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Study Abroad in Türkiye

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Academic Year Programs

During your time in Türkiye, you will live with a host family and attend a local high school.

2027 Fall Year
$15,995Age Eligibility Born April 29, 2010 – Aug 28, 2012
  • ✈️Depart: Early September
  • ✈️Return: Late June
  • ✓Host family placement
  • ✓Orientations
  • ✓Language class
  • ✓Airport transfers
  • ✓Domestic & international travel
  • ✓YFU Türkiye on-program support
  • ✓Comprehensive insurance
  • ⏰ Application deadline: Apr 1, 2027
Apply

Academic Year Program Details

School

Students need to have high level of responsibility and commitment towards school and  be motivated to adapt to Turkish education system which means being able to work individually and proactively.

Students are placed in 11th grade, even students who are on the older end of the age range, however, placements are also made in the 10th grade as it is less academically strenuous and allows more time with friends and outside activities.

The Turkish education system is highly academic, especially once students reach the 11th grade. Higher level students also have private courses after school hours. For this reason students, student choosing 11th grade studies may have challenges with social activities with friends from school, so the lower level 9th or 10th grad is recommend for most students. School year placement will be decided upon your host family placement.

Orientations

All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.

Upon arrival in the Türkiye, students will attend an arrival orientation. During this orientation students will meet other exchange students and learn about life in Türkiye. Year-long students can also expect a mid-year as well as re-entry orientations during their stay.

Language

Turkish. Students should be motivated to learn Turkish and are encouraged to begin learning as soon as they apply. No prior Turkish language experience is required, though arriving with a few basic phrases will help you settle in quickly and make a wonderful first impression on your host family.

Students will attend Turkish language courses either online or close to their host family. The courses may differ depending on the available options around their location and the student’s base skill in Turkish upon arrival.

Semester Programs

During your time in Türkiye, you will live with a host family and attend a local high school.

2027 Fall Semester
$14,595Age Eligibility Born Feb 19, 2008 – Aug 18, 2011
  • ✈️Depart: Early September
  • ✈️Return: Late January
  • ✓Host family placement
  • ✓Orientations
  • ✓Language class
  • ✓Airport transfers
  • ✓Domestic & international travel
  • ✓YFU Türkiye on-program support
  • ✓Comprehensive insurance
  • ⏰ Application deadline: Apr 1, 2027
Apply

Semester Program Details

School

Students need to have high level of responsibility and commitment towards school and  be motivated to adapt to Turkish education system which means being able to work individually and proactively.

Students are placed in 11th grade, even students who are on the older end of the age range, however, placements are also made in the 10th grade as it is less academically strenuous and allows more time with friends and outside activities.

The Turkish education system is highly academic, especially once students reach the 11th grade. Higher level students also have private courses after school hours. For this reason students, student choosing 11th grade studies may have challenges with social activities with friends from school, so the lower level 9th or 10th grad is recommend for most students. School year placement will be decided upon your host family placement.

Orientations

All students applying for the semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.

Upon arrival in the Türkiye, students will attend an arrival orientation. During this orientation students will meet other exchange students and learn about life in Türkiye! Semester students can also expect a re-entry orientation during their stay.

Language

Turkish. Students should be motivated to learn Turkish and are encouraged to begin learning as soon as they apply. No prior Turkish language experience is required, though arriving with a few basic phrases will help you settle in quickly and make a wonderful first impression on your host family.

Students will attend Turkish language courses either online or close to their host family. The courses may differ depending on the available options around their location and the student’s base skill in Turkish upon arrival.

Study Abroad Participants
What to Expect

Merhaba! Welcome to the fascinating country of Türkiye: a land where East meets West, home to ancient civilizations, bustling bazaars, stunning coastal waters, and a culture that has shaped the world for thousands of years.

Türkiye has a long and storied academic tradition, with institutions like Middle East Technical University and Boğaziçi University consistently ranked among the top in the region. While studying in Türkiye, you and your new Turkish friends will most likely take classes in history, literature, mathematics, geography, science, and the arts — all set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most historically rich environments.

While you are abroad, wonder and discovery will greet you at every turn. You may explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus, sail along the turquoise Aegean coast, or wander the grand halls of Topkapı Palace with your host family. The country’s natural landscapes are just as striking — from the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia to the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale. Your host family may introduce you to beloved dishes like döner kebab, mercimek çorbası (lentil soup), and börek, a savory flaky pastry filled with cheese or meat. On special occasions, you will likely indulge in baklava, the iconic honey-soaked pastry layered with pistachios, and sip on sweet Turkish tea served in traditional tulip-shaped glasses.

After an unforgettable adventure in Türkiye, you will return home with a deeper understanding of where history began, a love for Turkish hospitality, and friendships that bridge two continents!

YFU USA is proud to send over 200 American students on cultural exchange with a full or partial scholarship each year. Financial assistance may be in the form of a merit-based scholarship, need-based financial aid, or Legacy Grant for students who are previously involved in the YFU Community. Scholarships may vary in deadline, requirements, and eligibility. To learn more, please visit our Scholarships Page to find details on the following scholarships eligible for the Türkiye:

YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund

Visa Information
Information concerning visas will be provided upon enrollment.

Additional Costs
As part of the visa process, students are required to register for a residence permit in Türkiye. Program tuition does not include the residence permit fee, personal spending money, or school-related costs such as books, transportation, and school trips.

As an exchange student in Türkiye, you’ll most certainly be captivated by the warmth of Turkish hospitality and the deep sense of history woven into everyday life. Don’t miss the pride behind these moments: straddling two continents and thousands of years of civilization, Türkiye is a nation of which its people are immensely proud.

Have questions or want to learn more about YFU Study Abroad Programs?

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It was hard to be uprooted in a foreign place, and be sent to another family in another country with a completely foreign language, but it turned out to be the most fantastic experience I could have had. It also taught me to be confident and to find poise and strengths within myself. I gained a world perspective and maturity that helped me do well in college afterward. It was a life-changing, wonderful year.

– Theresa