Allow yourself to be surprised with the many wonders that Turkish culture has to offer you.
In times when universal borders do not exist and the adventurous spirit prevails, it seems quite tempting to make the decision to study in a foreign country. When talking about international education, Turkey is considered a potential study destination for thousands of people from different parts of the world.
Choosing to study in Turkey can be one of the best decisions of your life. It is undoubtedly a country that will give you an endless number of experiences and opportunities that will make you grow in different aspects of your life. Let's take a look at everything that this country has to offer!
The multiculturalism of a transcontinental nation
Turkey has a strategic geographical location that has allowed it to be home to different Eastern and Western civilizations. Located between Europe and Asia, the Turkish territory has a diversity of cultures, traditions and customs from both parts of the world.
One of the most important stages during a study abroad process is having the opportunity to meet people and make friends. In Turkey you can meet people from all over the world. Their different European, Asian and international communities will make your stay in this country an unforgettable experience.
Being a transcontinental nation, you can enjoy the benefits of living in a multicultural society. Where the races, stories, flavors and those elements of each country are represented by people like you living the dream of studying or working in a foreign country.
Although the country has solid political and religious roots, it has striven in recent years to become a modern nation, distinguished by its strong artistic expression, by its numerous centers specializing in fine arts such as museums and art galleries.
Literature and architecture are characteristic elements of the different Turkish cities. Some of the most recognized Turkish architectural structures worldwide are the two bridges located on the Bosphorus, the Strait of Istanbul that represents the border between East and West.
Gastronomy, for its part, corresponds to the different culinary traditions of different regions of the country. With a mixture of roots and cultures, Turkey stands out for having a wide variety of typical dishes inspired by Arabic and Indian cuisine.
Turkish education, a door to knowledge and diversity
The growing popularity of Turkey has made it a really attractive country for those looking to study abroad. Deciding to train academically in this transcontinental nation means access to a high-quality education system.
There are about 170 colleges and universities throughout the country that host hundreds of international students annually. The diversity of cultures on the campuses of prestigious Turkish educational centers such as the University of Istanbul, the Ankara University, or the Anadolu University in Eskişehir, allow students to be trained in an environment that prepares them for a much more globalized labor market.
In Turkey you can access different stages of higher education, where you will find higher technical schools through to undergraduate programs and then to postgraduate, masters and doctorates.
When applying to any institution of higher education in Turkey, it is important to bear in mind that most of the academic programs are taught in the official language of the country, Turkish. However, the universal language of English continues to become more present among the different academic classrooms of Turkish universities.
The language facilities will allow you to interact with people from all over the world. You will also have the possibility to improve your language skills and understand most of the academic content in a language completely different from your native language.
These are some of the requirements that you will have to comply with if you want to study an undergraduate or graduate program in Turkey:
• Application Form for International Students
• Certification of your past academic studies
• Official transcripts of your diplomas or certificates of study
• Letter of recommendation
• Motivation letter
• Exams and interviews
When choosing a study program, Turkey offers a wide variety of alternatives to illustrate you in different academic areas. Some of the most popular study programs on university campuses are: business administration, international relations, multicultural studies, different areas of engineering and, last but not least, hospitality and tourism.
Experience the particular Turkish lifestyle
A country whose economy stands out for being of accelerated growth; where its landscapes highlight the beauty of a multi-faceted nation and where you will never cease to be surprised by the peculiar Turkish way of life, may be some of the reasons why you should study in this transcontinental territory.
Turkey has different university cities such as Eskişehir, known to be the home of solid academic communities. In addition, they are dynamic and striking cities where there is a large concentration of students, both local and foreign. Art, culture and sports take over the streets of Eskişehir giving its residents an environment conducive to academic training and to develop in a recreational way.
If you are the type of person who is passionate about large and crowded cities, Istanbul will be the perfect place for you. With more than 15 million inhabitants it is known as the most populated city in Europe.
Istanbul is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the country and is known to be a core city for education, commerce, economy and culture. Without a doubt, it is a city with hundreds of places to offer, so do not hesitate to let yourself be carried away by the numerous sites of interest, its gastronomy and historical tradition that is divided between the traditional and the modern.
