TWU-SOM TRAVEL BLOG

NEW HOME!

2011-10-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

The TWU School of Management Travel Blog has been moved! CLICK HERE to be directed to the new site!

Here are some interesting and fun facts about Turkey!

2011-09-29T17:54:00.000-07:00

•The CIA classifies Turkey as a developed country.

•The most popular sport in Turkey is soccer (football). The Turkish Football team came third in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Basketball and volleyball are also popular sports.

•Noah’s Ark landed on Mount Ararat, which is located in Eastern Turkey.

•Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey by population, is the only city in the world which is built on two continents (Asia and Europe).

•Every fit Turkish male is required to serve in the military for some time. This can range from 3 weeks to 15 months, depending on the education of the person.

•Turkey is divided into 81 different provinces.

•Over 71 million people live in Turkey.

•95% of Turkish people believe that there is a God. 99% of people identify themselves as Muslim.

•Just under 80% of Turkish women are literate.

•The average life expectancy is just over 73 years.

•Over 30 million tourists visited Turkey in 2008.

•July and August are the driest months in Turkey. May is usually the wettest month.

•Every Turkish citizen over the age of 18 has the right to vote.

•In Turkey, you drive on the right hand side of the road.

Info about Turkey

2011-09-08T13:20:00.000-07:00

The Republic of Turkey is one of the most popular destinations in the world due to the fact that it has a very interesting culture, food and the country’s view on republic as well as its standing in the world. Although it is called the Republic of Turkey, it is actually a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional republic country. It holds more than 70,000,000 people which are mostly Muslim. The republic went through various dynasties which caused a good mixture of its culture.

The civilization of Turkey started in Anatolia. There it went through many dynasties from Troy to Roman Empire and finally the Seljuk and Ottoman dynasty which signaled the present of Turks in Anatolia. Among all these dynasties, the Ottoman dynasty is the only dynasty that survived until today. In 1296, Osman announced himself as Sultan of the Sӧğϋt that is situated near Bursa and that is where he found the Ottoman State. Under the rule of Orhan, the sultan’s successor, Ottoman state started its golden ages. The new Sultan made great achievements by expanding its territory to promote other areas like art, science, and commerce. He also built up Janissaries which were well trained soldiers that stand on guard at the state. The territory sped throughout Europe, Asian, and finally Istanbul which was called Constantinople. Constantinople was originally discovered by Greek and it was the headquarters of the Roman Empire. Therefore, when the dynasty took over Constantinople, it made a name for itself.

However, everything started to go downhill in the 17th century and became worse when the World War started. In the war, the dynasty combined power with Germany and British but when the British betrayed them by joining the France, Russia, and Italy forming the Allied Power which it gave a huge negative impact to the dynasty. In order to avoid further disadvantage, Ottoman dynasty took the peace treaty that signified the partition of Turkey. This forced the vulnerable Turkey set up by forming its parliament which deleted the ruling Sultanas. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk became the first president of the newly establish Turkey and his first action was to form a new secular republic country from the pieces left behind by the Ottoman dynasty.

Turkey is the only country where declared religion does not play any part in the government ruling of the country which is a welcome sight to visitors. Besides this, the second common language in the country is English apart from its official language, Turkish. Turks are patriotic folks and they respect their country’s flag. To add on, the hospitality that was being practice among Turks still survive among the nation. When all these factors are combined together, this maks Turkey an optimum tourist destination. Another interesting point about Turkey is that it has the mixture of Eastern and Western culture. In Turkey, one can still found its traditional music which was originated from the Palace culture and the instruments used in the music performance also generated from the past. Among the repertoires are the religious songs that are performed as Sufi music. Apart from music, Turks have their traditional folk dances which vary from region to region but they still share share the colorful costumes, their rhythmic beats as well as the elegances in the dancing. An eample of such is the Çayda Çira and Belly dancing. Western arts and culture started to creep in the beginning of 18th century bringing in orchestra, opera, ballet and fine arts.
Turkish food is the well-known to the world because of the uniqueness in its recipes, ingredients, flavors, and tastes. This uniqueness derived from the influence from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Middle East. There are few cuisines in Turkey, the Palace cuisine found in Istanbul, and some local cuisines in Anatolia that spread throughout the region. Freshness is very important in Turkish food therefore everything is made fresh. Seafood and fish is common in Turkey because it has the Black Sea up north and Mediterranean Sea down south. When going out for a meal, you woud start with a starter that has the mixture of hot and cold like soup and meze. Meze is a selection of small dishes. Then comes the main course which is either meat or fish as well as a healthy salad using olive oil and lemon juice as its dressing. Kebab is a popular dish and snack in Turkey. It is prepared in various ways and for those who love hot and spicy food, they should try the “Adana kebab” that is made from lamb with additional hot peppers and spices. But for those who do not compromise with hot food, they should try the “Bursa kebab” that has slices of dӧner meat that can be either lamb or chicken laid over a freshly baked flat bread covered with tomato sauce and yogurt. Dӧner meat is prepared by the technique of rotating roast.

