Factors influencing international students’ choice to study in Turkey and challenges they experience in Turkey

Abstract

Turkey is increasingly becoming a regional hub for international students. The number of international students in Turkish universities has grown by almost 300% in the last decade. The current internationalization efforts of the Turkish government and universities have the potential to make Turkey an even more attractive destination for international students, especially from surrounding regions. This remarkable growth comes with some opportunities and challenges that deserve close attention. This study explores the factors influencing international students' decisions to choose Turkey as their study destination and the challenges they experienced. Data were drawn from 37 international students studying in Turkey through semi-structured in-depth interviews. The results suggest that geographical proximity and cultural, historical, religious and ethnic affinities seem to be very prominent in international students' decisions to study in Turkey as an emerging regional hub. Several other factors including comparable quality of education, affordability of living and education, scholarship opportunities, and recommendations by family or friends are also found to influence their choice of Turkey. The major challenges include lack of adequate guidance and information during pre-and post-arrival processes. Policy recommendations for emerging study destinations such as Turkey are discussed based on the findings.

Adaptation Challenges for International Students in Turkey

“…Language challenge is the most severe of all other challenges making socio-cultural and academic adaptation very hard. This is in consistent with findings of researchers like (Özoğlu et al, 2015;Titrek et al, 2016;Andrade, 2006;GulRaihan & Sandaran, 2017;Ward & Kennedy, 1999). The most common language related challenges are unable to communicate with Turkish community using a language other than Turkish, miscommunications and misunderstandings, speech handicap, difficulties in service giving institutions.…”

Turkish University Students' Perceptions towards Their Syrian Classmates

“…They had the opinion that their classmates should be supported to hold this right. Additionally, the participants agreed with the common belief that being an international student is a difficult process (Lee, Koeske, & Sales, 2004;Devos, 2003) which includes communicative, academic, social/cultural, psychological, financial and demographic challenges (Özoğlu, Gür, & Coşkun, 2015). In this sense, the participants shared their perspectives that as local students, the more empathy they develop towards their Syrian classmates, the more they enhance the Syrians' adaptability to their classroom and university which confirms the idea in previous research (Kondakçı et al, 2008) that local people can facilitate the migrants' adaptability.…”

Exploring Perceived Risk and Risk Reduction Strategies in the Pursuit of Higher Education Abroad

“…Financial risk : This is the most important factor at the pre-purchase stages (e.g., Özoğlu, Gür, & Coşkun, 2015; Sherry, Thomas, & Chui, 2010; Telbis et al, 2014). Interestingly, the present study proposes that a deeper insight into post-purchase behavior identifies security risk as a major factor.…”

“…Wu et al (2015) claimed that such diplomatic efforts in setting up talks, seminars, and any other platform would open up direct experience sharing from the students without the “screening” from third parties. However, front-desk officers in the universities who deal with the students should be well trained to provide professional services and offer the latest information (Özoğlu et al, 2015). In terms of security, the effects of criminal behavior can be reduced by issuing sufficient warnings to foreigners or through increased police patrolling in housing areas off-campus.…”