🎓 Erasmus in Istanbul: What Nobody Tells You About Studying in Türkiye

🎓 Erasmus in Istanbul: What Nobody Tells You About Studying in Türkiye

Let’s be honest. When you imagined Erasmus in Istanbul, you probably thought about the Bosphorus, new friends, weekend trips and nights out. University paperwork probably wasn’t part of the fantasy.

But Erasmus is still an academic exchange, and studying in Türkiye can come with a few surprises: attendance rules you weren’t expecting, a Learning Agreement that suddenly needs changing, different grading systems, courses that don’t work out exactly as planned, and the occasional moment when you have absolutely no idea which university office you’re supposed to talk to.

Nothing unusual. That’s Erasmus too. 😅

So before the semester gets too far ahead of you, here are a few things worth knowing.

🏫 Every University Is Different

There is no single “Turkish university experience.” A large public university can work very differently from a foundation university, and even within the same university, faculties, departments and professors may have different procedures.

So when another Erasmus student confidently announces, “Attendance doesn’t matter here,” maybe don’t plan your semester around that information.

Check the rules for your own courses — especially before skipping that 9:00 class.

📅 Check the Calendar Before Booking That Flight

We know. You found a €29 flight and it looks very exciting.

Before you book it, check your university’s academic calendar for registration and add/drop periods, midterms, finals, make-up exams where applicable, and university holidays.

Your semester may not follow the same schedule as your university back home.

Calendar first. Cheap flight second.

You’ll thank us later.

📚 Your Learning Agreement Is Not Carved in Stone

You arrived with everything perfectly organized. Then a class isn’t available, two courses overlap, a timetable changes or something you expected isn’t offered as planned.

Welcome to Erasmus.

Changes to your Learning Agreement can be made when necessary, following the Erasmus+ process and your universities’ procedures.

What you shouldn’t do is quietly switch courses and assume, “Same ECTS. It’ll be fine.”

Talk to your coordinator, get the change approved and keep the paperwork. It’s boring, yes — but considerably better than discovering a credit problem once you’re back home.

🗣️ Your Classes May Be in English. Your Life Won’t Be.

Your English-taught courses may be in English, but step outside the classroom and you’ll hear Turkish everywhere: between classmates, in the cafeteria, at student clubs and around campus.

That’s not a problem. That’s part of actually studying abroad.

You don’t need to become fluent, but a few words can make everyday life much easier:

Merhaba — Hello
Teşekkürler — Thank you
Anlamadım — I didn’t understand
İngilizce biliyor musunuz? — Do you speak English?

Try using them. You might be surprised how quickly you start picking up more.

👨‍🏫 Talk to Your Professors

This sounds obvious, but communication solves a surprising number of problems.

If you don’t understand an assignment, ask. If you’re confused about an exam, ask. If an Erasmus-related issue is affecting your course, explain it.

Just don’t disappear for six weeks and introduce yourself three days before the final. 😅

📝 Find Out How You’re Being Graded

Don’t assume assessment works exactly like it does back home. Depending on the course, your grade might include midterms, finals, presentations, group projects, quizzes, participation or attendance — and each component may carry a different weight.

Take ten minutes at the beginning of the semester to understand how each course works.

It could save you ten hours of panic later.

🤝 Then Comes the Group Project...

Sooner or later, somebody will say, “Let’s make a WhatsApp group.”

Congratulations. You’ve discovered something that apparently unites university students everywhere. 😂

Group projects can actually be one of the easiest ways to get to know your Turkish classmates. Different working styles and approaches to deadlines can occasionally make things interesting — including the inevitable person who sends their part at 01:47.

Welcome to university.

🍽️ Don’t Use Campus Like an Airport

Some students arrive for class and disappear the moment it’s finished. Don’t make campus just somewhere you go to collect ECTS.

Have lunch there. Find the cheap coffee. Check out student clubs. Go to a university event. Sit where students actually hang out and ask your classmates what Erasmus students usually miss.

Your campus is part of your Istanbul experience too.

But your life doesn’t have to stop at the campus gate either.

Istanbul is full of people who aren’t connected to your university. That’s one reason we created Smileys Community — to bring internationals and locals together through real-life activities around the city.

If you feel like your entire social circle is becoming university → Erasmus group → university, join something completely unrelated to campus. A language exchange, picnic, sailing day, dinner, sports activity or social night can introduce you to a completely different side of Istanbul.

See what’s happening on Smileys Community

🇹🇷 Your Turkish Classmates Know a Different Istanbul

Have lunch together, study together, work on projects and complain about deadlines together.

Not because your Turkish classmates need to become your personal tour guides. They’re simply people your age living a version of Istanbul you probably wouldn’t otherwise see.

Those conversations can tell you far more about everyday life in Türkiye than another “TOP 10 SECRET ISTANBUL PLACES YOU MUST VISIT!!!” video.

📲 Know Who to Ask

At some point, you’ll probably have a question that nobody in your Erasmus WhatsApp group can answer.

The challenge is figuring out who actually handles it: your professor, departmental coordinator, International/Erasmus Office, student affairs or your home university.

Find the right person, explain the issue clearly and keep important emails — especially anything involving courses, credits or approvals.

Future-you may need them.

⚖️ Know Your Erasmus Rights

As an Erasmus+ student, your host university shouldn’t charge you tuition, registration, examination, laboratory or library-access fees for your mobility.

Certain smaller charges can still apply on the same basis as they do for local students, such as some insurance, student organization or material costs.

You should also receive relevant information about grading and student services, and the academic components you successfully complete should be recognized according to your approved Learning Agreement.

In other words, don’t assume every problem is something you simply have to accept because you’re an exchange student.

Know your Erasmus rights.

⏰ Yes, You Still Have to Study

Istanbul is very distracting. There’s always another dinner, party, ferry ride or weekend trip — and always someone saying, “Come on, we’ll study tomorrow.”

Then suddenly, finals.

Nobody is suggesting that you spend Erasmus living in the library. But you still need to complete the academic requirements of your exchange.

The goal isn’t to choose between university and Erasmus life.

Figure out how to enjoy both.

📄 Before You Leave, Do the Boring Stuff One Last Time

Eventually, you’ll reach your final week. People are saying goodbye, your room is a disaster, and you’re trying to understand how everything you own ever fitted into one suitcase.

Before you disappear, check your Erasmus paperwork. Make sure course changes were properly approved, find out when and how you’ll receive your Transcript of Records, and check whether either university needs anything else from you.

Don’t wait until you’re back home to discover you’re missing something. Chasing paperwork from another country is significantly less fun.

🎓 When It Starts Feeling Normal

At first, the campus, language, university system and people can all feel unfamiliar.

Then, without really noticing, things change. You know which bus to take. You have a favorite coffee place. Someone recognizes you on campus. You understand a random Turkish sentence, and you no longer need Google Maps every five minutes.

You’re not just visiting Istanbul anymore. You’re studying and living here.

That’s one of the parts of Erasmus nobody can really explain before you arrive.

So travel, go out, explore Istanbul and have those ridiculous nights. But enjoy the ordinary university days too.

One day, even that class you complained about all semester might become part of what you miss.