There are a few holidays that are important to the Turks. The first is Victory day that falls on August 31. This celebration marks the victory over invading forces in 1922 where Turkey is on motion to gain its independence. The next important holiday in Turkey is the Republic Day. The celebration serves as a remembrance when Mustafa Kemal, the first president of Turkey, declared Turkey as a republic country giving the country the name it bares today, the Republic of Turkey. Besides the patriotic celebration, Turkey also celebrates its religious festival. The Ramazan Bayrami and Kurban Bayrami. Ramazan Bayrami, also called Seker Bayrami, is a three day festival celebrated at the end of the fast in the Ramadan month. Ramadan is the fasting event that lasts for a month and the purpose of this fasting is to make Muslims aware of the poor when they experience hunger. During this festival, candies are given to families, friends, and visitors. Kurban Bayrami is called the sacrifice holiday where sheep are slaughtered and the meat is distributed among the poor.

Study Tour to Turkey

2011-08-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

• 9 days/8 nights accommodations in 4 star hotels,
4 nts. Istanbul, 2 nts. Cappadocia, 2 nts. Izmir
• 8 breakfasts, 3 dinners
• All airline flights including international and domestic
(Additional fuel charges and taxes may be added at time of ticketing)
• Services of private licensed tour guide,
Dos Plumas Travel (a Texas owned agency)
• All ground transportation as stated in itinerary
• Admission to sights and museums
• Whirling Dervish Night
• Gratuities to guides and drivers
• Travel insurance
Not Included: US passport and Turkey visa at cost of $20 paid at the airport in Istanbul
Optional hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia

COST: $3,900 pp/double

$350 single supplement
Deposit: $800 due by Oct. 1, 2011
(all payments by check or MO)
Final payment due December 17, 2011

Upcoming Study Tour

2011-08-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

TWU’s EMBA Study Tour to Turkey - March 16-25, 2012

Click here for more information and to view the flier!

To check space available, reserve that space and make application, contact Karen Bluethman at hottours@sbcglobal.net or 512-345-2043.

To begin the process to secure an emergency loan, contact Gloria Blair in the financial aide office at gblair@twu.edu or 940-898-3067.
For departmental assistance following contact with financial aid, contact Melissa Cooper at mcooper6@twu.edu or 940-898-2105.

Tips for Study Abroad Travels

2011-08-18T07:38:00.000-07:00

Helpful tips to prepare you for your time studying abroad - budget, safety, shopping, and more!

Get an International Student ID card (ISIC)!

• This little card is only US$22 but it will save you $100s all over the world. For starters, use it to get foreign currency at the airport COMMISSION FREE! That's pretty much like gold. ISIC will also save you money on sightseeing, restaurants, museum admission, movies, and more!

Set a Weekly Budget

• You'll open a bank account locally. Whether you plan to live off your debit card or want to mostly use cash, decide a set amount of money to spend the first few weeks. That will help you get used to the value of the foreign currency compared to what you're used to spending at home. Then you can adjust accordingly and will have a good handle on budgeting for the time you're there.

Bus/Subway Passes

• Consider buying a monthly bus or subway (Underground, Metro) pass! Most public transportation, especially in Europe, is highly efficient and you'll love it. Otherwise, just walk. Just remember that cabs can get really expensive if that's all you're taking.

Protect Your Stuff

• Keep your passport and other important documents safely hidden. You're staying put for a while so you don't need to carry this stuff around. Also, study abroad students will have an ID of some sort from the university they're going to. Between that and your ISIC, you're covered.

• Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

Toiletries

• Take travel-size bottles of shampoo, etc with you but plan to buy the big stuff after you arrive. Hauling full bottles of shampoo, conditioner, soap, face soap, and hair product can really weigh your bags down.

Souvenirs

• Don't buy all of your souvenirs when you first get there. You'll be in the country for a while and have plenty of time to shop. Plus, you'll want to buy souvenirs while you travel.

Ask Around

• Talk to other people in your program and get tips from them on what to do. They might know the cheapest place to get your laundry done, eat good food, use the Internet, etc.

