Hey everyone, my name is Baozar, and I first arrived in Turkey in 2019 as an undergraduate student. Now, I’m pursuing my master’s at YTÜ, and if there’s one thing that has truly enriched my time here, it’s been learning the Turkish language. Trust me, it makes all the difference!
You won’t truly understand the impact until you experience it firsthand. When I talk to international students who haven’t learned Turkish, their common sentiment is often “it’s not fun,” and they’re eager to leave. On the other hand, those who speak Turkish generally describe their experience as “okay” – not perfect, not terrible, but manageable. This often comes down to having more opportunities, whether it’s a side gig or a community where they can connect and share interests.
What’s more, once you graduate, your chances of securing a job here will likely depend much more on your Turkish language proficiency than your GPA.
So, if you have the opportunity, my strongest advice is to learn Turkish!
Even reaching just a B1 level can transform your daily life. At the very least, you’ll avoid countless misunderstandings on the bus, at government offices, with dolmuş drivers, at the hospital, or even with the photocopy guy. You’ll also be able to advocate for yourself and correct misunderstandings when they happen.
This has been my diaspora experience, and I truly believe learning Turkish is the key to a much more fulfilling stay.