Wide Economic and Business Opportunities
Turkey is a country brimming with economic potential and energy. Foreign direct investment (FDI), totaling over $21 billion in 2007, has fuelled a strong economic expansion averaging 7% over the last five years, making it the 15th largest economy in the world. Turkey remains one of the principal trade partners for European Union countries. In 2007, the trade volume between Turkey and the EU member states equaled 47 billion Euro, making Turkey the EU's 7th most important trade partner. Turkey is also an important strategic partner for Eastern European and CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries, with trade between Turkey and the CIS increasing more than 5 times since 2001 to equal $41.3 billion in 2007. During the first 11 months of 2008, the trade volume between CIS countries and Turkey increased by 43%. The trade volume between Turkey and Russia also exceeded $35 billion in the first 11 months of 2008, making Russia Turkey's largest trading partner.
A Historical, Vibrant City
In Istanbul you can explore the city once known as the capital of capital cities, having served as the axis around which the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires revolved. With an abundance of historical mosques, palaces, museums and bazaars rubbing shoulders with modern shopping malls, bars, and night clubs, there are endless streets and waterways to get lost in, spread across two continents. Istanbul is also the financial and industrial center of the country, originating 25% of the GNP and playing a significant role in regional trade and cross-border relations. Listed 34th on the list of the world's largest city economies and home to 35 of the world's billionaires, Istanbul is the city where people come to do business.
A Growing International Student Population
Students from neighboring countries are increasingly coming to Turkey for higher education opportunities. In the academic year 2007-2008, almost 17,000 university students from around the world pursued studies in Turkey, and that number has been growing. Since 2000, there has been a 28% increase in new international student enrolment. This has been even more pronounced with regard to students from the CIS countries, whose enrolment has increased 37% over the same period to equal over 6,500 students in 2007-2008.
Sources: Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkish Under-secretariat of Foreign Trade, EuroStat, Turkish Council of Higher Education, Forbes Magazine, PriceWaterhouseCoopers
Why Study Abroad at Özyeğin University?
Although it is one of Turkey's newest universities, OzU already has plans to house one of the largest business programs in the country, with support from a world-class, multinational faculty. Yet despite its grand ambitions, the university is committed to retaining its young entrepreneurial spirit by enabling both student and faculty involvement in innovation and research commercialization.
Being a student at Özyeğin allows you to be able to experience all that is Istanbul, from the ornate halls of Topkapı Palace to the hyperactive trading floor of the Istanbul Stock Exchange, from the successful, experienced CEO to the up-and-coming entrepreneur. Get in touch with the past and the future of Turkey and the region at OzU.
Studying at OzU means...
- Taking advantage of strong integration with the business world through internship opportunities, guest speakers, and site visits
- Choosing from a wide variety of electives in both concentration areas and industry sectors
- Learning in a multi-faceted, hands-on entrepreneurial environment