JOURNAL!

• Keep a daily journal to note what all you're doing. Even if it's something as simple as "Studied at the library then hit Theo's for a kebab take-away. Got double the sauce. Delicious!" You'll really get a kick out reading your journal years later.

Bring Pictures

• Bring pictures of family and friends that you can look at whenever you get homesick. It will happen occasionally and having pictures to look at will help it pass.

Guidebooks

• Guidebooks are always a good way to learn about any country you plan on living in or visiting.

Don’t over-program

• The additional physical activity undertaken during travel can be quite strenuous, and sudden changes in diet and climate can have serious health consequences for the unprepared traveler. Take your time enjoying the new and exciting country! Don’t try to fill every day with crazy adventures.

Pack wisely

• Don’t pack so much that you will end up lugging around heavy suitcases. Dress conservatively—a wardrobe that is flashy may attract the attention of thieves or con artists, while clothing that is very casual may result in being barred from some tourist sites overseas. Include a change of clothing in your carry-on luggage.

Ireland Study

2011-08-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

Check out the awesome pics from this summer's Study Abroad to Ireland!
CLICK HERE!

Ireland Itinerary

2011-06-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

Itinerary for: TWU School of Management

Dublin, Killarney, Galway, & Ennis Study Tour

June 28-July 06, 2011

28 June 2011

Departure on Continental Airlines from connection in Newark to Dublin

Day 1, June 29, 2011- Welcome to Dublin

Group arrival at Dublin Airport at 7am. The day proceeds with day tour in Dublin City before checking into Wynn’s Hotel.

Day 2, June 30, 2011

Business appointments scheduled in morning. Participants will explore the city to gain deeper understanding and the chance to experience the daily life of Dublin including a tour of Trinity University and the Book of Kells.

Day 3, July 01, 2011- Depart to Galway

Visit the Guinness Storehouse and marketing exposition at St. James Gate before departing to Galway. Participants will visit the Clonmacnoise and a chance to explore the city in the evening before retiring to Imperial Hotel Galway.

Day 4, July 02, 2011

Group discussion of economic factors in Ireland today. Participants will visit Connemara, Maam Cross and Recess, and Kylemore Abbey. The journey finally ends in Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara Mountains.

Day 5, July 03, 2011- Killarney

Depart to Killarney via Atlantic west coast of Clare. On the journey, participants will visit The Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Listowel and Trelee before spending the night in Killarney Towers Hotel in Killarney.

Day 6, July 04, 2011

Business appointments prior to the tour to the Ring of Kerry, Staigue fort and the mountain sheep farm where participants will witness the sheepdog demonstration, then an overnight in Killarney Towers Hotel.

Day 7, July 05, 2011- Depart to Ennis

Depart to Ennis and visit the village of Adare, Bunratty Castle and Fork Park before retreating to Old Ground Hotel.

Day 8- Farewell to Ennis

Participants will enjoy their breakfast in Ennis before departing back home.

The Irish Republic

2011-05-17T16:17:00.000-07:00

As the third largest island in Eupore, Ireland is divided into two regions. The northern part belongs to the United Kingdom and the rest belongs to the Irish Republic. The island holds 6.2 million people where 4.5 million reside in the republic while 1.7 million reside in Northern Ireland.

Before 1973, the major economic activity in Ireland was agriculture but since joining the Europe Commumity in 1973, Ireland diverted its attention from agriculture to modern industry. In 1995-2007, the republic experienced tremendous improvement economically resulting from foreign investments. During this period, the name ‘Celtic Tiger’ was given to describe this drastic economy changes. Unfortunately a year later, due to the crisis faced by Irish banks, Ireland faced a massive economic downfall as lenders failed to repay their loans. Finally, in November 2010, Ireland sought help from EU for financial rescue.

Ireland provides a vast variety of transportation from travelling by air to by sea. For those who prefer traveling by air, Ireland has five major airports and they are the Dublin Airport, Belfast International Airport, Cork Airport, Shannon Air and Ireland West Airport. Among them, Dublin Airport is the busiet and most important airport in Ireland due to the fact that Dublin is the capital of Ireland, as well as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. While on the sea, there are many engaging activities like the trading of heavy goods and transporting passangers to Great Britain from Ireland and vice versa.

Then comes the railway service. It is the most accessible transportation to people in Ireland. There are two unlimited ride passes offered by the railway company: the Eurail Pass and the Britrail Pass. Both passes offer unlimited train rides. The Eurail Pass takes travellers to nearly all the European railway. The Britrail Pass works only in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Due to the geographic location, the whole Ireland experiences maritime temperature climate that spares Ireland from experiencing extreme temperature. January, February, and March are the coldest months and May and June are the sunniest months while December is the wettest month.

