10 Reasons to Study in Turkey
Have you thought about studying in Europe? And in Asia? What if I tell you that you can study in a country located on these two continents? I’m talking about Turkey, a destination still little sought after by Brazilians but VERY surprising, in the best sense of the word! Discover now 10 reasons to study in Turkey and understand why you should consider this country as a possible option to realize your dream of studying outside Brazil.
Bridge between east and west
According to Countryaah.com, Turkey is a transcontinental country, that is, it is located on two different continents: Europe and Asia. It acts as a kind of “bridge” between these two very different regions of the world and these two distinct influences contributed to the country’s uniqueness. In addition, its proximity to the African continent and the Middle East has also contributed to Turkey becoming a home for different cultures, with people of different origins, religions and races. This is not only among residents, but also among visitors. In fact, some 30,000 foreign students arrive each year from the United States and European, African and Asian countries.
Hospitable people
One of the best reasons to study in Turkey is that the Turkish people have a warm and hospitable nature and always receive foreign visitors very well. It is normal for a stranger to try to strike up a conversation with a foreigner on the street, for example. They see it as a chance to practice their English skills, especially the younger ones. It is also quite normal to be invited to breakfast or just a cup of coffee (or tea) by a Turkish neighbor, or to be challenged in a game of tavla (backgammon), which is the favorite pastime of the locals.
Modern cities
Istanbul and Ankara are the two main cities in Turkey and, as such, are two major tourist destinations in the country. Istanbul has a population of just over 15 million and, like Turkey, is also divided between Europe and Asia. It is an important cultural center and has many must-see tourist attractions, such as the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Ankara, the capital, is located in the central part of the country and is extremely rich in history, being full of archaeological sites and ancient ruins. After them, the most important cities are Izmir, in the southwest; Bursa, in the northwest; and Antalya, on the south coast.
Incredible nature
Turkey boasts more than 8,000 kilometers of coastline with the Black Sea to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Aegean Sea to the west and the Marmara Sea, just below Istanbul, which is also to the west. In the northeast of the country are the Kaçkar Mountains, a wildlife paradise full of deep valleys and incredible views. Cappadocia (in the image that opens this text) is a semi-arid region in Central Anatolia, one of the seven administrative regions of Turkey, which is known for its unmistakable cone-shaped rock formations. The region known as Cappadocia extends for about 15 thousand km², but the most touristic part is concentrated in an area of about 20 km located between the cities of Nevşehir, Avanos, Mustafapaşa and Ürgüp.
Historical significance
Throughout the country, one can find numerous ancient ruins that are evidence of the many civilizations that developed or settled in the region, such as the Greek, Ottoman, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. In that respect, Turkey is a veritable open-air museum. For example, the Neolithic settlement of Çatalhöyük, which today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered one of the few ruins from that historical period still in excellent condition in the world. The remains of the famous old town of Troia are also in the country. Mount Nemrut is home to the effigies of the Persian and Greek gods, which were considered a wonder of the world by UNESCO.
Delicious cuisine
Turkish cuisine is a delicious blend of Caucasian, Balkan, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Central Asian flavors. You will find a variety of delicious kebabs and sweets on the corners of major cities, while heading towards the coast, a variety of fish and other mouth-watering seafood. You won’t even bother with yogurt at every meal and cay (a typical tea) with olives and cheese as an appetizer. And a tip: be sure to try Baclava, a sweet, considered a national dish, which is one of the most delicious things you will taste in your life!
Nice weather
Turkey enjoys a pleasant and moderate climate over most of its territory. Izmir and Istanbul have hot, dry summers, while winters are moderately cold and wet. In the capital, Ankara, the summer is very similar, but the winter is quite cold and it usually snows.
World-class educational standards
Turkey has a fast growing economy and is currently one of the 20 largest economies in the world. This is also reflected in its competitiveness in the global education market. Diplomas obtained at Turkish universities are recognized worldwide, while English is increasingly being used as a language of instruction for various academic programs, mainly in courses in Engineering, Business and International Studies. Several Turkish universities offer low-cost degree programs and high-tech facilities and facilities.
In the ranking of the 1000 best universities in the world of QS, Turkey is represented by 9 universities, the best of which is Koç University, in Istanbul. For comparison, Brazil, which has a population almost 3 times larger, has 19 universities in the same ranking.
The most renowned educational institutions in the country are divided between the two main cities. In Istanbul, in addition to Koç University, there are Sabancı University, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul Technical University and Istanbul University. In Ankara are Bilkent University, the Technical University of the Middle East, the University of Ankara and the Hacettepe University.
Low-cost quality education
The country offers students quality education at lower costs than in most European and American countries. In fact, low tuition and low living costs are one of the main reasons for studying in Turkey. It is also common for institutions to offer full scholarships for both domestic and foreign students.
Speaking of cost of living, check out how much cheaper it is to live in Istanbul compared to some of the major cities in the world, according to the Expatistan website:
- New York: cost of living is 72% cheaper in Istanbul
- London: Cost of living is 68% cheaper in Istanbul
- Sydney: The cost of living is 63% cheaper in Istanbul
- Tokyo: Cost of living is 61% cheaper in Istanbul
- Toronto: cost of living is 59% cheaper in Istanbul
- Berlin: cost of living is 51% cheaper in Istanbul
- Madrid: The cost of living is 48% cheaper in Istanbul
- Lisbon: cost of living is 41% cheaper in Istanbul
- Beijing: Cost of living is 33% cheaper in Istanbul
- São Paulo: the cost of living is 20% cheaper in Istanbul
Extensive use of English
The English is widely used in communications in Turkey, especially in large cities and tourist destinations. In addition, as already mentioned, more and more academic courses are being conducted in the language. Many institutions also offer students the opportunity to study English in parallel with classes in the chosen course.
