DeKALB | For the first time since its trip to Japan was cut short because of the earthquake, the NIU Alumni Association is set to go to Turkey.

Members of the Alumni Association are anxious about the trip after the earthquake last month cut their trip in Japan short. The travelers were at the Tokyo International Airport baggage claim when the quake struck. No one was injured during the earthquake and the subsequent tsunami. The 25 individuals arrived back at O’Hare Airport on March 16.

“We’re excited about this trip, it’s the first one since the earthquake and we hope it goes as planned,” said Alumni Association Director Pat Anderson.

The Alumni Association takes various trips aboard throughout the year and their upcoming trip includes visiting various cities in Turkey. The trips will include stops in Istanbul, Assos, Izmir, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Nevsehir, the Devrent Valley and Ankara.

Various NIU professors, alumni and staff attend the trips led by local tour guides.

Due to high demand, the association will take two trips to Turkey. The first trip will be from May 20 to 29. The second trip will be from June 10 to 19.

Both of the trips are open to the public and the cost for either trip is $3929 for double occupancy and $4279 for single occupancy.

In addition to visiting Turkey, the Alumni Association will visit Ireland and various cities in Europe later on this year.

“The trip to Turkey is a part of a series of trips we will take aboard and in the U.S.,” Anderson said.