ACCEESS to Future – LC Istanbul ITÜ Dezember 2009

The attentive IACES-er knows: The International Association of Civil Engineering Students was founded in 1989 in Delft (Netherlands). This means that IACES turned 20 years old in 2009 - and this anniversary was to be celebrated in style at ACCESS in the European Capital of Culture. Almost 40 members from 15 different LCs from 10 countries traveled to the event. The colorful bunch corresponded entirely to the image of Istanbul: a diverse meeting of all kinds of cultures and lifestyles, the interface between Asia and Europe.

The program promised a lot, from major construction sites to interesting lectures, a tour of the Bosphorus and the - subsequently added - guided tours of the city's shrines, mosques and the big bazaar. Every evening we studied Istanbul's nightlife in detail. We were able to experience parties on rooftops, in smoky karaoke bars, unaffordable clubs and small, cozy sheds. Of course, the GB and Coordination Center were also (re-)elected as part of the Academic Congress of Civil Engineering Students (ACCESS).

The birthday celebration was kicked off by a large, delicious birthday cake featuring the international logo. Accompanied by a rare natural spectacle - snowfall, a rare experience especially for the Spanish and Portuguese - we celebrated the twentieth anniversary of our association.

After a sleep-deprived but very exciting week in one of the largest cities in the world, the two of us from Karlsruhe flew back to the snow chaos in Europe - which earned us a few hours of sleep on the tarmac.

We would like to thank the 2009 GB for their good work and wish the new one every success for 2010!

Text: Merlin Best