Difficulties of studying in Turkiye and how to overcome them

If you've put Turkey on your list for studying abroad, our article on New Horizons will help you learn about the Difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them, as well as the most important advantages of studying in Turkey, to form a comprehensive picture of studying in Turkey.

Turkey, like any other country, has several advantages and disadvantages

Before discussing Difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them, let's take an overview about this country.

Turkey has recently become a pioneer in many fields such as tourism, as it has many beautiful tourist places and attractions that attract a large number of tourists, and industry, as it is famous for the manufacture of carpets, food, cars and other huge industries that have greatly affected its economy and work, and as a result of the huge economy that Turkey enjoys, it provides many job opportunities.

As for education, it offers distinguished educational programs that are accredited locally and internationally, in addition to the multiplicity and diversity of specializations that it offers. This is likely to attract many students, especially Arab students.

Despite the advantages that make it a destination for many annually, it is not without flaws, and we will discuss these difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them.

Advantages of studying in Turkey

There are many advantages to studying at Turkish universities, as follows

1. Turkish universities offer a range of high-quality study programmes in various disciplines.
2. Turkey relies on an elite group of faculty members who have extensive experience in the field of teaching.
3. Relatively reasonable tuition fees compared to universities in European countries.
4. Scholarships offered by universities to ease the financial burden on students.
5. Student exchange programs offered by Turkish universities allow students to complete a semester or a full year at another university in a country participating in the same student exchange program.
6. Turkish universities provide student housing located on campus that is safe, healthy, and clean, saving the student a lot of time and effort in getting to the university.
7. The infrastructure of Turkish universities is huge, including lecture halls, modern laboratories equipped with the latest tools and equipment, and large libraries containing large numbers of books and references.
8. Turkish universities' interest in scientific research, encouraging students to do so, and providing them with critical thinking skills.
9. Most Turkish universities allow students to work part-time so that they can apply what they have learned theoretically and learn about the difficulties they may face in the job market after graduation.
10. In addition to the fact that Turkish universities have obtained many recognitions and accreditations that enhance the university degree that the student obtains and enable him to complete his studies in any country that recognizes this degree, as well as providing him with many job opportunities.

Read more: Advantages of studying in Turkey

Difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them

There are a number of disadvantages to studying in Turkey that pose an obstacle to international students, especially Arab students. We will discuss these difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them below

1. Language

When we speak about Difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them, we should mention the language barrier first.

The Turkish language is one of the primary obstacles facing international students, especially when studying majors that require Turkish as a primary language. Social communication is also difficult, as the Turkish people pride themselves on their Turkish language and rarely speak English.

This makes it difficult for students to form friendships and relationships due to their lack of familiarity with the language of the community in which they live.

2. Increasing tuition and living expenses

We can't ignore the financial aspect when we speak about Difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them as increasing tuition and living expenses occupy the minds of all students seeking to study in Turkey.

Due to global economic changes, the cost of tuition and living in Turkey has increased, as has the cost of living in other countries. However, they are still relatively low compared to European countries.

This places a significant burden on students, as they bear the high cost of tuition, living expenses, food, electricity, water, gas, and internet bills.

3. Crowding

Major cities in Turkey are very crowded due to the large number of people they receive from all over the world, as mentioned earlier. This makes driving your own car a stressful and time-consuming task.

Find out more: Student transportation card in Turkiye

4. Obtaining a visa and residency in Turkey

Obtaining a student visa and residency requires a number of paperwork and procedures that must be submitted to the relevant authorities within the specified timeframe.

Students must obtain preliminary acceptance from the university they will be attending and submit it to be eligible for a visa. 

Students must also obtain public or private health insurance and determine their place of residence to be eligible for a visa and residency. Renewing residency annually during the study period is a stressful task for students.

5. Safety

Although Turkey is a safe country that strives to ensure security and safety for its residents and visitors, despite the diverse nationalities residing there, theft crimes are not without their share, especially in areas far from the main cities. Even native Turkish residents are exposed to such incidents.

6. Homesickness    

This is normal,you will feel homesick for your homeland, and your sense of alienation is natural, as you are now living in a new society, far from the one where your family, friends, and memories are.

Solutions to difficulties of Studying in Turkey

Every difficulty that a student faces while studying in Turkey can be overcome through the following 

1. Language

The Turkish language problem can be overcome in two stages

The first stage

If you are a student intending to study in Turkey, you must begin studying the language before traveling to Turkey

The second stage

Learning Turkish in Turkey through schools and institutes that facilitate the student's learning and mastery of the language. This year is called the preparatory year for language study.

The Turkish language is an easy language that can be learned in a period of (6 months to a year) and it has many words similar to the Arabic language that make you enjoy studying it and you can learn it quickly.

2. Financial costs 

1. To overcome the high cost of university tuition, you can apply for scholarships offered by universities to students. These scholarships can waive tuition fees completely or cover 70% or 50% of the cost, depending on the university.
2. As for living expenses, you can obtain university-owned housing, which is free or for a nominal fee. If you can't afford it, consider a group home where you share the rent with your friends to ease the financial burden.
3. Regarding the rising prices of food commodities, you should purchase local Turkish goods, as they are more affordable than expensive imported goods.

Read also: The average cost of living in Turkey in 2025

All of these methods help you reduce your expenses and alleviate financial burdens.

3. Visa and residency 

You can rely on the New Horizons team to prepare the necessary documents for visa and residency applications, apply to universities, prepare the relevant paperwork, and obtain the preliminary acceptance necessary to obtain a visa. 

Their role extends to assisting students in choosing the appropriate university and major, drawing on their many years of experience in assisting students studying abroad.

4. Crowding 

You can overcome the problem of traffic congestion by abandoning your private car and using means of transportation such as the metro, which has greatly solved the problem of traffic congestion and saved a lot of time wasted before that.

5. Security 

You should live in places close to services or residential areas that have 24-hour security services and stay as far away as possible from isolated residential areas. 

If you have to live in such areas, you should avoid walking at night to avoid theft or other incidents.

6. Homesickness

To overcome this problem, you can make new friends in your area of ​​residence. You can also participate in conferences and social events organized by the university, which will expand your circle of acquaintances and friends. It's worth noting that the New Horns team stands by you, and its services extend after your acceptance into the university and throughout your studies.

How can New Horizons help you to study at  Turkish Universities?

The New Horizons team provides a range of assistance to students who wish to study in Turkey. These services include:

1. Assisting the student in preparing the required documents for the university he wishes to study at and assisting him in translating them into English or Turkish, depending on the primary language of study at the university.
2. Helping the student choose the appropriate major according to the student’s abilities and skills, as well as the appropriate group.
3. Helping the student obtain preliminary acceptance from the university, through which he can obtain a visa and residence permit.
4. Assisting students in applying for various scholarship programs offered by Turkish universities, which reduce tuition fees by 100%, 70%, or 50%, depending on each university.
5. Helping the student obtain university housing, which is free or for a nominal fee.
6. Help you to discover difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them.

Contact us now for more information about studying in Turkey.

Conclusion

Studying in any other country away from your homeland has advantages and disadvantages. Turkey, as we explained in the article about difficulties of studying in Turkey and how to overcome them, has several advantages and disadvantages for studying, but these disadvantages can be addressed and you can benefit from the distinguished level of education that Turkey offers.