Hacettepe University - HU
speciality: Anthropology

I studied master’s degree there. The university is among the best universities in Turkey. İt is in the capital city, Ankara. The transportation is cheap and comfortable. Turkish people are quite hospitable and friendly and helpful. The master’s program is a bit difficult but it is very quality. We have read many prestigious books and articles there. İ have turned many of my assignments into publications with the encouragement from my professors.
İ was accepted as a PhD student to another university thanks to Hacettepe

The university is generally a good one, with a nice campus, library, green areas and trees. Most of the teachers are trying their best. But many things are not so good. Unfortunately, university life or studying is not just about teachers who know just their fields or courses.
First, being a foreigner is a big problem there, especially for language. Some teachers force foreign students to read, present and write in Turkish, even for English or optional program. The administration staffs are not so helpful to foreigners; they make you feel that you are not at “your place” (especially when you’re African). This makes the Hacettepe less international than it looks like or than it wishes to be.
Social and psychological life in Hacettepe is really horrible for foreign students if something goes wrong. No real assistance. For example, when start losing motivation, I told one of my professors in class. He responded to me: “this is not our business”. I felt so sad and kept quiet, I refused telling anything to anyone about my problems. Even when the teachers understood that my performance is decreasing and was talking about it, I had difficulties talking about and it took time to realize that I had depression. My visits to the university hospital were bad too.

HOW A UNIVERSITY CAN ASK YOU TO GIVE A CERTIFICATE TO PRESENT “ALES” YOU DIDN’T NEED TO START A PROGRAM BECAUSE YOU FELT SICK AND COULDN’T FINISH EARLY?

When you lost self-confidence, you’ll surely fail at university…

I hope that many things changed since the date (2017) I have suspended my program.