Theses supervised by İlkay Yorgancı Maloney
10 theses · Eastern Mediterranean University
Effects of Educational Tourism on Social-Emotional Experiences and Well-Being of International Students of Eastern Mediterranean University in Northern Cyprus, Famagusta
This research aims to investigate the effects and influences of educational tourism on social-emotional experiences and well-being of international students of Eastern Mediterranean University in Northern Cyprus, Famagusta. This study was a qualitative studythat tried to find out the impacts of educational tourism on international students' well-being. Semi-structured interviews were used with 15 foreign students between the ages of 18 and 35 who were not Turkish Cypriotsto answer the questions. The study indicates that educational tourism has impacts on international students’ social emotional experience and psychological wellbeing. Their lives will change as students plan to travel and leave their country to study and live in another country. These types of changes have been found in this research such as: being independent, communication problem, adapting difficulties in a new place, unfamiliar cultural issues, facing disrespect, panic attacks, safety issues and language barriers. And all these changes happen because of many reasons such as educational issues, acculturative stress and economic issues. These changes bring other impacts in their lives such as homesickness, increasing anxiety, depression, culture chock, increasing sadness and low self-esteem. Keywords: Educational Tourism, International Students, Social-Emotional Experience, Psychological Wellbeing, North Cyprus.
Perception and satisfaction of educational touristson local food: The case of Gazimagusa, North Cyprus
This study investigates the perception and satisfaction of educational tourists regarding the local food of Famagusta, North Cyprus through the cultural exchange that took place between local and international students. The study used an inductive approach in order to achieve a qualitative understanding of the research area. Semistructured interviews with 16 students, 4 local restaurant owners and 2 local producers supplied valuable information about the experiences, beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and perception of local. The findings demonstrate that students are just satisfied with local food and their perception of local food is that it is fresh and not too expensive. On the other hand local restaurateurs have no ideas about how to attract more students to their restaurants because they have their own local consumers. The findings show that there are no relations between students and local restaurant owners. Moreover there is not enough information available for students enable them to explore the city It is recommended that local community, city council and university authorities coming up to a proper plan to bring economic development accordance with environment and sustainability issues. Keywords: Local Food, Educational tourism, Sustainability, Economic development
Barriers to People with Disabilities in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry: A Case Study of Buea in the South West Region of Cameroon
The continuous increase in population growth in the world and the impact of tourism to the economy of many nations is a call for concern. Disability remains a human condition which might result from a biological developmental disorder which is either permanent or temporal or encountered in the course of life. We must break the boundaries that discriminate against disability at every level in our society (World Bank & WHO,9/6/2011).Yet some destinations still have barriers that limit the participation of all consumers. This is true for people with disabilities (PWDs) whose number grows alongside population growth. Most developing countries cannot fully satisfy the needs and wants of this niche market in terms of the development and marketing of tourism. This research investigated barriers associated with tourism for PWDs in the town of Buea, South West Region of Cameroon. The study used an inductive approach to research. Through qualitative research strategy an in-depth study of the research area was achieved. Purposive sampling technique enable the researcher to interrogate officials responsible for tourism development and business operators in the sector on how and what is done to ensure a barrier free tourism that grants equal opportunities to all. This work is the first to have researched on barriers to PWDs in the tourism and hospitality sector of the region. It serves as an eye opener to the public, developers and officials responsible in the execution of functions to ensure accessible tourism and social inclusion in the sector. The results indicated that the tourism industry of the region is not fully developed to accommodate the niche market, a potential source of profit for tourism investors. It is partially inclusive but not without barriers. The solution to this include; intensive sensitization, education, implementation of law and sanctions. Keywords: Tourism, Disability, Barriers, Social Inclusion, Accessibility.
