December 12 2025

Having become a global leader in higher education, Türkiye ranks sixth worldwide among the countries hosting the highest number of international students, with nearly 350,000 students from more than 200 countries. Young people who choose Türkiye for higher education go on to build diplomatic, commercial, social, and cultural bridges between Türkiye and their home countries after graduating and returning.

Türkiye holds a unique value and significance in each student’s story. Serving as a safe haven for students fleeing war so that they can continue their education, Türkiye is seen by some international students as a refuge, by others as a place where hope is reborn, by some as a family, and by others as the key to success.

After completing their education and returning to their countries as devoted friends of Türkiye, these young people continue to maintain their ties with Türkiye without severing their relationships.

Türkiye Ranks First in Many Areas in the MENA Region

A higher education report prepared by the British Council and the Netherlands-based international education platform Studyportals on Asia, Latin America, and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) regions has revealed Türkiye’s leadership in higher education student mobility.

According to the report titled “Emerging Trends as Destination and Source Regions,” which is based on data from 51 million users across more than 220 countries and regions, Türkiye became the most preferred country for international university students in the MENA region.

The report also notes that Türkiye ranks first in the region in terms of the number and diversity of programs, with 906 undergraduate and 900 graduate programs. Istanbul and Ankara emerged as the most in-demand cities at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

In recent years, international students in Türkiye have predominantly preferred programs such as business administration, medicine, software engineering, computer engineering, and health technologies.

The report emphasizes that, for students who choose programs aligned with trends in the global labor market, the hospitality offered by the Turkish people is as decisive and important a factor as the quality of education.

“It Is Worth the Sacrifice Our Families Made”

International students studying in Türkiye say that the education they receive is worth the sacrifices made by their families.

Türkiye stands out in global education thanks to the quality of its higher education, its international branches and joint programs adaptable to the European education system, its commitment to the Bologna Process, participation in the ERASMUS exchange program, the high number of English-taught programs, its safety, geographical location, and affordability.

Syrian Student: “Both My Mother and I Are Students in Türkiye”

Syrian student Riyam Albasha and her mother, Wahad Alhaj Yahia, are continuing their university education in Türkiye. Albasha is a fourth-year student at Ankara Medipol University Faculty of Medicine.

Stating that they came to Türkiye in 2014 due to the war, Albasha said: “I truly say, I’m glad I grew up here. Diplomas obtained in Türkiye are recognized worldwide. Türkiye is not just a place where I receive an education; it is also my second homeland. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but one day I want to become a bridge between Türkiye and Syria. With what I have learned in Türkiye, I would like to help children and women in my country.”

Palestinian Student: “Only Türkiye Accepted Me”

Palestinian student Zaina Alkhazendar is a third-year student at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Health Sciences. She said, “I came through a transfer from Gaza. Thank you for your support. Among all the countries I applied to in order to continue my education, only Türkiye accepted me. I can hardly believe it. I am grateful.”

Palestinian student Shadi Sameh Mohammed Hamdan, who studies Computer Engineering at Koç University, shared his views, saying: “I want to stay in Türkiye because there are technical infrastructure and financial opportunities. I can do a lot here.”

“Türkiye Gave Me Back My Hope for Life”

Palestinian student Tasnem Lubbad stated that she was injured in the war, came to Türkiye for treatment, and started a master’s degree in International Business Administration at Ostim Technical University, saying: “Turkish people reached out and supported me. Just as they stand by other oppressed people, they stood by me as well. Türkiye gave me back my hope for life and gave me the strength to live again.”

Azerbaijani Student: “When I Came to Türkiye, My Father Said, ‘You Have Returned to Your Homeland’”

Azerbaijani doctoral student in International Relations Sabina Akbarova stated that the five years she spent in Türkiye turned into a bond that went beyond university education for her. She said:
“When I went to Europe through Erasmus, my family worried about me. However, when I came to Türkiye, my father said, ‘You’ve already returned to your homeland.’ My family feels safe when I am here.”

“Türkiye Is My Second Homeland”

Azerbaijani student Resul İbrahimzade, who studies Computer Engineering at Bilkent University, emphasized that being in the same class as Türkiye’s top students was initially challenging but that he overcame it, saying:

“The language is familiar; there were no problems at all. I felt the same here as I did in Baku. I clearly know that education in Türkiye is at the same level as in European countries. That’s why I chose Türkiye.”

