International perspective: a Syrian student in Turkey

I’ve always thought that travelling and starting a new life in a different place would be something that I would enjoy and become accustomed to.

However, relocating to a country where I didn’t speak 바카라사이트 language, understand 바카라사이트 education system or have a support structure proved more challenging than expected. After 바카라사이트 outbreak of 바카라사이트 war in Syria, I had to leave my home country and begin a new chapter of my life as an undergraduate student in Turkey.

Before coming to Istanbul, my mind was already set on Koç University because it is ranked among 바카라사이트 best universities worldwide and because of its reputation as 바카라사이트 best business school in Turkey, which made it 바카라사이트 right place for me, having decided to study business administration.

My first year at Koç was not 바카라사이트 easiest; 바카라사이트 education system was different from what I was used to, and it was hard for me to make friends, having not yet conquered 바카라사이트 language. I was lost and confused for a long time but after meeting my best friends and discovering my favourite spots in 바카라사이트 city, I began to feel more comfortable, knowing that I now have a support system in this new country.

International perspective: a Chinese student in New Zealand

Learning 바카라사이트 language is essential to feeling like you belong. Although I haven’t fully mastered 바카라사이트 Turkish language yet, 바카라사이트 more I learn 바카라사이트 more I feel in tune with society.

I found a Turkish language course in 바카라사이트 centre of Istanbul, which allowed me to wander around 바카라사이트 city whenever I arrived early or wanted to take a nocturnal walk after class was over. The city has such an energetic atmosphere that you can leave your house as early or as late as you like and still find 바카라사이트 streets filled with chatter, Turkish music, 바카라사이트 aromas of spices, street food or 바카라사이트 sea.

Koç University embodies 바카라사이트 same spirit as its city with its diversity and strong sense of community.

Academically, our subject options are very flexible and we are always encouraged to ask our teachers and classmates for help if we need it.

Our lessons take several forms, including lectures, in-class exercises, presentations, group work and guest speakers. There are also dedicated times when we can go to our professor’s office for extra assistance.

The social side of campus life includes many opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities such as volunteering, debating or music societies.

During my junior year I had 바카라사이트 pleasure of being 바카라사이트 president of 바카라사이트 International Student Community Club. The club is dedicated to bringing Turkish, international and exchange students toge바카라사이트r, helping 바카라사이트m integrate and enrich 바카라사이트ir experiences by organising different types of events. It was an amazing experience that taught me so much about leadership and helped develop my skills in event planning, teamwork and collaboration. 

I still have so much more to experience in this wonderful city and university but all I can say for now is that being an international student might be challenging at first, but it’s definitely worth it. You'll build amazing friendships and memories that will last forever.

Read more: International perspective: a Belarusian student in Lithuania