Impacts of Educational Tourism on Social Capital and Mental Health of International Students of Eastern Mediterranean University in Northern Cyprus, Famagusta
The purpose of the thesis is to investigate the impacts of educational tourism on social capital and mental health of international students of Eastern Mediterranean University in Northern Cyprus, Famagusta. In order to achieve the necessary information, the qualitative approach was conducted as a research methodology. The process of data collection was done through in-depth interviews among international students who have come to North Cyprus to continue their studies. According to data collection, some types of changes have been found in this research such as: Social isolation, financial insecurity, crash of expectations, family relationship social interaction problems. The study indicates that educational tourism has impacts on international students’ social capital and mental health, since the students decide to move and leave their country to study and live in another country, their life will change. The most important change is in their mental health and that happens because of many reasons such as lack of confidence, language difficulties and barriers, family expectations and lock down issues (due to the pandemic). All these changes bring other impacts in their lives such as loneliness, lack of emotions, insomnia, using too much social media, lack of communication, and fear of future, increasing stress and anxiety and paranoia. Keywords: Educational Tourism, International Students, Mental health, Social capital, North Cyprus.
Homesickness among International Students in Famagusta, North Cyprus
The study’s aim was to examine the issue of homesickness among international students studying in North Cyprus and to educate the entire world especially incoming or new international students on homesickness. These 4 objectives were set to achieve this aims: 1.To establish whether the international students studying in North Cyprus were homesick or not. 2.To determine the reasons for international students’ homesickness. 3.To examine the impacts of homesickness on international students; health, academic performance, behavior and character. 4. To understand how international students deal or cope with homesickness. In order to collect data a qualitative approach to research was adopted, through semi structured interviews; 29 African students who suffered from homesickness were interviewed. The data analysed shows that these international students missed several aspects of their homes like: family, friends, food and many more. Language barrier was identified as one of the main causes of homesickness, it also deprieved international students the opportunity of becoming friends with their fellow students and locals in the community. In some cases language barrier caused problems due to misunderstandings and lack of communication. Keywords: Homesickness, international students, African students, North Cyprus.
Educational Tourism and its Significance on Social and Cultural Changes within Host Community
Indubitably, Social, political and cultural characteristics of a destination can be impacted by tourism development. Tourism has the potential to project positive or negative socio-cultural, socio-economic and political outcomes. Such potential is guaranteed based on how tourism cultivates and fosters. Since trend of internationalization is on the rise, heterogeneous institutions have been endeavoring to attract students who their language of spoken is beyond their local borders. In fact, students from all different spectrums have been encouraged to travel overseas, under diverse educational models to fulfill their education ambition. Educational tourism instigates people from diverse backgrounds [social and cultural] into that local destination; a great economic opportunity can arise due to significant potential of students’ spending power. Such reality can be a significant boost to evolve the economic situation of locals on the ground. While, it might be a disaster for preservation of local culture and their rustic way of social life. North Cyprus, a small island located in Mediterranean region has enjoyed significant reputation due to growing numbers of its universities; a privilege increasingly recognized by international students. The economic prosperity of the island has heavily depended on its educational tourism; an easy source of income for its inhabitants. This study explores the impact of internationalization of education known as educational tourism on the cultural and social facets of local lives, here in Famagusta, a small city in Turkish Republic of North Cyprus. There is a raft of unanswered questions in regard to impact of educational tourism on the host community, therefore, this study aims to shed a light on the impact of educational tourism on cultural and societal way of locals’ lives, engaging locals’ perspectives. iv Hopefully, this study can shed a light on some issues; create a clear picture on trans national transformation and how it can be beneficial for locals not just from economic point of view, also from social, cultural and physical point of view as well. Keywords: Educational tourism, internationalizations, locals, foreign students, North Cyprus, trans-national transformation.
What is the Impact of Tourism on Persian Carpet in Iran
Persian Carpet is considered to be the greatest masterpiece not only in Iran, but as one of renowned globally known handicrafts for their richness of color, variety of patterns, and quality of design. Iran is very well known for the production of carpet for almost four hundred years. In this research, the aim is to understand the effect of tourism demand on the Persian carpet, followed by an understanding of the relationship between tourism culture and Persian carpet. In addition, exploration continues on the relationship between tourist shopping satisfaction and Persian carpet. In order to collect and analyze data a qualitative approach to research was used. 11 expert carpet designers and carpet sellers were interviewed using semi-structured interviewing techniques. The analysis of the data showed that the demands of the tourism industry over the years had impact on the Persian carpet. Keywords: Persian carpet, tourism, tourist shopping satisfaction, tourism culture, tourism demand, demonstration effect.
