It is difficult to summarize our sojourn to Turkey in just a few sentences. How can a person summarize the fact that she has new knowledge, new perspectives, and new understandings? How can she explain that although her life from the outside will look very similar to how it appeared before her trip, on the inside her world is quite different? How does one articulate that some kind of metamorphosis has taken place when one is still processing and searching to define what that metamorphosis is? Traveling with strangers who quickly became friends in an unfamiliar country, I was very impressed with everyone's willingness to learn. We wanted to learn about the history of Turkey, gain insight into the meaning of the various sites that were of particular importance to people of one faith tradition or another, understand the various faith traditions, and get to know each other as people of a particular faith and culture and as individuals. And then there was the incredible hospitality of our hosts. To be so welcomed and embraced by people so different - in language, culture, and religion - yet in many ways very similar was simultaneously inspiring and overwhelming. It was a lot to absorb in a short amount of time. Actually, I think the processing has only begun. If somebody is looking forward to an interesting vacation, they can definitely go to Turkey. However, if somebody is looking forward to an experience that has the potential to open their minds and souls in profound ways, I recommend traveling to Turkey with the Philadelphia Dialogue Forum.

Dr. Deborah Schussler
Professor of Education
Villanova University

I'll begin by saying thank you, although it seems like an inadequate way to express my gratitude for this extraordinary experience. What made this trip so special was not only the opportunity to visit many beautiful historic and religious sites in Turkey, but to do so in the company of an interfaith group all concerned with the same issues of understanding and education. Then add the home visits and conversations with many Turkish people involved in education, health care, business and you have a rich experience of many layers and dimensions. The experience helped dispel some of my assumptions and prejudices about Islam and Muslim people who are portrayed negatively in the media. I felt a strong sense of hope from meeting many Muslim people as concerned with interfaith dialog and understanding as we are. I feel very fortunate to have been the recipient of your group's extraordinary hospitality.

Ms. Gwen Borowsky
Director, National Liberty Museum

This was the most amazing vacation that we have ever had. We were overwhelmed with the friendliness and generosity of the Turkish people. They invited us into their homes and treated us as honored guests and then gave us gifts as well. We really felt that we should be the ones giving the gifts. We were very interested to hear that people of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths lived together in Turkey for centuries and got along well with each other. We learned that the Muslims welcomed the Jews when Christians were persecuting them during the Inquisition. It seems that the Muslims showed a greater compassion for humanity than we Christians did. What was also great was the fellowship that developed between the members on the tour. The mix of Muslims, Jews, Catholics and Protestants worked very well. The sites we visited had something of interest for everyone. Thank you for the most wonderful vacation!

Betty and Barrie Eichhorn

My trip to Turkey was a profound Faith experience. I was inspired by proof that a modern preacher, Fethullah Gulen could truly influence so many. The Turkish educators, administrators, sponsors and families were fortunate to meet all truly live the call of Fethullah Gulen…and all serve as wonderful models of interfaith dialogue. I believe every member of our group was touched. My trip to Turkey also left me impressed with country itself. From our cradle of civilization experiences to our waterfall restaurant to the caves of Cappadocia to pot tossing to ice cream as an art form to (of course) the Grand Bazaar, Turkey has won my heart. Thank you for this extraordinary experience. Please be assured that we will be delighted to assist in any way when a group from Turkey comes to the US. AS my friend (Ghuila?) from our host’s home in Izmir so eloquently said…We are like the platter of fruit. We are all produced from the earth, we grow, and we are all different, but when we are put together, we make something very beautiful.

Ms. Regina Lennox
Philanthropy Director

Last Sunday, July 23, 2006, during a Catholic mass that I participated, the readings included part of a letter from Saint Paul to the Ephesians. I thought right away of Ephesus that we visited during the visit to Turkey. It was so inspiring for being able to relate Saint Paul’s letter to its geographical and historical context that I would not have experienced without the visit made possible by Dialog Forum and its sponsors. I felt enriched by the friendships developed with our Turkish Muslim hosts during the trip. Their hospitality and warmth contributed the most to my memory of Turkey. It was amazing that I learned so much during the one-week visit to Turkey. It expanded my knowledge and experience about Turkey, its people, religion, cultural heritage and – to some extent – its society without me having to attend any lecture or PowerPoint show on these topics. There may not be a more effective way of learning these – given the one week time - than the trip itself, including its itinerary, selected sites and cities, and the opportunities to meet and interact with local hosts and institutions. Finally, I will not forget the colorful veils of Muslim women, the faith shown by praying Muslims in the mosques, and the thousands of visitors everywhere we went – affirming to me in a unique way the beauty of Turkey as a country and the openness of Islam to embrace people of diverse culture and faith.

Mr. Quy D. Nguyen
Economist

Turkey is a beautiful country that lives up to its description of being the gateway to Europe on one hand and to Asia on the other. The trip not only reconnected us with the past (which we only saw in textbooks before) but also introduced us to the Turkey of today and its people. We were touched by the warmth, hospitality and generosity of the people. In a way, the trip was also an exercise in interreligious understanding as we engaged in conversations, and observed the intersections of the Abrahamic traditions.

Dr. Vivienne Angeles
Professor of Religion
Lasalle University

I haven't been able to stop talking about the trip since I got home and can't believe it was only 8 days long. We took in so much in that time, and I was so thrilled by the beauty and variety of the landscape and the overwhelming kindness and warmth of everyone that we met. For me as a Jewish woman to be able to sit and talk with Moslems and Christians about the details of our lives was a life changing experience that I will never forget. I learned so much about both Turkish and Islamic culture, and loved every site that we saw with the guides. The home hospitality gave me great hope, knowing that people from such diverse backgrounds could break bread together. We may not have been able to understand our national languages, but I think we spoke the same language of the heart. Thank you for a memorable trip.

Ms. Tobie Hoffman
Assistant Director
Drexel University
English Language Center