Erasmus mobility in Turkey: motivations and expectations of higher education students at METU

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Sosyoloji Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2017

Öğrenci: EREN ÇALIŞKAN

Danışman: BESİM CAN ZIRH

Özet:

This study focuses on the pre-mobility phase of Erasmus Program participation and aims to understand the determinants of Erasmus Program participation of higher education students in the case of METU. Although there has been a steady rise in terms of the demand and participation in the program throughout its implementation in the country, the Erasmus phenomenon is a particularly under-researched subject in Turkey. From this perspective, this study attempts to provide a picture of the Erasmus Program participant profile at METU in terms of demographic, socio-economic and departmental characteristics of the applicants. Moreover, this study also aims to reflect on the interpretation of Erasmus Program by the participants and their motivations and expectations to participate in the program. A comprehensive online survey had been conducted to the applicant cohort of 2017 application period at METU which consisted of 1107 students. The survey resulted with the participation of 415 applicants and it was followed by semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 19 students whose applications to participate in the program had been successful. The research revealed that the Erasmus phenomenon in Turkey is a multi-faceted subject, which can be interpreted and analyzed through wider theoretical discussions on the concepts ranging from mobility and biography to key characteristics of socio-economic status of the participants, their demographic and departmental profiles and personal expectations from the program. The study also revealed the effects of Turkey’s domestic political context on students’ drive to participate in Erasmus Program.