Outgoing

Visit our YouTube channel to watch OzU Outgoing Exchange Students' Testimonial Videos:

 2023-2024 Academic Year Erasmus+ Outgoing Students' Testimonials

 2022-2023 Academic Year Erasmus+ Outgoing Students' Testimonials

  
Serdar Ali Sönmez
2023-2024 Bahar, Erasmus+
CEU Cardinal Herrera University, Spain (Valencia)

"Honestly,It was challenging. For me to adapt the envirmonment was harsh because of the academic fear. Education system a bit mixed compared to Turkey. You can pass without going lessons but I can say that it is impossible. I went almost every class except one course. I must say that I tried to get a passing grade because the courses hard and you have to get minumum 5/10. In engineering courses this is a bit mess. Conversion letter grades are relentless. I studied harder than OzU and I did not get that I expected. I passed so many courses but my very high gpa (subjective opinion) is decreased. There is no much course that we can get in English. That's why I took Spanish Engineering Courses. I have managed to pass some of them but it was lifetime challenging experince for me. I have discovered myself in that process. Professors are helping a lot if you want to learn something. I will be grateful forever. The quality in education was imperessive. The therotical backbone in every course was strong and I can truly say that I have found the passion of my life with the courses that I took in that instution. The people generally have a tolerence with you. I have so many Spanish and international friends in the school. When I pass the second month the other part of the term was like a dream. I will never forget the things that experienced throughout the term. In general, I am pleased about the process."

 Hana Sayed
2023-2024 Bahar, Erasmus+
CEU Cardinal Herrera University, Spain (Valencia)

"My Erasmus experience at CEU in Valencia was nothing but incredible. The university has a campus with many buildings, but the Architecture building was 10 minutes walking away from the main campus. The architecture building was pretty small building; it was only two floors with 5-6 classes in each floor. The class sizes varies, some classes were only 11-12 students and some classes were like 30-40 students, but most classes were pretty small. I appreciated the smaller class sizes, which allowed for meaningful discussions and closer interactions with classmates from all over the world. The course registration was done from the learning agreement and I did not have to register any of my courses; they were added automatically. Almost all of the courses I had, had assignments and did not have a written midterm or final. Most courses had an assignment due every week or sometimes every two weeks, and overall, the classes were a bit intense and the workload was a bit more than Özyeğin. The faculty members were easily accessible through the Teams App and were very responsive and helpful. The professors were extremely friendly, professional, understanding, and nice; they were treating the students like friends and not as their superiors, and this was something that I loved and made me feel very comfortable. The language of instruction was strictly English, and almost all of the students in the Architecture faculty were international students."

 Ada Ulutaş
2023-2024 Bahar, Erasmus+ 
Liege University, Belgium

"I had an amazing time in Belgium. I met people from all around the globe, and I truly believe it's an experience everyone should have at least once in their life. As for course registrations, everything was already set up for me, so I didn’t add any courses afterward. Everyone was super helpful to each other about the classes, and the teachers were always easy to reach and ready to answer any questions. All my courses were in English, which made it easy for me to follow along; I’d say the teachers had a fine accent. The class sizes were just right, not too big like in our college, but not too small either, so there was always a place to sit. Assessments were pretty creative; most of the time, it involved writing a paper or giving a presentation, which made it easier to connect with both students and teachers in class. I have to mention that the international office was quick at replying to emails, and they were so helpful throughout the whole process. They organized a lot of gatherings with other students, which really helped me settle into the exchange period."

Ali Türken
2023-2024 Spring, Erasmus+ 
Estonian Business School, Estonya
"I went to Estonia as an exchange student, asking myself questions anxiously if I could fit in, if I could find people to talk to, if I would have any problems with the education system. I came back knowing well that these questions were so pointless, simply because the amazing reality and the inclusivity of the Erasmus experience. I met countless people from all over the globe coming to this small city. I never would have guessed how much this exchange program would change how I perceived my life and my future. Even though northern European countries are seen as less social, Estonia was a warm welcoming country full of happy people and lots of international students. What I would recommend to people that go on the exchange program is to meet as many people as they can and go to the local Erasmus Student Network events where you will get to meet many international students in the exact same position as you. Not only can you meet new students, you can also meet your own people too! The picture was taken in the Old town of Tallinn, Estonia, with other Turkish students going for the Erasmus program in Lithuania when they came over to visit Estonia. Whatever you do, if you have the chance or feel like its a risk you could take, take it and it will probably give you a life changing experience."

