Maybe it was the appeal of the venue — Istanbul, with its rich history and its unique location straddling two continents — but equally appealing was the opportunity to come together with people we used to hang out with at UE 30-plus years ago! Whatever the reason, maybe both and more, on the last days of September 2025, 33 ex-UE ISC (International Students’ Club) members — consisting of alumni, international exchange, and Intensive English students — traveled from different parts of the world to meet up, catch up on missed life events, rekindle old friendships, exchange memories, and party like it’s 1994! It was a blast! So much so that the next one is already being planned.
Why Istanbul, and Why Now — After 30 Years of Nothing?
Well, why not? The whole meetup idea started simply. I had a yoga retreat planned in Greece in mid-September, and since I was flying to Athens via Turkish Airlines, I could take advantage of a free layover in Istanbul on my way back to Kuala Lumpur. The more I thought about it, the more the idea appealed to me. Not only would it be cool to see Istanbul again decades after my first visit, but it would also be great to catch up with some of my Turkish friends — many of whom I’d long lost touch with. And if I was interested in meeting up in this amazing city, maybe others would be too. So, I decided to reach out to a few people who had previously mentioned wanting a reunion. Their responses, I figured, would determine whether this meetup actually happened.
The First Messages
It was Friday afternoon, February 28, 2025, when I texted the first person I thought might say yes: Mohammad GTi (we used to differentiate the Mohammads by the cars they drove back then). The last time we’d exchanged messages was February 7, 2023, and the last time we met in person was in Abu Dhabi in December 2016. I remembered his enthusiasm for a UE meetup, so he was my first message.
Me: Wanna meet in Istanbul Sept 26 or 27? Let’s get some UE people together.
Mohd: Hi, good morning my friend.
Me: I think it’s possible.
Mohd: Let us plan something.
My internal reaction: YESSS!!! Let’s see who else says yes.
Next, I texted Hayato, who lives in Shizuoka, Japan. I see him at least once a year — we’re buddies, almost family, since we “share” a sister, Michiru. I figured he’d be a certain yes.
Me: Wanna meet in Istanbul Sept 26 or 27? Let’s get some UE people together.
Hayato: Hey! That sounds nice. I’ll check my schedule.
Me: Let’s do it. Ask Ko (his BFF at UE).
Hayato: Got it. Let me talk to Ko.
My internal reaction: I think it’s a yes? Not sure.
A week later, on Friday, March 7, 2025, I reached out to the third person I had in mind: Inna, who lives in Omsk, Russia.
Me: Hey. Can you do Istanbul Sept 26–27, 2025? Small UE meetup.
Inna: Sounds great! Who is coming?
My internal reaction: YES!
The Planning Begins
We had interest — time to plan the details! My initial idea was simple: a casual get-together on Friday night (Sept 26) at a bar or café, and then dinner together on Saturday (Sept 27), preferably somewhere with a view. I figured our Turkish friends could help with venues and accommodations — and they absolutely delivered.
On March 10, Hayato and I started a WhatsApp group, adding whoever we were in touch with. We encouraged everyone to add others, and the group quickly grew. As questions rolled in about costs and activities, we created a smaller planning group with our Turkish friends to handle the details. I texted each of the guys — many of whom I hadn’t spoken to since I left UE — and every single one responded eagerly and warmly.
• Noyan offered to help with logistics and mentioned he owned several hotels in Istanbul.
• Çınar immediately shared his Spotify playlist (Yellow House 2.0 — IYKYK) and suggested a nostalgic venue.
• Cemal told me to reach out to Muammer (MK), who owns a travel agency and hotels.
When I texted MK, he jumped in right away — offering hotel discounts, city tour ideas, and to organize airport transfers for everyone. What a blessing. I felt we were in very good hands. A Zoom meeting followed, where we finalized the weekend’s plan:
• Friday: Dinner cruise on the Bosphorus (MK’s idea)
• Saturday: City tour and “Yellow House”–themed party that night
I volunteered to design a PDF itinerary with live links to share in the WhatsApp group. To keep things on track, we set May 15 as the RSVP deadline.
The Itinerary
Once the itinerary went out, people began booking flights and hotels. We were thrilled when Heidi Gregori-Gahan (former Director of International Services and Study Abroad) and her husband Dr. Daniel Gahan announced they’d be joining us. Heidi was like a “mother” to many international students, so she remains very dear to all of us. In the months leading up to the meetup, our WhatsApp group (75+ members) became a place to share old photos, music, and memories. It was wonderful to reconnect with people we once saw every day but who now live across oceans.
Istanbul, at Last
September finally arrived. I’d been busy with my yoga retreat and travels in Greece, so I didn’t think much about Istanbul until I landed at IST on September 23 with a few non-UE friends. Michiru and Reiko Ishikawa arrived from Tokyo earlier that day, and Ruri Hirasawa and Hayato arrived the next morning. That evening, we had dinner overlooking the Bosphorus, and it felt surreal — after months of planning, we were finally here.
