~ Turkey ~
The Promised Land for International Students
-Why you should consider choosing Turkey over every other popular country
Choosing where to continue your education has a crucial role when it comes to creating a successful path in your life and becoming a professional in your field.
That is why you must feel the pressure of choosing the right country which is the perfect blend of cultural and educational components. Turkey is here to offer a mosaic of numerous physical and spiritual features with its rich history and unbelievable diversity.
Turkey`s unique yet ideal location is known for centuries as the “Bridge to the World” or “Where East Meets West” hence of the literal geographical meeting point of the Middle East and Europe, successfully blending these two cultures, coexisting harmoniously, becoming a home to historical and cultural richness and legacy for thousands of years.
Turkey is rapidly becoming the ideal destination for international students that are searching for quality educational qualifications as much as a country with a unique history and welcoming and warm people. There are more than one reasons why you should consider studying in Turkey.
- University-Industry Cooperation
The Turkish government ever since 2001 has aggressively pushed the integration between the needs of the world`s industries and the courses offered at the universities. The very first steps came into effect in 2001 with the new Law on Technology Development centers and technoparks. This was one of the first significant changes that paved the way for multiple centers and technoparks openings and developments right in the university campuses in order to provide one of the most relevant pieces of the puzzle called “becoming a professional”. From that starting point, 32 such centers with same or similar function were opened and even more, in the future are planned to be built.
Also, another thing the Turkish government deeply thought about and made changes are the new two-year programs included in Turkish higher education system, Associate Degree qualifications that come together with a guarantee for employment as intermediate staff in related sectors. These new programs are tightly connected with industry players and together with them are offering the students a valuable internship and important experience in relevant firms.
- Scholarship opportunities
According to the UNESCO statistics and data, over 3, 6 million students enrolled to study abroad meaning there has been a significant increase and a radical transformation directly connected to the availability of scholarship opportunities. Most of the scholarships are funded by the Turkish state and the government, loudly and widely supporting the international students and encouraging them to choose Turkey.
- Quality of education
In the last few decades, slowly but reassuringly the higher education system developed significantly not only its quality but its quantity too. International students from all over the world are offered a fertile field of choices to grow into successful professionals in their field of expertise.
The seen improvements were also internationally recognized on the ranking lists across the globe and according to The Times Higher Education BRICS and Emerging Economies Rankings in 2017, in the top 500 university list astonishing 22 Turkish Universities made it to the list. According to the ranking by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in the UK among the top 800 world best universities- 9 Turkish universities were among them and in top 1000 by METU Informatics Institute- 19 took place among the best world universities.
The reason behind all these great rankings among prestigious universities is because of the number of changes they integrated over the past years, the effort they are putting in into pleasing the international students, and the constant modifications into already existing programs according to the new students. The modifications include:
- Opening/creating a number of programs taught in English including business, finance, engineering, and medicine
- Becoming a member of the Bologna process meaning accepting the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) that offers to continue your education in other countries too.
- Making efforts for their diplomas/certificates to be recognized in other countries too. The Turkish government signed several agreements and key accreditation bodies around the world and with the European Union to ensure all of the Turkish degrees are world-widely recognized.
- Cost of living
When thinking about moving to Turkey to start or finish your education journey consider that the cost of study and living will have a huge impact on your decision. When compared to other European countries, hence of the cultural diversity and the dynamic economy- it offers a number of modern cities and quality of living that is at par with globally recognized cities as a result. However, one main reason will take you to Turkey, the opportunity to live a good life as any other huge city yet to pay almost dramatically lower annual tuition fees and to have much lower living expenses. The Turkish cities were at the very bottom of the Mercer`s 2013 rankings of world cities in terms of cost of living.
From $500- $700 are the approximate monthly living expenses for an international foreign student depending on the student`s lifestyle and the administrative fees range from $100-$150 per semester.
- A door to your dream job!
Graduating as an International student at one of the Turkish universities leaves you with multiple options and opportunities on what to do next. You can choose either to return home with an internationally accepted diploma or to find a job in Turkey. Another benefit when studying in Turkey is that in the meantime you are able to work a part-time job during your education.
Besides changes taking place into the education system, there are also improvements and rapid growth in the economy itself. The number of global brands in particularly from the European Union countries working and doing business with Turkish brands since June 2013 has significantly increased meaning you can also have the chance to work and gain experience in one of those international companies and brands. Choose wisely and create contacts that will open the doors to new opportunities in the future.
- Transportation
The public transport in Turkey is well-developed, accessible, and widely used. As a student, you can enjoy the reduced rates for all sorts of transportation only with a valid student ID. Use the Metro, buses, trams, ferries, suburban trains, and minibusses to explore every corner of magical Turkey.
- Students housing
In all of the major cities and in almost all of the universities across Turkey, they are willing to help you with finding or even provide you with different types of accommodation. This is really helpful especially when you are coming to a country that you are completely unfamiliar with. They can even connect you with other foreign students in order to share an apartment. The last option is actually the most affordable ones since it will cost only about 400TL (Turkish Lira).
- The perfect place for living!
Of course, choosing in terms what is best education-wise is your main goal but just as important or maybe, even more, is choosing the right place to actually live. Turkey is indeed a large country spread on two continents as we previously mentioned and it’s no wonder that you can find both cosmopolitan cities and small, cute towns. Turkey has served as a gate between the mystical Eastern cultures and the Western modern societies that resulted with a magical blend of different cultures, people, religions, lifestyles, and ultimately cuisines, creating a unique cultural experience for every single person that comes from a foreign country and therefore the international students.
- Beautiful natural wonders.
Choosing where to start your education in terms of choosing the most beautiful town will be a tough decision to be made. Turkey is washed by the waters of four different seas, the Aegean to the west, the Mediterranean to the south, the Sea of Marmara below Istanbul, and the Black Sea to the north and it has more than 5,000 miles of coastline. Also, The Kaçkar mountains are the perfect hiker`s paradise with wonderful views, rare wildlife, and secret valleys. All of this makes Turkey the ideal destination for skiing in the winter and swimming in the summer.
- Friendly people.
Turks are well known around the world for their hospitality and warmth. They will make you feel at home, in no time you will find yourself playing tavla (backgammon) and drinking çay (tea) with the locals.
- The food is delicious.
All the way from the coast where you can find fresh fish, stuffed mussels, and grilled corn to the streets where you can find kebabs and savory pastries, the Turkish cuisine is a fusion of Middle Eastern, Central Asian, Caucasian, Mediterranean, and Balkan dishes. Sounds like a lot but trust me when I say it, you will love it. In an instant, you will be eating cheese and olives for breakfast, along with cold yogurt and sipping in Turkish tea between meals.
- Turkey is famous for its rich history too.
Ancient sites and ruins as a testimonial to the many civilizations including Roman, Ottoman, Byzantine, and Greek.
- Kind climate.
Thanks to its location/geographical position you can enjoy the beauties of all four seasons.
Author: Dr. Yasar Guzel
Secretary, Midwest Academic Community of Turkish Americans
