Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone. – Wendell Berry
As education and technology flow unevenly, the world’s opportunities and resources become a tangled web, leaving poor nations crippled in their pursuit of progress. The children of the underdeveloped nation agonized under the weighty burden and anguish of being unable to vie with the progeny of the developed nations. Western countries had unshackled this curse upon the Third World countries. However, owing to the burgeoning global consciousness, equitable competition from the west and east is swiftly fashioning the growth of civilizations that espouse inclusivity over exclusivity.
This paradigm shift is prying open the doors of education to international students, providing them with a fair chance at academic advancement. International students are individuals whose homelands’ education system fails to meet their needs or who yearn to acquire superior skills not readily available on their native soil. They embark on journeys, traversing borders and migrating to foreign lands in pursuit of educational gains.
The 21’st Century and International Students
In a truly unprecedented fashion, the multitude of international scholars traversing borders has skyrocketed into the realm of millions. Hailing predominantly from the vast continents of Asia and Africa, they embark on a transformative odyssey toward the lands of the West.
Countries and their Number Of International Students
In the realm of the United Kingdom, during the temporal realm of 2020/2021, a staggering multitude of 605,130 erudite scholars from distant lands graced the hallowed halls of academia, as divined by the omniscient Higher Education Statistics Agency. In the antecedent era of 2019/2020, the number of extrinsic pupils traversing the United Kingdom’s scholarly terrain amounted to 556,625, signifying an impressive augmentation of 8.71%.
America
America is an enchanting realm where international students revel in their academic years. It is the very nexus of illustrious schools and institutions, with Harvard reigning supreme. In the academic year of 2018/19, an astounding 105,299 international students were embraced by American higher education institutions, constituting a mere 0.05% of America’s population. In 2018, international students bestowed a staggering $44.7 billion upon America’s economy, marking a remarkable 5.5% surge from the previous year, as per the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange.
International Students in Turkey
A gateway flung open by the prevailing leadership has meticulously forged a policy to fortify Türkiye’s global presence through political and economic endeavors, despite the myriad challenges impeding Ankara in its pursuit of international outreach and political ambitions. A decade-long crusade to court students from every nook and cranny of the world has propelled Türkiye’s influence to easily breach the impregnable walls. What once began as a humble scholarship offer from an ascendant nation has metamorphosed into a renowned opportunity, fervently sought after by thousands of aspiring students from around the globe.
A decade ago, the Turkish scholarship, originally designed for impoverished rural children, granted underprivileged students the golden chance to pursue their studies at esteemed universities in Turkey. Each year, fiercely offers competitive scholarships that tenderly touch the hearts of countless students, alleviating the financial burden of their educational pursuits.
A Multitude of International Scholars Flourishing in Türkiye
Turkey is currently hosting a diverse array of international scholars who have chosen to pursue their education in this vibrant country. Among them, a staggering 17,000 individuals have been granted the prestigious Turkish Scholarship, a state-funded initiative. The Head of Turks in Abroad and Related Communities revealed that in 2019, the government had ambitious plans to further expand the number of international students, both those receiving scholarships and those self-sponsoring their education.
Uncharted Territory and Golden Opportunities Await the International Scholars
a) The Turkish Language
The majority of higher education institutions in Türkiye conduct their courses in Turkish. As a result, most foreign students are required to learn the language before they can participate in their chosen academic programs. International students endure intensive crash programs that span a year, designed to equip them with the necessary linguistic skills before they embark on their educational journey.
However, these crash programs fail to adequately prepare foreigners, leaving them without a solid foundation.Learning Turkish itself is not an insurmountable challenge, as students have the opportunity to interact with native speakers. Yet, two major obstacles impede their progress in mastering the language.
i) The Burdensome of Turkish Preparatory Class
Learning a new language is an arduous and demanding task. Students can dedicate their utmost effort and energy, yet the fixed time allocated for the preparatory classes feels akin to holding a burning ember from the depths of hell. From 9 am to 4 pm. Sudents are compelled to attend Turkish preparatory classes. Even after the lessons conclude, they find themselves sitting at home until the late hours of the night, toiling over their assigned homework. This grueling routine repeats itself five days a week throughout the year. Graduation arrives, and the students are left exhausted, having dedicated an entire year without respite, their bones weary and worn. Yet, they muster a glimmer of hope as they embark on their four or six-year journey toward their desired degrees.
ii) Turkish as the Language of Instruction
“Study abroad is the single most effective way of changing the way we view the world” – Chantal Mitchell
This is where the true anguish of the students takes root. The language they spent a year learning in the crash program suddenly becomes the language of instruction. They open their eyes to a classroom filled with locals, native speakers of Turkish. The lessons are delivered in the same language. With classes brimming with students, instructors rarely have the opportunity to pay close attention to individual foreign students who may require special consideration. When a professor enters the room, explains the lesson, and assigns homework, concluding with a casual “have a nice week,” foreign students find themselves stranded, their hands empty and their understanding limited. They are left mesmerized, contemplating their future. Will this unfamiliar land be their home for the next four years or more? Who said it would only be four years? Extensions are often inevitable. They must muster their strength and resolve to hold onto their dreams and claim their degrees, all while wearing a smile.