Being one of the six Celtic nations in Europe, Ireland experiences a culture that derives from a combination of different cultures from ancient immigrant and influences, such as the Gaelic, Anglicisation, and Americanisation. This significant combination of cultures is made clear in the Celtic knotwork.

The national language in Ireland is Irish but it is English that is used in everyday life. English language was originally introduced in the 12th century by immigrants and under the Tudor dynasty. In the 16th century, English became the official language in all administration, business, trade and the landed genry. Since then, English has become the common language in Ireland.

Apart from all the modern industry and advancement, Ireland still practices agriculture industry. Since the arrival of potatoes in the 16th century, the main diet in Ireland revolves around potatoes specially during the economy downfall in 19th century. One family eats an average of 18 stone (242 pounds) a week. As the economy improved, people become more aware of practicing healthier diets and this led the emergence of a new cruisine called the ‘New Irish Cuisine’ which is based on fresh vegetable, seafood, traditional soda breads, and hand-made cheese. This eventually boosted the agriculture industry.

Luck of the Irish!

2011-01-06T13:35:00.000-08:00

The School of Management is conducting a study tour of Ireland June 28-July 6. Maybe you can catch a little luck of the Irish! Click on the link below for more information.

Ireland Study Tour!

Beijing trip postponed

2011-01-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

The Beijing study tour that was scheduled for March 17-25 has been postponed.

More pictures from beautiful France!

2010-11-22T07:23:00.000-08:00

Here are some more pictures from France. Thank you to Amanda Davila who provided the pictures!

From Paris with love.....

2010-11-19T09:07:00.000-08:00

A group from the School of Management recently went on the Paris Provence and Beyond study tour. The study tour was conducted October 4-13, and it sounds like it was a great time! When asked about the study tour, one member of the group said: "The study abroad trip was an eye opening experience that changed my view of the business world and life in general. We got to visit the most amazing sights like the Eiffel tower, Louvre, Cathedral de Notre Dame, Monte Carlo and the Popes Palace. Every place we visited was filled with beauty and history, I would highly recommend taking a study abroad trip, I truly fell madly in love with France!" Below are pictures from this amazing trip!

Beijing, Xian & Shanghai

2010-09-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

TWU’s EMBA Study Tour to Beijing, Xian & Shanghai

Paris Provence & Beyond Study Tour, October 4th-13th, 2010

2010-09-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

Egypt Study Tour

2010-04-13T14:36:00.000-07:00

Remember to keep checking the TWU Study tour website for more information about upcoming study tours!

Here are just a few pictures from the SOM's most recent tour to Egypt!

Study Tour News

2010-02-15T10:39:00.000-08:00

As the Egypt group prepares for their exotic and exciting trip more information on other study tours is coming soon!
Make sure to keep up with the SOM Study Tour Website to see if somewhere they are headed grabs your attention!
Remember, students and Alumni welcome!

Egypt & The Nile Study Tour

2009-11-10T13:03:00.000-08:00

Remember the Study Tour to Egypt registration dates are approaching! You must register for the course and the tour to participate. For more information check out the School of Management Study Tour website.

Germany Study Tour October 2009

2009-10-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

The October Study Tour to Germany got back recently and would like to share a few pictures from their trip.

Remember, Egypt Study Tour sign up dates are coming up soon. Check out the SOM Study Tour website for more information.

Costa Rica Study Tour

2009-05-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

The School of Management recently went on a study tour to Costa Rica, March 15-22, 2009.
Make sure you stay tuned for more information about upcoming Study Tours with the SOM!

These are a few pictures from Dr. Rylander of their trip.

TWU School of Management Study Tour to Germany

2009-05-04T13:26:00.000-07:00

Come join the School of Management for an exciting Study Tour adventure to Germany, October 7-16, 2009.

Experience a Rhine Cruise, Neuschwanstein Castle, Olympic Stadium and much more!

Germany Study Tour Information

For those who are unfamiliar with study tours, you can take this for course credit (3 hours, which you can substitute for one of your electives). Please try to reserve your spot soon as we have limited seats available. Contact Barbara Meriwether at 940-898-2105 or bmeriwether@twu.edu if you have any questions.

Business Travel

2007-04-06T07:16:00.000-07:00

http://businesstravel.about.com/
Tips and Tricks for Business Travel

http://www.nbta.org/
National Business Travel Association