The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-10
A COLLEGE FOR TURKISH GIRLS.
Line of Study Similar 10 That I'm This
Country.

From the Minneapolis Journal.)
Miss Florence A. Fensham, dean of the
American College for Girls in Constantine
pie. has arrived to spend a few days with
Miss II. Clopath, of the State University.
Miss Fensham has been connected with
the American college for seventeen years
and Miss Clopath was instructor of art in
the same institution for eight years
When Miss Fensham went to Constanti-
nople from Massachusetts, seventeen years
ago, the college had only about five teach
eTs in addition to the native teachers. Now
the staff numbers over twenty. In seven
teen years one has had d chance TO observe
the influence that the college training has
had upon the native girls and the strong.
alumnae association keeps alive the inter
est Of the students of the early days.
preparatory course Of four years is
followed by regular college course which
has recently been increased from four to
five years. The line OF study is similar TO
that pursued in the American colleges and
about 200 students are enrolled
1T is girls college, and while we oc-
casionally have few boy students, we do
not grant them a degree" said Miss Fem
sham.
The students are nearly all from the
better classes and have been prepared for
the school by goyernesses. The parents
are willing to have them attend the col
iege, not on account of the education they
will receive, but for the opportunity it af-
fords them TO make better marriages.
The Turks believe that marriage is the
most desirable profession that their wom-
en- can follow. and.a good marriage raises
a daughter to an enviabre position.
College education does for these East
ern girls about what it does for an Amer
lean girl It gives her desire for a more
active. fuller Life than that of the home
and she would Like to carry her studies
still further But this is where the Turk
ish parents draw the line. No money is
forthcoming to enable the graduate OF the
American college for girls to go to Europe
to take course of study, and the ambi-
tious young woman is forced to take to
school teaching or matrimony.
The girls are very much interested in
athletics, and their gymnasium work is
encouraged by the teachers, who hope 20
lead them out of the lazy, careless con-
dition into which their people have fallen.
There are about twenty-five Greek letter
societies in the college, and fraternity
life is very active.
There are three na tionalities predomi-
mating in the college-the Latins, Bulga
rians, and Armenians. AS each nation
celebrates a different date for Christmas,
the Christmas holidays was a very per-
picking question for the faculty to ar
range The different Christmases run
along for about three weeks, and that
length of time used to be given to the
students. Now the Latin date is recog-
nized and Armenian and Bulgarian pu-
pills are excused from school when their
Christmas day begins.
The college is not directly in Constan
tinople, but is on the shore OF Scutari, a
beautiful location overlooking the bay.
The buildings are of stucco, and they
present a most attractive appearance
seen through the heavy foliage. New
buildings are greatly needed, and the
work of the college has been sadly ham
pered by lack of money.