🇪🇺 ErasmusDays 2026 in Istanbul: Discover Opportunities, Meet New People & Celebrate Cultures
October 12–17, 2026 | International education, cultural exchange, language learning, and new friendships across Istanbul.
Nate
12 October 2026 · 👁 8 views
What if one conversation could change the way you see the world?
It might happen during a language exchange, a cultural workshop, a university event, or simply while meeting someone from another country.
That’s the spirit of ErasmusDays 2026, taking place from October 12 to 17.
For six days, universities, youth organizations, students, and communities around the world celebrate international education, cultural diversity, and the opportunities created by Erasmus+.
And Istanbul, a city connecting Europe and Asia, is a particularly fitting place to celebrate.
This year, Smileys Community is joining the celebrations with its own cultural exchange evening on Friday, October 16, featuring language exchange, speed friending, and an Erasmus Welcome Party in Kadıköy.
Whether you’re an Erasmus student, a Turkish university student, an expat, or simply interested in meeting people from different cultures, ErasmusDays offers plenty of reasons to get involved.
What Is ErasmusDays?
ErasmusDays is an international initiative celebrating Erasmus+, the European Union programme supporting education, training, youth, and sport.
First launched in 2017, it has grown into a worldwide celebration of international mobility, cultural understanding, and cooperation.
In 2025, more than 10,000 activities took place across 59 countries.
2026 marks the 10th edition, with the theme:
“Learning and Growing: Skills for Tomorrow.”
Throughout the week, participating organizations organize workshops, conferences, cultural activities, exhibitions, and social gatherings.
Some events are open to everyone, while others require registration or are intended for specific student groups.
ErasmusDays 2026: What’s Happening in Istanbul?
Several organizations in Istanbul are participating in this year’s celebrations.
Here are some activities worth exploring.
October 12 — European Gastronomy Workshop
Time: 17:00–20:00
Location: Cafe Maya, Rasimpaşa, Kadıköy
Organizer: CORBIZ
Explore culinary traditions from Italy, France, and Türkiye through a hands-on cultural workshop.
Participants can discover different dishes while exchanging stories and meeting people from different backgrounds.
Check availability and registration requirements with the organizer.
October 12 — Erasmus+ Opportunities Through Nature
Location: Sultangazi, Istanbul
Organizer: İlk Sen Ol Gençlik Hareketi Derneği
This activity combines an outdoor trekking experience with information about Erasmus+ and international youth opportunities.
It’s an alternative way to discover educational programmes while connecting with other young people.
October 13 — Seven Hills, Seven Regions, One Erasmus+ Spirit
Time: 11:00–13:00
Location: Pendik Atatürk Cultural Center
An event featuring cultural activities, language games, and Erasmus+ experiences.
A useful introduction for students interested in studying abroad and participating in international projects.
October 14 — From Borders to Bridges
Time: 15:40–18:10
Location: Istanbul University, Fatih
Organizer: eufora youth
Discover Erasmus+ mobility opportunities, international youth projects, and practical ways to become involved in European programmes.
Particularly relevant for university students exploring opportunities beyond their current studies.
October 15 — Discover Opportunities with Erasmus+
Time: 13:30–16:30
Location: Zeytinburnu, Istanbul
An informational activity involving Zeytinburnu Municipality and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University.
The programme primarily targets younger students interested in future international educational opportunities.
October 17 — Facilitator Academy Workshop
Location: Sultangazi, Istanbul
A workshop focused on communication, leadership, facilitation skills, and Erasmus+ opportunities.
Participation is limited, so advance registration is recommended.
Please note: Dates, participation requirements, and availability may change. Confirm details with individual organizers.
Explore additional activities on the official ErasmusDays event calendar.
Friday, October 16 — ErasmusDays Cultural Exchange & Welcome Party
Location: Rock’n Rolla Gastropub, Kadıköy
Time: 19:00 onwards
Organizer: Smileys Community
One of the best ways to celebrate international exchange is to bring people together in real life.
On Friday, October 16, Smileys Community is organizing an evening for Erasmus students, international residents, and Turkish locals to connect, practice languages, and make new friends.
The programme begins with free cultural exchange activities and continues with an international welcome party featuring Erasmus student DJs.
Whether you’ve just arrived in Istanbul or have lived here for years, you’re welcome to join.
