Europeanization and Refugee Integration in Higher Education in Türkiye: The Case of Dokuz Eylül University

Abstract

Türkiye hosts one of the largest refugee populations globally at approximately 2.7 million. As refugee arrivals increased, the number of refugee students in higher education also rose. Higher education policies have been shaped by both the Europeanization process and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As higher education in Türkiye internationalized, integration and campus cohesion became more salient policy concerns. This study contributes to the existing literature on the integration of refugee students who have been displaced to Türkiye, employing Dokuz Eylül University as a case study. It examines bilateral perceptions, learning processes, and interactions of both the host country university staff and students, as well as refugee students. The study’s findings indicate that mutual prejudices between the two student groups can be reduced by raising awareness of their socio-cultural similarities, which they have developed through socialization. It also suggests that the individual experiences and perspectives they have gained can promote harmony in broader community relations.