Bilal Raza
2023-2024 Spring, Erasmus+ 
Maastricht University, the Netherlands
"Eight months at Maastricht University? Time flew faster than a Dutch cyclist! From canal-side study sessions to making friends worldwide, this experience was a wild mix of adventure and learning. One of the biggest lessons? You can’t fault anyone for seeing the world differently—it’s what makes life interesting. I’m leaving Maastricht with incredible memories, a few extra stroopwafels, and a head full of fresh perspectives. Cheers to a semester that changed the way I see the world, and maybe even the weather!"

 Berfin Vuslat Filiz
2023-2024 Spring, Erasmus+ 
Alice Salomon Hochschule Berlin, Germany
"My time in Berlin as part of the Erasmus programme at Alice Salomon Hochschule was a fantastic experience. The academic environment was really supportive and inspiring. The course registration process was very systematic and user-friendly, which made it a much less stressful experience for me. There were different ways to take the exam, including written tests, podcasts, essays, presentations, and group work. The variety was great for different learning styles and let students show off their talents in lots of different ways. The faculty members were really approachable and always happy to help. You could also get in touch outside office hours by email or make an appointment to see them. The school taught in German as a general rule, but there were lots of English courses on offer for Erasmus students. This was really helpful for getting over the language barrier and making it easier for international students to settle in."    

 Serra Naz Yıldızbaş
2023-2024 Spring, Erasmus+ 
IE University - Madrid, Spain
"It honestly has been an absolute amazing experience on my part. Can totally say it expanded my horizons, helped me grow myself as a person and was beneficial for me. Though it has been challenging at times I’m glad that I did the exchange. Firstly, my Erasmus experience was not like the traditional ones because my school was in a 30-story skyscraper in the financial district of Madrid. However, I believe this had both pros and cons. My school provided a very innovative and up-to-date education. The full-time students were mostly international rather than local, giving it a somewhat Swiss boarding school atmosphere and providing an extensive global network opportunity. You need to choose your campus based on the courses you will take, either Madrid or Segovia, and I chose the Madrid campus. However, as I mentioned, since my school was in a skyscraper, it did not fully create a campus environment, let alone your usual Erasmus bonding ambiance. It felt as if like you came in for a work shift if you had a class and left if you didn’t. Still, if you participate in various events organised periodically, you can find opportunities to blend in with school folks, of course. As a business student, the fact that this school ranks 26th worldwide in the QS ranking for business and management studies and holds 1st and 2nd places in qs and the Financial Times rankings for its master’s programs were my main considerations in choosing this school. Additionally, the school is very sensitive about sustainability, and you can truly feel this in most of their initiatives. Furthermore, the teachers are very attentive, free from any whims you can think of, student-friendly, and value students. In this respect, it is very easy to talk to them, ask for suggestions, or voice your problems. The course registration is a bit different from our school. To ensure the first-come, first-served principle, they have implemented a software system for accessing the course registration site, and you are queued based on your priority in clicking the link, and until your turn comes, you are kept in a waiting portal without accessing the site. (I thought this process would be active exactly at the course selection time, but it turns out that if you click the link on the course selection day, the software prioritizes you in the queue). However, there is an issue with the course registration system. Before accessing this system, you cannot see which days and times the courses are offered, as you can at Özyeğin, meaning that you can’t plan your potential timetable beforehand. This might lead you having many course conflicts during enrolment -since you are an exchange student and take random courses- as it happened to me. Additionally, your timetable resembles the rotating schedule system in the UK; you can have a different schedule each week. Therefore, you need to pay attention to where your classes are and at what times they are each week, and some of your courses may start in January while others may start in February. Naturally, the end dates also vary. Although the number of students in your classes may vary based on the courses you take, they generally have a small number of students, ranging from 30 to 50. Some of the assignments are different from what we are used to, but you easily adapt to them with the syllabus and the teachers’ explanations. And since the school caters to an international audience, most of the courses are taught in English, but there are still some Spanish courses available for students who want to take them. Also the school started on 8th of Jan for me so I had to begin my exchange term before the fall term in OzU had even finished."

