The last fifteen years of the internationalization of higher education in turkey

Abstract

Internationalization of higher education constitutes one of the most important fields on which all the countries around the world develop their policies by considering it as a dimension strengthening their higher education systems. Countries compete each other to increase the number of foreign students they have. Beyond the opportunities offered by countries, changes in the policies towards foreigners can directly affect the development of internalization of higher education. Recent developments in the United States of America and in England may particularly cause breaking points in the flow of foreign students. Having the biggest higher education system in Europe, Turkey shows tendency to have a stable increase in the number of foreign students in recent years. In this regard, this study deals with the last 15 years of internalization of higher education in Turkey, analyses the strengths and weaknesses based on the data, evaluates the possible opportunities for Turkey in the light of recent developments and tendencies in internalization worldwide and offers suggestions.