2008 Summer Camp was made possible with the sponsorship of Pacifica Institute between the 3rd and the 14th of July visiting Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Ankara and Urgup. During the eleven day tour, UCLA had matches with the Turkish Champions, Gazi University, Antalyaspor and Team of Istanbul. In addition the UCLA Soccer Team met with the State Minister in charge of Sports in Turkey, Murat Baseskioglu in his office. The trip was magnificent according to the players in the team which attracted the attention of the local media. The participants of the trip not only visited the historical and cultural sites of the cities but were affected by the generosity and the hospitality of the Turkish people.
The short interwievs illustrate the players’ point of wiev of the trip. Natasha Oxenburg-Team Captain. I am graduating this year and it was my last year and I am going back home with a fresh new experience. I was so happy to be a part of this trip.
Emily Lubin-Team Captain; I am leaving Turkey with words unable to express my sympathy and respect for the people. I thank Pacifica Institute for making this trip possible.
Gretchen Miller; I thought highly of our coaches Ercan and Cemre, now that I believe that all Turkish people are good. Lauren Shoup; I would be hesitant to share the moisterizing cream with my roommates and I was touched by the Turks competing to share with us. Bridget Larsen; You not only sponsored 18 players and not only touched our hearts. We will be talking about you to our friends and acquaintances and made them feel like as if they joined this trip.
All the players are touched by the trip. This journey marks an indelible part in their memories and contributed to Turkey to be well-known among the foreign people.