Critical Interrogation on Tourism Conservation Policies of Heritage Sites in Northern Cyprus
Conservation of cultural heritage sites has been accepted globally as the improvement and protection of human resources against physical decay but implementation of conservation policies has been a great challenge especially in emerging economies of islands (Briguglio, L. & Briguglio M. 1996). The reason for this is the lackadaisical attitude of the governments towards conservation, hiding under the guise that it is too expensive to conserve cultural sites. This has led to lack of policies, strategies, institutions, agencies in order to map out plan for implementing conservation. The purpose of this study is to research whether cultural heritage contributes as a product to the growth of tourism in Northern Cyprus and also whether there are policies on conservation of heritage sites, implementation pattern and monitoring. The study focused on the activities of the government, planners of tourism, academics, archaeologists, architects and on their understanding of heritage sites, the relationship to tourism growth and the extent of conservation and the contributions of institutions in safe guarding heritage sites from human and natural degradation. In order to develop a detail understanding of the issue of conservation policies in North Cyprus, a qualitative approach was adopted. Data was collected using semi structured interviews with ten people who were considered to be knowledgeable on this issue. The research revealed that regardless of the fact that the government, tourism marketers and other stakeholders have the idea of what conservation of heritage resources are, the awareness is lacking in the various communities for proper implementation. The results also showed that with their knowledge on the concept of conservation of heritage sites, it has not been put into foreseeable actions which will aid in the protection and preservation of heritage sites from the activities of tourism. The research concluded that this was as a result of lack of political will, institutions and in cooperation of academics, archaeologists, and other professionals in the decision making of the tourism growth and development in Northern Cyprus. Keywords: tourism, planning, sustainability, archaeology, heritage sites, conservation, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
Cultural Exchange among Indigenous Turkish Cypriot Students and Educational Tourists at the Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, North Cyprus
This research studies the nature of cultural exchange between indigenous Turkish/Cypriot and Nigerian students studying at the Eastern Mediterranean University in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyrus (TRNC) in the city of Famagusta. The study used qualitative approach in order to develop an in-depth understanding of the issue. In order to collect data, semi-structured interviews were conducted both with the Turkish Cypriot students and Nigerian Students. Interviews conducted supplied valuable data about the nature and types of friendships, and the impacts of these experiences regarding the Turkish Cypriot and Nigerian students. The results showed that both the Nigerian and the Turkish Cypriot students welcomed each other and were ready to exchange and learn from their cultural differences which aided a strong relationship between both groups. Keywords: North Cyprus, educational tourism, cultural exchange, acculturation.
Role of Ecotourism in Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Karpaz, North Cyprus
The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the challenges of modern development and understanding the benefits of sustainable development and ecotourism in rural development. The analyzed data were collected from the villages in Karpaz region, North Cyprus. The potential of sustainable tourism is developed social, environmental and cultural life, therefore tourism is very important for the global economy and also for the economy of the countries. Unfortunately, as tourism expands challenges also arise and these significant problems are related to mass tourism. After 1980s Alternative tourism is started to be discussed and sustainable tourism came to the agenda of the tourism researchers and consultants. After these debates Ecotourism started to be practiced and implicated as sustainable tourism development. Since 1960 tourism was the main sector of economic development of Whole Island, although the tourism was developed as mass tourism with huge negative impacts. The implications of the big hotels disturb the environment also disturb the seashore. After the separation of the Island into two communities in 1974, tourism in Northern Cyprus rapidly diverted to the mass tourism and casino. After a long period of time in 2006 government started to deal with soft tourism such as nature tourism and heritage tourism through local community in Karpaz region. Ecotourism is a new concept for TRNC and particular for Karpaz region, therefore local population does not have enough knowledge about ecotourism’s benefits and upcoming natural challenges as well as the positive contribution to the economic, social and cultural life. During the research, the contributions have been noticed especially on women and ensure the women participation in economic and social life. Ecotourism increases the awareness among locals to protect the environment for future generation. Eco-tourism in Karpaz is a viable rural tourism development plan with so much potential in the near future.