Adjustment experiences of syrian university students who are under temprorary protection status through their migration process

The aim of this research was to examine the adjustment experiences of Syrian university students who are under temporary protection status through their migration process. A qualitative design was utilized. The sample group for the study consisted of 14 interviewees attending to state universities in Ankara 7 of whom are male and 7 female. The data of the research was collected through the semi-structured interviews conducted by the researcher. Four main categories were identified while analysing the process of social inclusion of Syrian university students under temporary protection. These categories were: Life in Syria; Adaptation process in Turkey; Integration in Turkey; and University life. There are twelve themes under these categories. These themes are; (1) childhood stage, (2) pre-war life, (3) effects of war, (4) reasons for migration (5) first experiences, (6) expectations in Turkey, (7) risk factors (8) protective factors (9) future expectations, (10) resilience, (11) sense of exclusion/belonging, (12) facilities at university. Each theme is further divided into subcategories. The findings of the study were dicsussed in accordance with these subcategories. The results point out that the Syrian university students under temporary protection experience a relatively easier and faster process of adjustment compared to other Syrians in Turkey. The effects of war influence the interviewees' endurance against hardships in Turkey and their integration process in Turkey. Some of the most prominent factors influencing the interviewees' process of social inclusion in Turkey were their social and psychological supports, individual characteristics, studying at university, and social activities at university.