The majority of international students wonder about the difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them, especially since Turkey is a country that combines the modernity of the West with the ancient traditions of the East, and is a magnet for thousands of international students attracted by its strong educational curricula and its prominent position among the world’s top universities. Therefore, Skyline Education will provide you in this article with the most important details about the difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them, so that you can integrate into a society that may differ from the customs and values you were raised with. We will also mention the main advantages of studying at Turkish universities.
We wish you an enjoyable reading experience.
What are the difficulties of studying in Turkey and how can we overcome them?
It is inevitable that the transition of foreign students to Turkey for study purposes imposes a number of difficulties that they will face during their stay in Turkey while completing their university studies. Here is a list of the most prominent difficulties of studying in Turkey and how they can be overcome:
Language and Communication Difficulties
Turkish is the prevailing language outside the campus, so you might initially find it difficult to learn Turkish, considering that it is completely different from your native language. However, over time you will adapt to this situation, especially since more than 25% of the Turkish language is similar to Arabic, and you will pick up some words quickly within the first two weeks or less, which will greatly assist you in daily life through friends at university or in your residence.
Students must avoid feeling discouraged or fearful from the moment they arrive in Turkey, because integrating into Turkish society may require some additional time and effort to master speaking Turkish.
Moreover, some students may find it difficult to master English, especially those who wish to study at a Turkish university that offers curricula in English—the most widely used language in many countries. It is essential for the student to master it to comprehend the academic curriculum and facilitate integration into the surrounding community.
The student can also enroll in private institutes that teach English in Turkey, and it is advisable to join a dedicated language class concurrently with university studies.
Isolation and Loneliness
Feeling isolated and different is natural for students upon their arrival in Turkey, especially if they have not previously experienced traveling alone. However, once you integrate into academic life and meet new people from various Arab and European countries, you will feel that the situation has improved.
It is also normal for most students in the initial period of studying in Turkey to experience culture shock, which may cause them to suffer from isolation and loneliness due to difficulties integrating with their peers. This is due to differences in the cultures and customs they were accustomed to. This problem can be overcome by being flexible and developing social skills that will help in acceptance and integration, while maintaining the principles and values with which the student was raised.
It is worth mentioning that Turkey is a country that has welcomed thousands of international students from various nations, cultures, and religions, taking care of their needs by providing an appropriate environment for study and offering everything necessary for completing assignments and research throughout their academic journey in Turkey.
Accommodation
One of the most prominent difficulties of studying in Turkey is related to accommodation and finding suitable housing for students, which causes anxiety and confusion among international students. Turkey offers various types of student housing, including government-run and private accommodations that allow students to live with friends. You can overcome this problem by inquiring with offices that provide diverse student services.
Although accommodation in general is not considered a major difficulty of studying in Turkey, the legal procedures involved can initially be somewhat troublesome for a new student. However, over time, these procedures become routine and the student gets used to them.
Living Costs and Financial Problems
Despite the low cost of living in Turkey compared to other European countries, many foreign students suffer from financial problems that affect their academic success. This is due to their lack of experience in budgeting and setting financial priorities. Therefore, it is advised that at the beginning of each month, students set priorities for food, beverages, and academic necessities such as books and supplies. They should also create a daily expense schedule that includes secondary needs like recreational outings with friends, assigning a budget for each item to avoid financial problems resulting from poor financial management.
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Lack of Good Knowledge of Places and Routes
It is natural for students to feel disoriented during their first days, as they are not yet accustomed to the surrounding areas and routes. However, they can use applications that help them navigate and locate important addresses needed during their university life, such as Google Maps, Mobit, and Trafi, which will enable them to leave and return to their residence without any problems until they become familiar with their new environment.
Racism
A student in Turkey might encounter some racist individuals. However, as Turkey is a democratic country, it is not difficult to avoid such people by connecting with students who share the same religion and have been raised with similar moral values, which will provide a sense of security—especially for those from Arab countries.
Moral Deviation as a Difficulty of Studying in Turkey
Cultural openness and the abandonment of strict rules and religious teachings are characteristics of life abroad, and therefore, students—especially Arabs—may find it difficult to cope with these cultural differences. Some may try to resist the vices around them and focus all their energy on their future and studies, while others might succumb to temptations and disregard the values and religious teachings they were raised with.
Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of studying in Turkey compared to other European countries is that it allows students to practice their religious rituals without any hindrance, as the country is a melting pot of various religions.
After we have addressed the most important difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them, it is necessary to shed light on the advantages of Turkish universities that make many international students overlook the aforementioned challenges.
Overcome the Difficulties of Studying and Discover Its Advantages
Not to deviate from the context, but it is not logical to discuss the difficulties of studying in Turkey without also mentioning the advantages. Studying at Turkish universities, whether public or private, is characterized by a set of benefits that attract tens of thousands of international students every year. Here is a list of the most important advantages:
- The Turkish university degree is considered strong and recognized worldwide, providing its holder with numerous job opportunities globally, due to widespread international recognition.
- Turkey is a university city attached to each institution, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that offer comfort to students, in addition to numerous libraries and laboratories that help students conduct various scientific researches and complete all their academic assignments.
- The cultural mix and the blending of Islamic civilization with Western civilization in a remarkable manner.
- The low cost of studying and living in Turkey compared to other European countries, which suits most students, along with discount cards for public transportation.
- The continuous advancement in research and development in various fields, and the provision of all necessary resources that help students develop themselves and acquire many skills and experiences required in the job market.
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Criteria for Choosing a University Major
Report on the Number of Foreign Students in Turkey
Thus, we have reached the conclusion of our article after outlining the most prominent difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them, as well as highlighting the key advantages of studying at Turkish public and private universities. For more information, you can contact us at Skyline Education.