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TURKEY’S INTERNATIONALIZATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION: EXPECTATION, EXPERIENCE, AND EVALUATION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to outline the experience of international students, define their expectations, experiences, recommendations, and suggestions concerning higher education in Turkey. Study investigated student experiences to recommend improvements in the higher education system and the international scholarship programs. This study was a descriptive. The study group included in 400 international students (279 male & 121 female) in Spring 2020 using convenience sampling. Students located in 8 different regions (TR 1-9). They currently study various universities based on foundation year (before, 1974, 1975-81, 1982-91, 1991-2005, 2006-2020 and 2011-2018). They were in Turkey between 2-6 years. They come hard-pure (40), soft-pure (131), hard applied (143), and soft applied (131) disciplines. Students from Latin America (7), Middle East & North Africa (170), South Asia (103), Sub-Saharan Africa (120). The majority were undergraduates (283), and the rest were master’s (85) and doctoral (32) students. The instrument measured Personal Psychological, Academic, Socio-Cultural, General Living, and Language Proficiency problems of International Students. Non-parametric and parametric statistics techniques, percentages, frequencies, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis, Chi-square, ANOVA, correlation and regression were used in this study. The study found language proficiency negatively affect the achievement and bridging social capital has a positive relationship with CGPA of international students. Language and social experiences along with faculty teaching and advising make a difference for international students.