 Ali Türken
2023-2024 Spring, Erasmus+ 
Estonian Business School, Estonia
"I went to Estonia as an exchange student, asking myself questions anxiously if I could fit in, if I could find people to talk to, if I would have any problems with the education system. I came back knowing well that these questions were so pointless, simply because the amazing reality and the inclusivity of the Erasmus experience. I met countless people from all over the globe coming to this small city. I never would have guessed how much this exchange program would change how I perceived my life and my future. Even though northern European countries are seen as less social, Estonia was a warm welcoming country full of happy people and lots of international students. What I would recommend to people that go on the exchange program is to meet as many people as they can and go to the local Erasmus Student Network events where you will get to meet many international students in the exact same position as you. Not only can you meet new students, you can also meet your own people too! The picture was taken in the Old town of Tallinn, Estonia, with other Turkish students going for the Erasmus program in Lithuania when they came over to visit Estonia. Whatever you do, if you have the chance or feel like its a risk you could take, take it and it will probably give you a life changing experience."                  

Pelin Uzun
2023-2024 Güz, Erasmus+ 
University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", İtalya
"The best decision ever! Im really proud of myself about this decision even if I went in my last year especially before graduation but it worth it. Every student has to go and experience this special six months. I will never forget!"                

A. Bilhan Karaaslan
2020-2021 Spring, Erasmus+
Maastricht University, Netherlands

"It was surprising to see how a small city can offer wide experiences thanks to the people inside of it. Being together with people who are as ready as you to experience new things was a priceless opportunity Erasmus+ project provided."

Ahmet Taş
2020-2021 Fall, Global Exchange
University of Texas at Dallas, USA

"If you are thinking to join Global Exchange, keep your motivation whatever it takes. Yes, it’s all about challenges, but this is the thing that will make you stronger."

Nagihan Özman
2019-2020 Fall, Erasmus+
Tilburg University, Netherlands

"My name is Nagihan Özman and I was an exchange student at Tilburg University, Netherlands within the scope of the Erasmus+ Study Mobility Programme in the 2019-2020 fall semester. My Erasmus adventure has a very special place in my life. It has been my dream since I started at Ozyegin University. I can describe my Erasmus+ experience as a process in which I rediscovered myself and realized what I can succeed. During my Erasmus+, I was more social, energetic, and productive than ever. I traveled to many cities and countries in Europe, made great friends from all over the world, and explored different cultures. As I learned and experienced more, my horizon was widened. Moreover, I had a lot of fun in the events of I*ESN Tilburg and our friends gathering. Also, I learned a lot from my professors and my friends at Tilburg University. On my way to the Netherlands, I was hoping that I would return as a different person 6 months later, and it happened. I turned back to Turkey as someone who is a more social and better English speaker and who has higher self-confidence and has great memories. I was lucky because both Ozyegin University and Tilburg university supported me from the beginning till the end. I experienced the best 6 months in my life ever during my Erasmus+ journey. What makes it special is that it was my first trip with my Spanish and Turkish friends all together. The best photo that represents my Erasmus days is a photo of me and my friends from a day full of good memories."

Berkin Çolpan
2018-2019 Spring, Erasmus+
Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg Mosbach, Germany

"I had an opportunity to spend a great semester at DHBW with 29 engineering students from 7 countries. It was a special international engineering program that was well designed with different social and cultural events, factory tours, and a trip to Hannover for one of the most important industry fairs. This picture was from outside of the hostel we stayed in Hannover for a trip in the first week of the semester, as the first activity of the orientation program, I was trying to explain different keywords on the poster which was prepared by 6 German students according to the most known things of Turkey and some stereotypes about Turkey. It was a spectacular experience to represent my country by breaking down stereotypes. I believe each student in this special program is still feeling the gains of the program as a game-changer in their life."

Berna Bolsoy
2018-2019 Fall, Erasmus+
Turku University of Applied Science, Finland

"Erasmus+ days... The days I recall as the milestone of my life. The days made me meet with my great hidden potential. The days lighting the fire of continuous exploring and learning inside me. Imagine that you are a person who hates uncertainty and does anything to avoid it. And then, you decide to study abroad for a couple of months and dive into uncertainty itself. Afterwards, all you need is to trust yourself and go with the flow. I exactly did these, spent 4 full months in Finland. Joined culture-sharing clubs, did outdoor activities, worked voluntarily in entrepreneurship society, run a project with a multinational team and presented to the company's CEO. This photo could be a nice snapshot of my Erasmus+ experience describing boundaries are only illusions in human's mind."

