Being a foreign student in Inonu University: An ethnographic research

The purpose of this research is to investigate the foreign students' experiences in personal, academic and social life and the effect of being foreign on them. The research design of the study is ethnographic research which is a qualitative model. Research data were gathered with four months of fieldwork in 2015-2016 academic year. Eight foreign students (4 male and 4 female) and five instructors were participated in the research. Qualitative data collection methods such as interview and observation were used in the research. In order to collect the data, "Student Interview Form", "Personal Information Form", "Instructor Interview Form", "Voice records", "Photographs", "Field notes" and "Field diaries" were used. Research data were analyzed with content analysis method and findings were reached about the foreign students' personal, academic, cultural and social experiences. After the research, it is found out that foreign students have the perception of having education in abroad contributes their emotional and personal development. Besides this, it is found out that foreign students feel loneliness, isolation and homesick and they encounter with financial problems. It is observed that in order to cope with the feeling of loneliness foreign students organize social activities with the students coming from the same country. It is found that students mostly cope with the problems on themselves and sometimes get help from their friends and instructors. In the research, it is determined that there is a relationship between the students' language learning process and their adaptation process to Turkey. It is determined that, a year of language course that students had in İnönü- Turkish Language Research and Application Center (TÖMER) in their first year at university have effected their academic and social adaptation. It is determined that students' level of speaking and writing in Turkish effect their attendance to courses and achievement in courses. As a result of the research, it is found out that foreign students encounter with many differences in Turkey such as in clothing style, gestures, daily activities and their names. It is determined that, adapting to cultural differences is a part of adapting to living in a new country. In the research it is found that foreign students become friends with the students in the university and spend time in the university campus. It is found out that foreign students actively use the places such as the library, The Medico-Social Center, The Internet Center and Çardak Cafe to socialize. It is determined that foreign students have good relationships with their classmates and get help of them when they need it. Keywords: Foreign student, ethnographic research, personal experience, academic experience, social experience, adaptation.