit expensive. Shared flat with 7 other people but only one bathroom and one kitchen. Amazing experience there because the flatmates were incredible. Owner is lazy to solve our problems : we stayed 5 days without hot water for instance. Great neighbourhood. If I had to choose again I would probably pick the same place.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
I don’t have specific places to recommend but there’s a lot of stuff to do :)
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
- Turkey - Eu relations : course by the responsible of the political science department but shocking words happened during the course, regarding the armenian genocide for instance. - International Law : best course - Religion and Politics : the teacher is very boring - International Political Economy : same teacher than religion and politics but it’s even more boring because the subject is not interesting. - Sports, Politics and Society : it’s okay but it’s not the best. Most students leave before the end of the course.
Do you have some tips?
- international office wasn’t aware of the new modifications from the Immigration Office for our residence permit and asked us to pay a very expensive document (notarised contract) that we didn’t need. - campus is cool but there is no canteen and no sports club, no sports infrastructures … Very business school atmosphere and students are really rich. I would definitely not choose this university again and I can’t really recommend it. It’s not horrible but the courses are easy, not interesting at all, there is no structure in the course, and the administrative help was way worse than in most universities.
Best trips to do?
- Cappadocia in car or bus : really amazing - Izmir and Ephesus : alors very great - Princes Island in istanbul with the ferry : I love this place
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Istanbul?
Please try everything, go to every neighbourhood, try every food and buy the MUZEKART (only 1€ and give you access to manyyyyyyy museums in all turkey for free).
Istanbul is amazing :) Also, paying rent in cash in euros is normal here because the turkish lira is not stable enough.
Alix
From: ESPOL
To: Bahcesehir university
2025 • Fall
The campus is really nice and is located right in front of the Bosphorus, close to the ferry and bus stations. The administration is helpful, and there is an…..
What kind of place was it?
Classic Apartment
How much was the rent per month?
Less than 500 euro
Where was it located?
In Kadikoy on the Asian side
How can someone find this place?
Through a friend - "Yourbestflat"
Would you recommend it?
As it is a shared apartment with other Erasmus students, I would recommend it if you don’t know anyone in the city. However, you should take into consideration that many of the apartments offered by this agency don’t have any common rooms, which can make socializing with your flatmates a bit more complicated.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Best places for bars is clubs is located either in Kadikoy or Taksim.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
recommend Strategic Studies and Military Technologies, as well as Turkish Foreign Policy classes. Both have incredible and passionate teachers. The other classes depend on your level, but in general, you may find them a bit easy.
Do you have some tips?
The campus is really nice and is located right in front of the Bosphorus, close to the ferry and bus stations. The administration is helpful, and there is an orientation week to assist you with all the paperwork. Just keep in mind that the application for the residence permit takes a long time, even though the university helps you.
Best trips to do?
Trips are really easy from Istanbul, especially if you want to travel around Turkey. Both buses and planes are really cheap, and Turkey offers incredible diversity in sightseeing.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Istanbul?
The residence permit guys is reallyyyy long to do.
Most Turkish people don’t speak English, so it’s helpful to learn some basic Turkish phrases.