Ecem Ergün
2018-2019 Fall, Erasmus+
ESDES Lyon Business School, France

"If anyone asks me "If you have the chance to go back to your university life, which semester would it be?" Without hesitation, it would be the semester that I made amazing, long-lasting friendships all over the world; discovered the local streets in France and learned how to be Lyonnaise, tasted different traditional and famous foods, and even sometimes questioned why they are famous =), got full of pasta and pizza when I was in Milan, mesmerized by the view in Florence that I missed the bus to Bologna, had a boat trip in St. Tropez, woke up to a very cold and snowy but heartwarming morning in Montblanc, experiencing the panoramic view of Bordeaux from the very top of the city: on a rollercoaster, going to secret parties organized by the uni that you never know the venue and more countless memories with my sisters and my brothers in the international student club's event. I could never know this would be the best time of my life without giving it a chance. Cycling in the rain, having croissants very early in the morning, not understanding the French accent, not understanding French... and the Global Village Event that I was a part of. These were unforgettable experiences showing that how we became family in just 4 months. Now I know, I have a door in almost every country, I have friends who live so far away but just by me whenever I need. Sometimes it all begins by a hello and sometimes by saying YES."

Hüseyin Erkan Koç
2018-2019 Fall, Erasmus+
Lodz University of Technology, Poland

"Through the Erasmus+ Student Mobility Programme, I have studied in the architectural engineering program at the Technical University of Lodz in the winter semester of 18/19. The Erasmus experience was an amazing opportunity to foster openness to other cultures in a place like containing a marvelous mixture of nationalities and it made me feel like a global citizen. Afterward, living alone in unfamiliar territory was a big chance which taught me to be brave and trust myself more than ever. This experience was not only inspiring me for my own design style and skills but also had an impact on the perception of myself as an architect, a Turkish citizen, a young person, and so on through various environments, people and study practices. This eye-opening exchange programme also corroborated the idea of starting a master’s degree abroad and resulted in an MSc degree at the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany."

Hazal Bozdağ
2017-2018, Spring, Erasmus+
University of Lodz, Poland

"I feel that I have new lenses to see and understand the world after my Erasmus experience in Poland and it was the time I have realized meeting new people and learning about their way of life makes me feel alive."

Sedat Onur Çakırlar
2010-2011 Spring, Erasmus
Pforzheim University, Germany 

“Erasmus is the meeting point of youth from all around the world. Take your place in that picture!”

Mine Özer
2011-2012 Fall, Erasmus
ISM, Litvanya

“I suggest everyone who wants to be a part of an international community in the future to be a part of Erasmus Exchange Program. It is definitely worth it!”

Dasa Stanimirovic
2012-2013 Fall, Erasmus
University of Bologna, Italy

"Take an exciting, adventurous journey to self-discovery, personal growth and a novel perspective on the world around you, form enriching, and life-long friendships in just a few minutes and accomplish in a matter of months what many have failed to attain in an entire lifetime."

İrem Demircioğlu
2012-2013 Fall, Erasmus
Pforzheim University,Germany

“If you already caught or about the catch the opportunity of being an Erasmus student, I suggest you go ahead with it. Erasmus exchange was one of the best decisions of my life. It is the right choice for you if you are interested in travelling, getting to know new people, and learning new languages just like me.”

Jamila Humbatlı
2013-2014 Spring, Erasmus
Pforzheim University, Germany

"It was the best time of my life!!! I will always remember my exchange semester in Pfrozheim, Germany as it has brought so many amazing things to my life! I met new friends, I got engaged in German culture, I got to experience their education system and I enjoyed every second of it! "

Semih Altaş
2013-2014 Spring, Erasmus
Poznan University of Technology, Poland

"Erasmus is definitely a period that needs to be experienced in a lifetime. I feel lucky to have acquired this opportunity due to the experiences gained and faced realties. If you would like to meet with new cultures and friends you should attend to this program."

Mine Özataş
2013-2014 Spring, Erasmus
Carlos III de Madrid, Spain

"It has been a month since the Erasmus term is over and I am still in touch with friends who are planning to come to Istanbul and with those whom we spent our study abroad period together. To keep our exchange term memories alive… If I had the courage to delay my graduation, I would definitely reconsider attending to the Erasmus exchange again. I experienced a lot of difficulties and still can say “good that I went”."