Event Timetable
Time
Activity
19:00–19:15
Welcome & Registration
19:15–20:00
Language Exchange – Conversation Tables
20:00–20:15
Speed Friending – Round 1
20:15–20:30
Speed Friending – Round 2
20:30–21:00
Open Language Exchange & Socializing
21:00 onwards
Erasmus Welcome Party – Student DJs & International Music
Language Exchange: 19:15–20:00
Practice languages in a welcoming environment where everyone can participate, regardless of fluency.
Planned conversation tables include:
English
Turkish
French
Spanish
Italian
German
Tables are subject to host availability.
You don’t need perfect grammar or an extensive vocabulary. Just bring your curiosity and a willingness to communicate.
Speed Friending: 20:00–20:30
Meeting new people in a big city can sometimes feel difficult, especially when you’ve just arrived.
Speed friending makes introductions easier.
Through two rounds of short, rotating conversations, participants have the opportunity to meet several people in a relaxed and friendly setting.
Come alone or with friends. Everyone gets a chance to connect.
Open Socializing: 20:30–21:00
After the structured activities, enjoy open conversations, return to your favorite language table, or get to know someone you’ve just met.
It’s a chance to turn quick introductions into longer conversations.
Erasmus Welcome Party: From 21:00
The evening continues with international music and Erasmus student DJs.
Expect a mix of musical styles, familiar favorites, and an international atmosphere bringing students and locals together.
Erasmus students interested in DJing are also encouraged to get involved and share their music.
19:00–21:00: Free cultural exchange activities.
21:00 onwards: Erasmus Welcome Party.
Registration: Find the event and RSVP through Smileys Community.
This is an independently organized Smileys Community event taking place during ErasmusDays week.
The Erasmus Experience Is More Than Studying Abroad
For many students, Erasmus becomes one of the most memorable periods of their lives.
But the experiences that stay with us aren’t always the lectures, exams, or university assignments.
They’re the unexpected friendships, shared meals, spontaneous adventures, and conversations that introduce us to different ways of thinking.
Yet there’s a common challenge.
It’s easy to spend an entire exchange surrounded only by other Erasmus students.
While international friendships are valuable, staying within the same circle can mean missing the opportunity to discover the local culture.
In Istanbul, that means overlooking a huge part of what makes the city special.
Its neighborhoods, traditions, university communities, and everyday social life offer countless opportunities to learn something new.
ErasmusDays is a reminder to step outside your usual circle.
Meet Turkish students. Explore unfamiliar neighborhoods. Practice another language. Join activities that bring different communities together.
Sometimes the best experiences begin when you do something you hadn’t planned.
Do You Have to Be an Erasmus Student to Participate?
Not at all.
The spirit of ErasmusDays goes beyond university exchange programmes.
Turkish students can learn about international opportunities.
Expats and digital nomads can discover new communities.
Former Erasmus students can reconnect with the international atmosphere they enjoyed during their exchange.
And internationally minded locals can experience cultural exchange without leaving Istanbul.
While individual ErasmusDays activities may have participation requirements, the wider celebration encourages curiosity, openness, and international cooperation.
Five Ways to Make the Most of ErasmusDays
Meet someone outside your usual circle. Introduce yourself to a person from a different country or background.
Practice a new language. Even a few words can open the door to meaningful conversations.
Discover Erasmus+ opportunities. Explore exchanges, volunteering, youth projects, and international education.
Experience local culture. Meet Turkish students and explore Istanbul beyond its tourist attractions.
Keep the connections going. A friendship formed during ErasmusDays can continue long after the celebrations end.
Keep the Erasmus Spirit Alive All Year
ErasmusDays lasts six days, but international friendships don’t need an expiration date.
At Smileys Community, we bring together Erasmus students, expats, digital nomads, and internationally minded locals through real-life experiences.
From language exchanges and cultural walks to hiking, sailing, international gatherings, and social events, our goal is to help people discover Istanbul together.
Our Erasmus Students Hub helps international students find activities, meet new people, and become part of a wider community.
Because the best part of living abroad isn’t simply discovering a new country.
It’s the people you meet along the way.
Join Smileys Community: https://smileyscommunity.com/app
Explore the official ErasmusDays programme: https://www.erasmusdays.eu/events/
Sound like your kind of Istanbul?
Smileys is where people here meet in real life — dinners, walks, clubs. Small, curated, no feed to scroll.