Education
At Istanbul Center, we notice that one of the main duties and purposes of human life is to seek understanding. It is through education that we seek to understand and provide understanding. We also notice that education is not a goal, but a process continuing from the cradle to the grave. Istanbul Center provides a variety of educational programming for both adults and children.
Adult Programming
Distinguished Speaker Series
Istanbul Center hosts the monthly Distinguished Speaker Series whereby audiences obtain a first-hand experience of local, national and international leaders. This is the public’s chance to come together with other members of the local community to enjoy a lecture and discussion period with these distinguished guest speakers. We invite local, national and international community leaders to speak on a topic within their expertise. This topic is determined between Istanbul Center and the speaker. We invite those community leaders such as government officials, professors, community activists, writers, artists and many others.
Istanbul Dialogue Nights
Our monthly Istanbul Dialogue Nights are held every second Thursday of the month. Complimentary Turkish cuisine is a part of enjoying this program as we relax and chat about a variety of topics from culture, current affairs, art, history and religion. The Midtown office will host another set of Istanbul Dialogue Nights coming soon.
Seminars, Lectures, Book Signings, etc.
Istanbul Center collaborates with regional, national and international partners to provide the state of Georgia and the SOutheast innovative opportunities for growth through panels, conferences, lectures and book signings. The international conference on the "Alliance of Civilizations: Turkey at the Crossroads of Cultures" took place in January of 2009 and was co-sponsored by Kennesaw State University and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Secretariat in New York.
Turkish Language Classes for Adults
Want to speak in code? Learn a new langauge? Married to a Turk? Turkish is one of the most-spoken langauges of the world that up until recently held a low profile until Turkey's development as one of the top international players in the world. These classes help beginners, as well as more advanced students, learn Turkish at their own pace. Students take these classes for many different reasons, such as for career purposes, an approaching trip to Turkey or just for the love of learning.
Children’s Programming
Istanbul Center’s Annual Art & Essay Contest
As a contribution to the education system in our area, Istanbul Center organizes its annual Art and Essay Contest for middle and high-school students. The Center asks students to think “outside the box” and contribute ideas and works of art to better our society. The art component of the project focuses on a juried art exhibition judged by art educators at Kennesaw State University. The written essay component of the project allows students to focus their thoughts concisely into a short essay on a topic related to current social issues. The essays are judged by professors of Georgia State University’s College of Education.
Annual Turkish Olympiad of the Southeast
The biggest competition for young adults and kids throughout Turkey is called the International Turkish Olympiad. The finals of the International Turkish Olympiad are held every year in Istanbul and have been since 2003. Students from more than 110 countries participated in 2008’s International Turkish Olympiad. Istanbul Center strives to support the broad usage of the Turkish language by rewarding the best examples in learning, speaking, writing, and using Turkish. The Olympiad consists of three steps, including a local selection process, semi-finals and a final round.
Students compete in the following categories:
Category A: Turkish as a Foreign Language for Teens:
Singing Competition
Poetry Reading Competition
Special Skills Competition
Folk Dancing Competition
Category B: Turkish as a Foreign Language for Adults:
Singing Completion
Poetry Reading Competition
Proficiency in Turkish Language Competition
Category C: Turkish as a Native Language for Teens:
Singing Competition
Poetry Reading Competition
Language Skills and Effective Writing Competition
Annual International Children’s Festival
Every Spring in celebration of Turkey’s national holiday for children (April 23), Istanbul Center organizes its Annual International Children’s Festival for kids K-12 and their families. The festival provides food, fun activities and a relaxed family atmosphere. The festival is usually held outdoors at a local park in Gwinnett County.
K-12 Classes
We offer after-school tutoring, weekend classes, summer schools as well as PSAT/SAT Prep Classes and art classes. There are Turkish Language Classes for kids offered at our Norcross office. There are also certain seminars and lectures geared towards an adolescent audience.
Fields Trips and Camps
Field trips and camps organized by Istanbul Center also focus on learning and having fun at the same time. During their time at Istanbul Center, students learn about sharing, friendship, and how to live in peace with others. Our volunteer teachers, who become the role models for our students, play a critical role in shaping future generations.