Religious-cultural interactions of foreign students in Turkey (SAÜ sample)

In this study, it is aimed to discuss international students who receive full time education in Sakarya University at undergraduate and graduate level on scholarship or their own resources; the problems they encounter on academic, housing, financial and psycho-sociological issues (homesickness, exclusion/discrimination, and adaptation), in addition to the effects of religious-cultural differences on their level of life satisfaction, adaptation and interaction in a broader perspective. In this study, in which qualitative research methods were employed, in-depth interviews were conducted with 54 foreign national students belonging to different religions, languages and ethnic backgrounds. Moreover, in order to examine the findings obtained from the study and to improve the validity and reliability of the study, in-depth interviews were conducted with Turkish / foreign friends of the participants and direct observations were made in places such as campuses, cafeterias and canteens where foreign students are regularly found. In this study, it was established that the students had difficulties associated with making friends and academic achievement due to language problems; it was also established that the students who come with their own means had more financially difficulties compared to bursars. Furthermore, it was seen that students frequently/occasionally encountered discrimination and exclusion based on skin color, race or the fact that they receive state scholarship. It was found that students from Africa and the Far East experience more difficulties with adaptation due to cultural differences such as food and clothing in comparison with the others. It came to conclusion that Turkey provides more opportunities compared to the countries of their origin in the matter of intercultural interaction and practicing religious duties (for Muslims). However, due to religious-cultural differences, it was found that Christians (except for Africans) and Buddhist participants had difficulties in accessing places of worship and celebrating religious holidays as required.