Exchange In Brief
The Koç University Student Exchange Office
Mission
The overarching objective of Koç University's Student Exchange Program is to generate and support a diverse environment, an enriched milieu where different thoughts, cultures, and values, not only co-exist, but also mutually contribute to the elevation of the individual and the collective.
To that end, the Student Exchange Program is constantly striving to expand the activities of students, faculty and staff in an international context.
Characteristics
Koç University (KU) has established student exchange partnerships with over 100 reputable institutions around the world, including University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, Bocconi University, HEC, and Tilburg University (for a full list of our partners, please click on Partner List).
Indeed, one of the defining elements of the KU Student Exchange Office is that we collaborate with top-tier institutions in such global destinations as North America, Australia, and the Far East, while concurrently participating in the European-based Erasmus Program.
Since 2004, Erasmus has facilitated a new age in educational opportunities for students. Sponsored by the European Union, the vision of Erasmus is to create a multi-national education for all its participants, intensifying circulation and awareness among its citizens. To learn more, please visit the European Commission for Education and Training.
Activities
KU's ever-increasing reputation and international recognition has generated a massive influx of international students from around the world.
In an effort to match these phenomenal numbers, KU Exchange has embarked upon an intense campaign to stimulate similar participation from KU students.
As we refine the quality and accessibility of our partners, facilitate and secure the cooperation and involvement of our Faculties, and generate awareness of the Exchange Programs among our students, we anticipate that the outgoing numbers will experience a marked increase over the next two to three years.
Endless Opportunities
Indeed, exchange offers an invaluable experience for students and participating institutions alike. International students on KU campus create a dynamic, multicultural environment, adding depth to the classroom and diversity to KU’s social life. For KU students, participating in the Exchange Programs has multi-faceted benefits. Academically, professionally, and personally, students add depth to themselves and their achievements. Erasmus students are even eligible to receive scholarships to fund their exchange experience.
The opportunities available through the Student Exchange Office, however, are not limited to the students. Through our involvement with the Erasmus program, KU faculty and staff can go on “exchange” as well (faculty click here for more information, non-teaching staff click here). Funding is available for faculty and staff to visit partner institutions and explore a variety of collaborative options: discussion of best practices, expansion of skill sets, initiation of joint research projects, and academic cooperation through guest lecturing. The possibilities are truly expansive, further including intensive programs, internship scholarships, and more!
Learn More
We invite you to explore our website. Outgoing students provides all information related to KU students going on exchange. Incoming students gives exchange students the "A-to-Z" guide on applying, matriculating, and making the most out of KU. Erasmus Lifelong Learning Program supplies basic facts and general guidelines for faculty/staff exchange and the overall Erasmus concept. Don't forget to check out the Exchange Newsletter and other links off our Home Page as well!
Our doors are always open for questions, suggestions, and unique opportunities. For all inquiries related to Incoming Exchange Students, please contact Burcu Albayrak at balbayrak@ku.edu.tr or 0 212 338 1281. For all things Outgoing, please contact Çiçek Dereli at cdereli@ku.edu.tr (0 212 338 1345) or Merve Demirbaş at mdemirbas@ku.edu.tr (0212 338 1294).