Studying abroad through the Erasmus program can be every student’s dream. But that dream can sometimes be overshadowed by bureaucracy and uncertainty. Özyeğin University is one of the rare universities that facilitates this process and offers its students a truly global experience. It offers a rich environment both academically and culturally and prepares its students for a strong future through international collaborations.
What is the Erasmus Program and How does it work at Özyeğin?
Erasmus+ is a system that enables student exchange between universities in Europe. In short, you study in another country for a while, but you stay enrolled in your own school. Isn’t it great?
Özyeğin University conducts the Erasmus process in a planned and student-friendly manner rather than in a complicated way. The application process is usually announced in the middle of the academic year. Selection criteria include GPA, foreign language level and motivational letter. Once you are accepted, both the academic advisor and the International Relations Office start to support you.
The English-speaking environment, modern infrastructure and student clubs make it easy for incoming Erasmus students to adapt. Outgoing students usually spend a semester at leading European universities.
I suggest you check the Erasmus+ official website for official processes and details.
In which countries are the Erasmus partners of Ozyegin University?
Özyeğin’s Erasmus network is not limited to a few countries. There are contracted universities in Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland and many other countries. Thanks to this network, there are various opportunities for both students studying in technical departments and those studying in social sciences.
For example, there are active exchange programs with prestigious institutions such as University of Mannheim in Germany, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences in Belgium, and ITMO University in Russia. Every year, dozens of students from different departments study at these universities or come to Özyeğin from these schools.
An Erasmus experience is not just about classes. It means meeting cities, people, different cultures. Studying in a historical and cosmopolitan city like Istanbul is an unforgettable experience for many students.
A Student Tells: How Was My Erasmus Experience?
Lina Emilia Liebendörfer is one of the Erasmus students who came to Istanbul from the University of Mannheim in Germany. She studied at Özyeğin University during the 2024-25 academic year and describes her experiences as follows:
“Studying at Özyeğin University for two semesters was a very positive and rewarding experience for me. The campus was organized and modern and the people were helpful. Most of all, I admired the diversity of Istanbul. It was really impressive to live in this city where tradition and modernity, continents and cultures meet.”
Similarly, Mery Carhuaricra Espinoza from Belgium felt at home from day one:
“I learned a lot both academically and socially. It was a great chance for me to get to know Turkish culture closely and meet people from different countries.”
Finally, Elizaveta Tretiak from Russia says the experience changed the way she thinks:
“I learned to appreciate the simple things, to look at each day more carefully. I am grateful to Istanbul and Özyeğin.”
If these comments have inspired you and you want to write your own story, you can contact us via Road to Study.
International Exchange Programs: More than Erasmus
Erasmus has always been the most well-known exchange program, but Özyeğin University does not stop there. Thanks to the university’s international vision, many different cooperation and exchange opportunities are available to students. This means that there are also options for students who want to go outside Europe or participate in more specific academic programs.
Özyeğin’s “Global Exchange” programs allow you to study in countries such as the United States, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Canada. These agreements usually work in the form of reciprocal student exchanges, like Erasmus, but with countries outside the EU. These opportunities are particularly attractive for students looking to gain global experience in fields such as technology and business.
Thanks to such opportunities, it is possible to earn course credits and experience cultural enrichment. You can also check the institutions that Özyeğin University partners with for these programs on IAU’s international network page.
Why Özyeğin University is a Good Choice for a Global Education?
I can honestly say this: A global vision cannot be achieved through foreign connections alone. You need to feel that vision on campus. This is exactly what Özyeğin University is doing.
Thanks to the English language of instruction, both international and Turkish students are better prepared for the global business world. A significant part of the academic staff consists of people who have studied or worked abroad. This means that not only book knowledge but also international experience is shared in the classroom.
On campus, you have the opportunity to study with hundreds of students from different nationalities. This makes you more culturally open-minded and strengthens your communication and collaboration skills. In addition, activities such as student clubs, conferences and case competitions enrich this multicultural environment.
And of course Istanbul… Drinking tea on the Bosphorus and walking from Europe to Asia, witnessing the history of the world just a few Metrobus stops away – these may sound cliché, but you really appreciate it when you live here.
In short, Özyeğin University gives you not only a diploma, but also an international perspective.
If you want to start this journey, you can get information on Road to Study and take the first step with counseling support.
Erasmus at Ozyegin University: Is it really that good?
Erasmus at Ozyegin University is not just a one-semester exchange, it can be a life-changing experience. The kind you can look back on and say “I’m glad I did it”.
If studying in a city like Istanbul, at a university like Özyeğin, and exploring cultures at the same time sounds good to you, now is the time. Act now, because every good journey starts with a decision.