Written by B. Begüm Çiçek (Koç University)
Türkiye has emerged as a popular destination for international students, with a steady increase in the number of degree-seeking students in the country. While exchange students were the primary source of international students in the past, the Council of Higher Education (HEC) in Türkiye has prioritized internationalization in recent years, leading to an increase in quotas and more opportunities for degree-seeking international students. According to the HEC’s Target-Oriented Internationalization in Higher Education Report, Türkiye has the 10th most international students in higher education in the world with the number of 125 thousand 138 students as of the data of 2018 published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It is aimed that this increase will continue every passing year and reach 300 thousand in 2023.
Total Number of International Students in Türkiye from 2012 to 2022
From Council of Higher Education of Türkiye, 2023
The presence of international students in Türkiye is a reflection of its socio-cultural and economic placement in the region. As a country that bridges Europe and Asia, Türkiye benefits from the Eurasian factor, which allows it to attract students from a diverse range of countries. The top 10 nationalities of international students in Türkiye, including Syria, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Iraq, are all countries that share cultural and economic ties with Türkiye. This not only enriches the cultural diversity of Türkiye but also fosters greater economic cooperation between the countries. The presence of international students in Türkiye is a testament to its growing reputation as a hub for education and innovation in the region.
The steady increase in the number of degree-seeking international students has resulted in changes in services provided to the new student population that make Türkiye their home for 2, 4 or 6 years to begin with. These changes include assistance with residence permit processes, high school diploma equivalency processes, onboarding for the entire study period, assistance with adaptation to life in Türkiye, psychological support regarding moving abroad, special support for students under the age of 18, and career opportunities. As an example on this front, the work that we have been a part of as the Koç University (KU) International Community Services Office (ICO) has played a vital role in facilitating these new needs of international students.
Shaping International Student Services
Student feedback has been an integral factor in shaping international student services. When it comes to understanding the needs of international students, the most momentous insight comes from their opinions. By taking the time to listen to and understand the opinions of international students, institutions can create a more inclusive and supportive environment. This feedback allows universities to identify areas for improvement and develop new initiatives. Ultimately, incorporating feedback from international students is key to creating a positive and welcoming environment. Before implementing any new initiatives, universities and institutions should first seek the opinions of their students on different aspects. The ICO has made it a routine procedure to ask for feedback on various aspects like; First Year Experience Feedback, International Student Satisfaction Feedback, Social Media Feedback, Orientation Feedback.
The main outcomes and takeaways from the student feedback, interdepartmental communications, and the International Student Service Hub (online network of international office professionals) have led to some important actions to foster diversity, inclusion and equity on campus. The feedback from students has led to significant action being taken to ensure that they are supported on all fronts.
The involvement of all staff members in addressing the needs of international students has been recognized as essential. Degree-seeking international students should be considered students at the university, and their needs should be understood and internalized by all colleagues throughout their educational period. By taking these actions, universities can ensure that international students have the necessary support to succeed in their studies and feel at home in their new environment.
To conclude, Türkiye has emerged as a popular destination for international students, with a steady increase in the number of degree-seeking students. Collaboration with other offices on campus has been essential in providing support to all students. The need for a space to have dialogue with colleagues from different countries and institutions to exchange best practices, and student feedback has been mic. Taking part in broadening approaches to assessing and evaluating the pre-existing services provided can be seen as the most important step to ensuring that international students are not only understood but also assisted in the best way possible.
Author Bio:
B. Begüm Çiçek is an International Community Services Specialist at Koç University. Since 2016, she has been leading various social inclusion programs that cater to diversity, cross-cultural tolerance, and multicultural collaboration, as well as projects that facilitate institutional internationalization to support international students, faculty, staff, and researchers.