Ankara, on the other hand, is the capital of the country and is located in the region of Central Anatolia. In recent years, its population has increased significantly and currently has more than five million inhabitants. The city known for being the 'heart of Turkey' is characterized as a commercial and industrialized city.
There you will find important academic institutions like Ankara University, known for being the first university of the Republic of Turkey. Click on the following link to know the application process to this university.
Ankara also stands out as a city with a high cultural influence. Museums are some of the most important tourist attractions in the city, so if you plan to study in Ankara you can visit the state museum of art and sculpture, the museum of science and technology or the museum of Anatolian civilizations among many other cultural centers that portray the history of the country.
Accommodation
While it is important to think about what city of Turkey you would like to live and the many benefits it has to offer, accommodation is also one of the most important items to consider.
When it comes to finding the place that will be your home for the next two to five years of your life or maybe more, you should consider different alternatives. In many Turkish cities you will have the opportunity to find state or university dormitories, either shared or private. This is a good alternative especially for international students.
Living in a university residence will allow you to be located in the middle of the academic community, access more easily to all the services that a university campus puts at your disposal and generate a closer contact with your teachers and classmates.
On the other hand, if you are a much more independent person, you will have the possibility to rent a house or apartment on your own. This option is often the most expensive when it comes to accommodation options. However, some students, both local and international, decide to rent an apartment in groups, so they can enjoy the benefit of having greater independence and comfort at a much more reasonable price.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees generally vary depending on the program of study and the college or university to which you want to apply. In Turkey there are different public and private institutions so it is up to you to carry out a deep search depending on your expectations and needs. Generally, you are likely to pay different rates than those of local students or in some cases you will have to pay an additional tax for being a foreign student.
However, the Turkish government is responsible for promoting education in the country and increasing the number of international students in its educational institutions, for this reason it offers different financial aids or state scholarships to foreign students. The government's 'Türkiye Scholarships Burslari' program offers a variety of information related to:
• Study areas in Turkey
• Available Scholarships
• Universities
• Application processes
Among some of the financial aids or scholarship programs awarded by the government includes a monthly value of 700 Turkish liras for undergraduate students, 950 for master’s students, 1,400 for people who are studying some doctorate program and finally 3,000 liras for research grants. Likewise, in some particular cases, state scholarships may cover accommodation expenses, medical insurance and travel costs.
Turkish, the official language of the country, has taken on more and more strength in recent years. It is currently known as a modern language that has entered the radar of hundreds of international students.
Do not let the language be a barrier to fulfill your dreams and acquire much more knowledge. If you are passionate about languages, you can consider studying the language during your stay in Turkey. The best scenario to learn a language is one in which you have a direct immersion both in everyday life and in an academic environment.
Making the decision to study in a foreign country can be scary, however, we recommend you keep calm, dedicate yourself to reading and analyzing each of the alternatives available to you in detail.
An experience beyond the classroom
Although your academic training should be the most important mainstay during your study abroad process, you should take into account the amount of tools and alternatives you have to support your academic training outside of a classroom.
These alternatives directly influence your interests, so if you are a person passionate about reading you can rely on local newspapers to practice the language or keep up to date with current news. The library of the university or public libraries are also an alternative both to support your studies and to have a recreational reading space.
Participating in different extracurricular activities is essential to have a comprehensive education. Social clubs often organize different activities related to sports such as tennis, swimming or soccer, known as the most popular sport in Turkey. Likewise, diverse clubs for theater, music, arts, and so on will provide you with a space to create relationships and integration with other transnational students.
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Having the opportunity to experience a stage of studies in another country will change your life in multiple aspects. Turkey may seem like an exotic destination, but it will undoubtedly offer you a myriad of benefits that will contribute to your training both personally and professionally.
Do not miss the opportunity to live the very essence of the country and to live with the multiculturalism of its inhabitants. Turkey is a nation where you can experience two completely different worlds, each with different ways of seeing life.
Be surprised by its incredible landscapes and the exciting artistic life of its many cities. Since you have the initial information about a life of studies in a transcontinental country, it is your turn to decide if Turkey could be a better place for you.
Are you ready to discover the essence of two continents in a single country?
