Latin Amerika'dan Türkiye'ye göç: Etkenler, deneyimler & beklentiler

This thesis looks at why people from Latin American countries decide to move to Türkiye, and what life is like for them once they arrive. It focuses on two main questions: what pushes people to leave their home countries, and what attracts them to Türkiye. Problems like economic crises, political troubles, and social insecurity in Latin America are strong reasons why people want to leave. At the same time, Türkiye has been actively using "soft power" tools such as cultural diplomacy, scholarships, easier visa policies, and especially popular Turkish TV series to make itself an attractive place to live. To understand this topic better, the study combines interviews with Latin American migrants from the case countries; Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela, living in Türkiye and analysis of soft power tools of Türkiye. The research finds that many people move not only for work or safety, but also because they feel drawn to Turkish culture, see new opportunities, and hear positive stories about life in Türkiye. Turkish TV series, cultural events, and student exchanges help create this positive image and influence people's decisions before they move. The thesis also explores what happens after migrants arrive. It shows how they face both good and difficult experiences, enjoying cultural discovery and new friendships, while sometimes also struggling with language, bureaucracy, and feelings of being far from home. By focusing on this lesser-known migration route, the research adds to wider discussions about migration between countries of Latin America, and how a country like Türkiye can attract people not only through jobs or asylum, but also through cultural influence and media.