Deniz Erdal is a FLAS Fellow and TransAtlantic Masters (TAM) student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an intern at the Bridge to Türkiye Fund (BTF).
When I first set off for Çeşme to visit the new Shipley-Altındağ dorms under construction at the Çeşme Campus of Ege University (EÜ), a public University in İzmir, Türkiye, I kept wondering why the Bridge to Türkiye Fund (BTF) would be working on such a project in Çeşme. Afterall, BTF is an organization geared towards helping underprivileged students in Türkiye and at first glance Çeşme is hardly underprivileged. Indeed Çeşme, located on western edge of İzmir province and marking the northern edge of the Turkish riviera, is a town known more for its pristine beaches, yachts, and celebrity summer homes. This, I would soon discover, was precisely why Çeşme needed the help in the first place.
The EÜ Çeşme Campus, located on a steep hill overlooking the Aegean, has two main buildings, the largest of which is the main building of the EÜ Çeşme Faculty of Tourism. The other key building is the recently completed Shipley-Altındağ Gastronomic Academy, as seen in the feature documentary film Feyza’s Kitchen. Upon arriving at the campus I met with Feyza Shipley-Altındağ, the primary benefactor of the gastronomic academy. Together we went on a tour of the new dorms, now almost complete. It was here that I discovered the difficulties faced by students currently studying at the Çeşme Faculty of Tourism and the depth of this project’s impact.
Currently there are roughly 400 students enrolled at the EÜ Çeşme Campus. This number is projected to increase significantly to roughly 600 students within the upcoming 24-25 academic year with the new Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts now also located on the campus. Given the expensive nature of Çeşme many students struggle to fınd affordable housing, indeed the current publicly funded dorms only accommodate roughly 15% of the student population. Rents in Çeşme for a 100 sq meter (roughly 1,000 sq ft) are on average roughly 30,000 Turkish Lira a month (roughly $910). This number is simply unaffordable for many students who rely on scholarships and allowances from their families. Some students find accommodations at local hotels during the off season but are then forced to leave during peak seasons, leaving some students with no other option but to set up tents at campsites. As a current graduate student myself I am deeply appreciative of how sizable an impact housing can have on students.
Walkıng through, I was deeply impressed by the facilities afforded to students. The new dorms are composed of two identical two story buildings; one for women and the other for men. Each building contains 27 two person rooms accommodating 54 students. Rooms are a sizable 15 sq meters (roughly 160 sq ft), and will feature beds, desks, and wardrobes.The building is also equipped with central heating and cooling, a laundry room with washers and dryers, and corridor style bathrooms and showers on each floor, including disability accessible showers and stalls on the first floor. Additionally being located in a region prone to seismic activity, the new dorms feature the latest earthquake technology in their construction. The new dorm facilities also feature areas for recreational activities including a garden and a basketball court with a magnificent view overlooking the water. Of course, though not a part of the campus the pristine waters of the Aegean are a mere five minute walk from the facilities.
The new dorm faculties are expected to be fully furnished and ready by September, just in time for the start of the new academic year. Not only will this project provide more affordable housing to students, but it will also provide students who previously would have had to forgo their enrollment due to financial burdens the opportunity to get a college degree. By providing affordable housing for students, BTF is helping to reduce the financial burden for students and their families, fostering a more equitable learning environment.
Before leaving, I had the opportunity to sit down with Mrs. Altındağ-Shipley. She spoke of how happy she felt to give back to her local community. She also spoke of how there was a significant demand for educated professionals in the tourism industry. She hopes that by improving the accessibility of education, more young and educated professionals will be able to uplift themselves and contribute to the local economy by filling the current staffing shortages.
The Shipley-Altındağ Dorms project in Çeşme exemplifies BTF’s dedication to supporting underprivileged students in Türkiye. By addressing hidden needs, BTF is making a profound difference. For me, this visit highlighted the importance of looking beyond appearances and supporting initiatives that foster education for all.