“My Children Will Also Study in Türkiye”

Azerbaijani student Hasan Hasankhanov, who studies at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Health Sciences, Gülhane, said:

“Gülhane School of Medicine is a well-known medical school in Azerbaijan. Since our former president also received treatment here, I chose Gülhane to become a doctor. Medical education in Türkiye is at the same level as the best medical schools in Europe. When I return to Azerbaijan, I will carry a trace of Türkiye with me, and I will never forget the the hospitality and sincere kindness shown to me by the Turkish people. I may also send my children to Türkiye for their education. This is not an end; it is a beginning.”

Tanzanian Student: “Our Prime Minister Also Studied in Türkiye”

Tanzanian student Swahifa Abdi Juma, who studies Biomedical Engineering at TOBB ETÜ, stated:
“Education in Türkiye is very good. Our prime minister also studied in Türkiye; I want to be successful like him and contribute to my country. After graduating from Türkiye, you can also work in Europe. Technology is very advanced; I am learning about new machines. When I return to Tanzania, I will share what I have learned.”

Kazakh Student: “On the First Day, My Professor Said, ‘Someone from Kazakhstan Is Not a Foreigner, but a Brother’”

Kazakh student Binura Makasheva, a fifth-year student at the School of Medicine of Hacettepe University, shared an anecdote that reinforced the sense of brotherhood between her country and Türkiye from the very first day: “On my first day at school, my professor said to me, ‘How could someone coming from Kazakhstan be a foreigner? We are brothers.’ At that moment, I felt the brotherhood of the Turkic world. I want to build a bridge between the two countries in the field of healthcare.”

Kazakh student Tomiris Badan, who studies International Relations, drew attention to the quality of education in Türkiye, saying: “European or U.S. diplomas are often talked about, but I personally saw how strong education in Türkiye is. I really like the way courses are taught here and the cooperation-based approach.”

South Korean Student: “I Want to Contribute to Humanity”

South Korean student Yeseo Yook is a third-year student at Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine. Stating that she sees the education she receives in Türkiye as being at world standards both scientifically and clinically, Yook said: “There is a historically strong bond of friendship between Türkiye and South Korea. I am proud to be part of this friendship. I aim both to further strengthen the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and to contribute to humanity as a good physician.”

Nigerian Ali Came to Study, Got Engaged to a Turk, and Wrote Poetry About Tea

Nigerian student Ali Fahd is continuing his master’s education in the Department of Sociology of Religion at Ankara University. Fahd, who wrote poetry about the Turkish tea he loves so much, said:
“While writing this poem, I actually compared the warmth of tea with the warmth of Turkish people. My fiancée is Turkish. The value Turks give to students does not exist anywhere else in the world.”

“Türkiye’s Kindness Cannot Be Repaid”

Ali Fahd stated that Turkish people treat students as if they are sacred, saying: “This is so nice. Just because of this, I don’t even want to stop being a student. When I go to see a professor at the university, they immediately say, ‘Sit down, let me offer you some tea and chocolate.’ When I went to see a professor in Germany, he didn’t even ask me to sit. I want to contribute to Türkiye because Türkiye’s kindness cannot be repaid.”

Iranian Student: “I Am Inspired by Turkish Architecture”

Iranian student Artin Banai Shahani, who studies Architecture at Bilkent University, said:
“I am inspired by Turkish architecture, and I also tell my friends here about my own culture. My family is making sacrifices so that I can study in Türkiye. One day, I want to take what I have learned here to Iran or to another country.”

Iranian student Arnita Shiri, who studies Dentistry at Başkent University, said: “I have been living in Türkiye for six years; now I feel both Iranian and Turkish.”

South African Student: “Even If They Don’t Understand My Language, Turks Try to Help”

South African student Simphiwe Casey Zimba studies Astronomy and Space Sciences at Ankara University. Stating that he was deeply impressed by people’s helpfulness in Türkiye, Zimba said:
“Even if people don’t understand my language, they still try to help. I came to Türkiye, and I say, ‘I’m glad I came.’ In Türkiye, there is an expression, ‘kolay gelsin.’ We don’t have such a saying in my country. When I say ‘kolay gelsin,’ I get a discount. Türkiye has become like a blessing for me.”

Indian Student: “I Will Establish Commercial Cooperation Between Türkiye and My Country”

Indian student Saaduddin Syed, a master’s student in Civil Engineering at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, said: “I previously did an internship in Türkiye and learned about trade processes. I want to establish cultural and commercial cooperation between Türkiye and India.”