When you are here, some professors approach you with utmost care and dedication. And even if they don’t, the students themselves seek solace in the professors’ offices. These compassionate educators become their closest confidants, sitting and discussing with international students. Professors delve into the depths of their hearts and souls, seeking to uncover whether they are challenges that may hinder their education. These humble instructors, with their tender hearts, draw foreign students in like magnets. Their gentle words and warm smiles ignite a flicker of hope within. These nurturing teachers in Turkish universities have proven to be a source of healing for countless international students who may otherwise succumb to the perils of living far away from their families, susceptible to stress and depression. But not all are as good as the majority. as there some who barely not welcoming as that squarely depends on the personality of the professor and not that they dislike international students.
Graduates of Türkiye’s universities hold their teachers close to their hearts, considering them the warriors who guided them on their educational journey. Without their unwavering support, many would not have been able to claim their hard-earned degrees. For this voyage of education demands not only the efforts and energy of students but also the guiding hands and compassionate hearts of professors.
Graduates Forging the Path for Türkiye’s Global Influence
Africa and Asia stand as the primary recipients of their education from Turkish universities. The pioneering cohorts, now alumni, have embarked on their mission to serve their homelands. These graduates hail from various nations, harnessing the burgeoning sphere of Turkish influence across the globe, particularly in territories brimming with opportunities. Africa, a continent laden with challenges, bears witness to sweeping instability. The table of resource distribution showcases flagrant inequality, with many Africans languishing under the oppressive yoke of their governments. Social strata have emerged, where the families of political elites bask in privilege, while the majority wallows in the depths of poverty.
In light of these circumstances, those who grant this generation an opportunity stands to reap immeasurable benefits. Fueled by their fresh and cultivated minds, these graduates possess the knowledge gained from their overseas endeavors, which can easily propel Turkish aspirations on this fertile continent. Let us not overlook the fact that Turkey arrives armed with political and economic plans. As the graduates from its esteemed institutions not only possess the necessary expertise to helm its companies but also carry with them the key to unlocking closed doors—the Turkish language. Those who venture to Turkey barely get a taste of this language during their stay, allowing Ankara to delve deep into Africa with minimal resources and time.
Recommendations
Gear up your mind and soul to confront the daunting trials awaiting you as an international scholar in Turkey. Immerse yourself in intellectual discourse with professors and actively pursue their sagacious counsel when the need arises. Demonstrate profound gratitude and boundless admiration towards your erudite professors and mentors. Keep your lofty ambitions steadfastly in sight, and discern the harmonious convergence of your educational sojourn in Turkey with your long-term aspirations.
Long-Term Goals
Envision your lofty aspirations as you embark on your educational journey in Turkey. Ponder upon the myriad possibilities that beckon, and the transformative impact it may have on your future.
Turkish Preparatory Classes
Embark on an arduous journey through Turkish preparatory classes, where the hours stretch out endlessly and the coursework weighs down upon you like a burden of lead. Brace yourself for an unyielding timetable that will push your limits to the brink.
Comprehend that these classes are meticulously crafted to forge a robust linguistic base within you, even though the journey might seem insurmountable at times. Prepare yourself to weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side.
Contributing to Global Influence
Unleash your power to amplify Turkey’s global sway. Your education and experiences hold the key to traverse divides and nurture bonds with your motherland.
Drawing from my personal experience, I offer guidance to those embarking on an academic journey in Türkiye as international students. Prepare yourself for a path that demands great sacrifice, hard work, and the ability to confront adversity head-on. Becoming an international student in Turkey is not an easy feat; it is akin to carrying burning embers upon your head or immersing your hand in a boiling cauldron. If fortune has led you to this enchanting land, where you will immerse yourself in a new culture, forge connections with unfamiliar faces, and revel in the acquisition of a new language—a priceless asset for your future—then be prepared to toil relentlessly.
Additionally, engage with your professors, share your worries and dilemmas, for they are the only ones who will truly understand, and can uplift and infuse you with boundless energy until the day of your graduation. Never forget to express gratitude and appreciate their worth before they pour their wisdom upon you. Within the university, professors serve as your surrogate parents—rely on them, captivate them with your discipline, hard work, and courage, and treat them with utmost respect.
To summarize, being an international student in Turkey can metamorphose you, but it demands devotion, toil, and a readiness to surmount linguistic and cultural obstacles. Immersing oneself with professors and valuing their backing can immensely enrich your academic odyssey and propel you towards triumph in your pursuits.
‘It is very hard to do good work without being optimistic, exceptionally determined, and intellectually curious’ -Sam Altman