Exchange
Opportunities and Summer School
You
are a student in a university and you want to spend one semester
or one year of your study in Turkey. Exchange programs, "special
student" study, and summer session study offer the opportunity
to spend a summer, a semester, or an academic year at a university
in Turkey without enrolling in a degree program. This study might
be part of your degree program in your home country, or you might
take just a few courses at a Turkish university at the undergraduate
or graduate level.
Exchange programs in Turkey
Turkish
Universities have short-term study programs (exchange programs)
enabling international
students to study in Turkey for
one semester or one year with the purpose of earning credits while
retaining student at their university back home. Student Exchange
Programs are part of official agreements Turkish Universities have
with universities in other countries. In most agreements, "Exchange" means
a one-for-one exchange of students between the Turkish university
and the partner university. Students wishing to join such programs
must apply through their universities at home. They should inquire
about application procedures, costs and other details to the relevant
office of your university.
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How to choose a program
At
least two semesters prior to the date you wish to begin a program,
define your goals and begin researching programs that will
best suit you. You can begin by visiting the International Office
or
Study Abroad Office of your university. There you will
have access to a variety of reference materials about Turkish
educational programs
and institutions. You can also find information through
the Web sites of the universities.
When
you make your research, you can collect information on:
• application deadlines;
• whether you meet the eligibility and admission requirements;
• costs;
• whether the program includes or arranges for housing, or if it
provides any assistance to students who are looking for a
place to live;
• other services, such as social activities, provided by the organization
running the program or by the host educational institution;
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Transfer of Credits
It is essential to make sure that any courses or short-term study
or training programs you choose are properly accredited. Also
check in advance with your home university to determine whether
your program of study will be recognized upon your return.
Erasmus Program
Being a candidate for EU membership, Turkey will be eligible to
participate in EU Education and Youth programs such as Erasmus.
National Agency of Turkey has been established and it is planned
that Turkish Universities will be fully involved in student exchanges
under Erasmus starting in 2004. Also almost all the universities
are working to establish ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).
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Costs
Exchange Students pay tuition to their Home University and
are exempt from fees at the Host University. The cost of
short-term
study in Turkey can vary depending on the type of the institution,
and student’s way of living. Costs are determined
by the institution's tuition charges and other fees, as
well as by the
program type and length and by the materials you will be
required to purchase in order to complete the program.
Information about
the costs of each program is available in program brochures,
catalogs, and application materials, and on the Web site
You
will also incur costs of the traveling to and from Turkey, as
well as for living expenses such as accommodation.
In addition, you will need to have health insurance while
in Turkey.
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Visas
For
anyone who is not a Turkish Citizen, a student visa is required
to register as a student in Turkey. Exceptions
are those
who are legal dependents of someone in Turkey on a diplomatic
mission or
with a valid permit. Student visas must be obtained
from a Turkish Consulate, generally the one nearest your place
of residence. Student
visas cannot be obtained within Turkey. You must
take, or mail, a copy of your "Letter of Acceptance" from
METU and a completed visa application form to the
Turkish Consulate.
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Special
Student Study
If
your university does not have exchange agreement with your university,
you can apply as a special
student. Information
on the opportunities
and requirements for special student study is
available in the universities web pages and the catalogs. For
specific information
and application procedures for schools and programs
that interest you, contact university admissions
offices directly.
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Summer
Session Study
Some
universities in Turkey offer classes during the summer break
between June and August. The
summer school usually lasts between
six and eight weeks.
In
many universities students who are enrolled in a degree program
at the university also
take classes
during the
summer in order
to finish their degree faster than usual
or to catch up on classes they missed or
in to
improve
their
grades. This is a great way
for you to experience living and studying
at a university in Turkey while improving
your
knowledge and skills
in a specific subject
area.
You
can also use the credits you earn in Turkey, for degree completion
when you
return to your
home university.
You should ask your department
or academic advisor if they will recognize
the credits you earn.
Many
of the Turkish Universities such as METU, Bilkent and Bogazici
have bilateral
exchange
agreements with
internationally recognized
universities abroad. Interested students
may refer to the below link.
Universities
in Turkey
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