Over the next few days, more UE friends arrived. Those who came early enjoyed relaxed sightseeing, sometimes guided by MK (who was the best unofficial tour guide ever). On Thursday afternoon, MK took some of us to visit Emrah’s resting place (he tragically passed away in 2002). At the cemetery, we reunited with Murat and Noyan — a bittersweet, surreal moment. From there, we went to an impromptu BBQ at Çınar’s house, joined by more arrivals shuttled in by bus. The guys hadn’t lost their touch — there was a DJ (sometimes Çınar himself), food, drinks, a smoke machine, lounge chairs, and a dance floor. It was the perfect first-night reunion.
The Official Kickoff
Friday evening marked the official start of the UE Meetup with a Bosphorus dinner cruise. Everyone met at the hotel lobby at 7 p.m., and we were transported in a party bus to the port. Though the long tables made mingling tricky, the views were stunning, and the live dance performances added cultural flair. After returning to the hotel, some went to bed, while others stayed up chatting until dawn.
Saturday was a full day. After a delicious Turkish breakfast, we split into two buses for the city tour. Some of us explored off-the-beaten-path spots with MK, while others dove into the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market later in the day. By the afternoon, MK had lost his voice — and we’d lost a couple of people in the bazaar! After making sure everyone got back safely, we had about 90 minutes to rest before regrouping for the Yellow House–themed gala night. The venue, about 45 minutes from the hotel, had a spacious outdoor courtyard. As we arrived, we were greeted by familiar ’90s house tracks spun by Çınar. The cool night air made for perfect dancing weather. After dinner, the dance floor filled up quickly — laughter, deep conversations, and pure nostalgia. Before we knew it, it was past midnight. Some took the first bus back, while others (including me) stayed until nearly 2 a.m. It was a perfect night — and, as always, all good things must come to an end.
Until Next Time
At our final breakfast together the next morning, conversation turned to where the next UE meetup should be. South Korea (suggested by Dennis Laffey) and Chicago were top contenders. Nothing was decided yet — but one thing’s for sure: the next one won’t take another 30 years.
Fun Facts & Side Notes
• Total attendees: 33 (22 international, 11 Turkish)
• Ruri pulled off the impossible — getting leave for more than three days (unheard of at her company). She hadn’t left Japan since 2004.
• Reiko hadn’t traveled abroad since 2007; she got a new passport just for this meetup.
• Inna brought her 17-year-old daughter — the same age she was when she first arrived at UE!
• Michiru got her husband’s permission to attend only a month and a half before.
• Dennis Laffey was in Istanbul for only two days — and said it was totally worth it.
• Beth James brought her 12-year-old daughter, who lowered our average age significantly!
• The Turkish breakfast at the hotel was incredible — what a spread.
• Eileen’s current partner Henrik met her first love, Nobu — not awkward at all.
• Vincent still rocks colorful pants, 30 years on.
• Cemal is still first on the dance floor, last one off.
• Heidi couldn’t attend (she broke her toe!) but sent UE merch via Beth — much appreciated.
• Mohammad GTi, the first to say yes, sadly couldn’t make it.
• MK was the ultimate organizer, guide, and herder — hands down the reason the meetup was a success.
• Çınar announced a “white + disco” dress code, then showed up in a Kurt Cobain flannel.
• I made a new BFF: Aris, the hotel chow, and best luggage sniffer ever.
Quotes from Attendees
“It was like getting together with my long-lost family. Yet it felt like yesterday.”
— Muammer Kaya (MK), Turkey
“My favorites were the daily breakfast with old friends around a large table and the cruise!”
— Michiru (Horike) Morita, Japan
“Mornings at home are usually super rushed. I really enjoyed the unrushed breakfasts with UE friends — I miss this the most.”
— Ruri Hirasawa, Japan
“It was a great pleasure to see all the friends and classmates after so many years. Thank you to all the organizers and the initiative.”
— Mohammed Al-Dhaheri (Mustang), UAE
“A big thank-you to MK, Susan, Çınar, and Noyan for making this reunion happen! We picked up as if we’d just seen each other in Moore Hall.”
— Joanne Tetzner, Taiwan/US
“Emrah was dancing with us in spirit. Thank you all for this reunion — every one of you has a special place in my heart.”
— Nobuyuki Namba, Japan/US
“Thank you to everyone who put in the effort to make this happen. Let’s keep in touch — see you in Japan next time!”
— Hayato Horike, Japan
“It was like traveling through time. Seeing my international family again keeps me warm in cold Siberia.”
— Inna Kozhevnikova, Russia
“My favorite part was the breakfasts and catching up. Even though decades passed, our friendships are still strong.”
— Dennis Laffey, US/South Korea
“It was my daughter’s first international trip, and everyone treated her like family. These friendships are truly one of a kind.”
— Beth James, US