Istanbul, 2025

During our internship at the German Embassy School in Istanbul, our awareness of the Erasmus principles—sustainability, participation, and inclusion—was significantly sharpened by our experiences in both the school environment and the urban surroundings. We had the opportunity to observe various aspects of sustainability in the city. While we noticed some positive developments, there were also significant challenges that still need to be addressed.

One of the first things that caught my attention was Istanbul’s approach to renewable energy. We saw solar panels on some buildings and even a few wind farms outside the city, which showed that Turkey is making efforts to transition toward cleaner energy sources. However, despite these initiatives, we learned that the country still heavily relies on coal and natural gas, which raises concerns about long-term sustainability.

Air pollution was another major issue that we couldn’t ignore. In certain areas, especially during rush hours, the air felt thick due to heavy traffic and industrial emissions. There were several days when we couldn’t leave the Kindergarten due to a pollution alarm. While the public transportation system—including buses, metro, and ferries—is well developed and widely used, many people still prefer private cars, contributing to congestion and pollution.

Waste management was something we became particularly aware of. In some districts, we saw recycling bins and campaigns promoting waste separation, but in others, there was little infrastructure for proper waste disposal. Plastic pollution was evident, especially near the Bosporus, where we often saw trash floating in the water.

Water scarcity also seemed to be a concern. We were told that Istanbul has experienced declining water levels in its reservoirs due to irregular rainfall and increasing demand. At our workplaces, people were conscious about saving water, but in daily life, we didn’t notice strong public awareness campaigns about this issue.

Another thing that stood out to me was urbanization. Istanbul is a rapidly growing city, and construction is happening everywhere. While modern, eco-friendly buildings exist, we also saw many areas where green spaces were being replaced by new developments. This made us wonder about the balance between urban growth and environmental protection.

Overall, our experience in Istanbul made us realize that sustainability is a growing but still challenging topic in Turkey. There are promising initiatives, especially in renewable energy, public transportation, and waste reduction, but problems like pollution, water scarcity, and rapid urbanization still require more attention. It was interesting to see both the progress and the areas that need improvement, and this experience has deepened our understanding of sustainability in a big, dynamic city like Istanbul.

During our internship at the German Embassy School and Kindergarten in Istanbul, we also engaged with the importance of inclusion in educational settings. The school follows a reform pedagogical approach that emphasizes independent and hands-on learning, ensuring that all children, regardless of their individual abilities, are supported. However, we quickly realized that inclusion is not just about pedagogy but also about the physical accessibility of educational spaces. The school was housed in a temporary building that lacked essential accessibility features such as ramps, elevators, or specialized facilities for children with physical disabilities, just like the Kindergarten building, which was only accessible via stairs and steps.

Beyond the school environment, we also observed that Istanbul as a city presents significant challenges for people with disabilities. Many sidewalks were uneven, public transportation was not fully accessible, and there were hardly any guiding systems for individuals with visual impairments. These barriers make everyday life more difficult and limit equal participation in society.

This experience made us realize that inclusion must go beyond educational support—it must also be reflected in urban planning and infrastructure. It is not enough to foster individual abilities if the environment itself creates structural obstacles. Our internship raised our awareness of these challenges and reinforced our commitment to advocating for a more inclusive and accessible educational landscape. We have learned that breaking down barriers, both in mindset and in physical spaces, is essential to creating a society where everyone has equal opportunities.