Internships in Turkey are not only a necessity, but can also be one of the most exciting steps in your career journey. Especially for international students, this experience offers great opportunities to get to know the Turkish business culture and gain new skills. But let’s face it, it is not always easy to carry out this process without financial support.
In this article, I will explain in detail how you can financially support your internship in Turkey. Scholarships, grants, university grants and more await you.
The Importance and Opportunities of Internship in Turkey
My first internship experience in Turkey was at a digital agency in Izmir, and to tell you a lie, I couldn’t even drive a metrobus in the first week. But I learned a lot about business life. Internships in Turkey develop not only technical skills but also “soft skills” such as cultural awareness and teamwork.
Why It Matters
- Internship in Turkey and adapt to the local business world.
- You get the chance to try yourself in different sectors.
- Add an international touch to your CV.
- You can fund this experience through your university or external funding.
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Government Supported Programs for International Students
There are various government supports available for foreign students who want to do an internship in Turkey. These supports not only provide direct financial assistance, but also guidance in the application process.
The Most Known Government Supports
| Program Name | Type of Support | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Erasmus+ Internship Mobility | Monthly grant | EU funded; application is made through a Turkish university. |
| TUBITAK 2247-C | Research scholarship | Provides internship opportunities and scholarships in technical fields. |
| KOSGEB Entrepreneurship Program | Education + support | Offers grants to interns with entrepreneurial ideas. |
Application Tips
- Your motivation letter for internship applications in Turkey should be personal.
- Contact your university’s International Office for Erasmus grants.
- Prepare your documents in Turkish and English.
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👉 The Process of Obtaining a Work Permit for International Students in Turkey
Financial Supports and Scholarships Provided by Universities
Many universities offer support programs for students doing internships in Turkey. These can be in the form of transportation assistance, food scholarships or direct cash payments.
Types of University Support
- Food scholarship: One free meal a day or a canteen card.
- Transportation support: IstanbulKart or similar urban transportation support.
- Internship scholarship: Short-term financial support (usually for summer internships).
Sample Supports
| University | Type of Support | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Boğaziçi University | Internship Scholarship | Provided to summer interns. |
| Istanbul Technical University | Transportation + meal card | Given for off-campus compulsory internships. |
| Ege University | Volunteer internship support | Given to a limited number of students upon application. |
You should check your university’s announcements at the beginning of each semester to access these grants. Some applications may only remain open for a few weeks.
Private Sector and NGO Funded Scholarship and Grant Opportunities
Not only the government, but also the private sector and non-governmental organizations offer significant support for international students doing internships in Turkey. These supports are usually project-based or sectoral-oriented; in other words, the scholarships offered to someone studying engineering and someone studying media may differ.
Who Supports
- Big companies: Companies such as Arçelik, Turkcell and Ford Otosan provide their interns with an allowance or meal card.
- Foundations: Organizations such as the Sabancı Foundation and Vehbi Koç Foundation provide need-based scholarships.
- International NGOs: UNDP Turkey, AIESEC and other volunteer organizations offer project-based internships.
Sample Supports
| Institution/Company | Type of Support | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AIESEC Turkey | Accommodation + pocket money | For those involved in social projects |
| Sabancı Foundation | Need scholarship | Valid for the whole year, |
| Arçelik | Food + transportation | Available for technical interns during the summer |
We have two suggestions for students who want to connect with the private sector and participate in activities such as case studies and hackathons:
TOBB 2025 Fair Calendar: You can find the official list of career, education and sector fairs organized across Turkey here. The fairs are important both for meeting employers one-on-one and for establishing direct contact with the institutions that provide support.
Youthall Event Platform: Here you can find career events, networking meetings and online competitions organized by many big companies operating in Turkey. Stay tuned for opportunities to show yourself, especially before your internship.
Work Permission and Legal Rights During Internship
There are some legal restrictions for foreign students doing internships in Turkey, but don’t be intimidated. As long as you have the appropriate visa type, it is possible to do an internship under certain conditions.
What is Legal Status?
- If you are doing an obligatory internship, you usually do not need a work permit.
- Volunteer internship may require permission from the Ministry of Interior Migration Management.
- It is usually the employer’s responsibility to register for SSI (social security) while doing an internship in Turkey.
Working Hours
| Status | Weekly Working Time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Internship | 30–40 hours | Depends on agreement between university and company |
| Voluntary Internship | Max 30 hours | Work permit may be required |
| Part-time Work/Internship | 24 hours (for students) | Legal limit, but some flexibility is available |
The official website of the Department of Migration Management is a good starting point if you want to get detailed information.
Başvuru Süreci: Necessary Documents and Tips for Supports
If you want to get financial support for an internship in Turkey, there’s a bit of paperwork involved, but it’s all doable. The application process is similar for both university grants and external scholarships.
Required Documents
- Current student certificate (English and/or Turkish)
- CV and motivation letter
- Transcript (transcript)
- Photocopy of birth certificate/passport
- Bank account information (for scholarship)
Application Tips
- Back up your documents digitally.
- Personalize your motivational letter according to the organization you are applying to.
- When you find an internship position in Turkey, contact your supervisor immediately.
- Formalize the process with your university’s internship coordinator.
Some scholarships or grants receive a lot of applications, so you can make your documents more effective with CV and Resume Preparation in Turkey: You can make your documents more effective with Local Expectations content.
Conclusion: Time to Take Action for Internships in Turkey
In Turkey, internships are not just a necessity, they can be the first serious step in your career. Moreover, there is a lot of support to make this step financially easier. With Erasmus grants, university grants, private sector scholarships and legal permits, you can carry out this process more planned.
What you need to do is very simple: gather your documents, follow the announcements and don’t miss the support applications.
Now you are one step closer to the support you need to power your internship in Turkey.
Road to Study to discover scholarships and career guides.