INFORMATION FOR ERASMUS EXCHANGE STUDENTS

  • Application Procedure

    Erasmus students wishing to pursue a study period at Afyon Kocatepe University need to apply through the International Study Department. The student must comply with the Erasmus student mobility eligibility criteria. And there should be an Erasmus Bilateral Agreement between the home university of the student and Afyon Kocatepe University. The required documents for application are:
    • Student application form
    • Learning agreement
    • Accommodation form

    Applications for entry should be made until August 1 for autumn semester and 1 December for spring semester.

    Before Arrival

    If a student has decided to pursue a study period of 3-12 months in Afyon Kocatepe University and has successfully fulfilled the application procedure, he/she will receive a Letter of Acceptance. It is sent to the student when the university has received the application form and the learning agreement has been approved.

    Assistance

    Erasmus students will receive all the necessary assistance in organizing the study process and accommodation from International Relations Office. There will be Turkish students assigned to Erasmus students who will help the students to feel at home in Afyonkarahisar and Turkey. All Erasmus students are also encouraged to participate in an orientation course on Turkish culture.

    Language of Instruction

    The main language of instruction at Afyon Kocatepe University is Turkish. However, international programmes in English are offered in certain faculties. Please contact International Relations Office for more information on the courses offered for a particular academic year or semester.

    EILC (Erasmus Intensive Language Courses)

    Erasmus students are encouraged to learn Turkish in order to gain better appreciation of the local culture and to enjoy a friendly communication with Turks. EILC are available for Erasmus students in certain cities before the beginning of the study year.

    After Studies

    After a student has successfully finished the agreed programme of study, the study information and assessment are presented at the International Relations Office which will issue a certificate confirming that the agreed programme of study has been successfully completed.

    PRACTICAL INFORMATION

    Visas and Immigration Documents

    A valid passport is requested to enter Turkey. Passports' term of validity should be at least 6 months longer than your planned duration of stay in Turkey. Everyone has to have a visa to enter Turkey even if he or she is a citizen of the European Union (EU), or the European Economic Area (EEA). Regardless of whether the duration of the stay is short or long, students have to apply for a residence permit.

    Documents needed to receive a residence permit to study in Turkey:
    • A passport
    • A copy of visa taken from Turkish Consulate
    • Six photos (Suitable for a document)
    • An official writing (Shows the study period in related school and will be given by the International Relations Office by the time the student reach to university)
    • A petition (will be written in police department while submitting the documents)
    • Registering payment ( 145 lira=approximately 65 Euro in 2011)

    Arrival

    You can come to Turkey, by aircraft, ferry, international trains and buses. The most usual way is arriving by plain to the International Airport "Esenboğa or Atatürk'' Please inform the International Relations Office at least 5 days before your arrival. You will be met on arrival to Afyonkarahisar and guided to the student's hostel or other kind of place of residence.

    Accommodation

    Students registered at AKU have easy access to dormitories and hostels for accommodation. A youth hostel with a capacity of 1,960 students owned and managed by the General Directorate of Higher Education Credit and Hostels Association and it is located adjacent to the main campus. Most of the Turkish students stay in this dormitory with a price of approximately 100 Euro. There are also private dormitories near campus and in the city centre with prices of approximately 200-350 Euros per month depending on location and quality.

    A common alternative for students' hostel is a private flat, often shared 2-3-4 students. Renting a flat costs 200-300 €. (3-4-5 students can stay together. 50-60 € per person).

    Cost of Living

    Expenses depend very much on your personal spending habits and expenses for travelling and social life. But generally 300-350 € can be considered as enough for a student who wishes to study in Afyonkarahisar.

    Food

    Food at the university cafeterias predominantly is in European style. But there are a couple of ethnic dining places in the city. Big choice of traditional products is available in supermarkets for those who wish to cook their traditional dishes. But it is highly recommended to try the Turkish food for culinary delight.

    Transport: How to reach Afyonkarahisar?

    Transportation by car:

    Afyonkarahisar is 455 km from Istanbul (takes approximately 5 hours); 260 km from Ankara (3 hours); 330 km from İzmir (4 hours); 290 km from Antalya (3.15 hours).

    Transportation by train:

    If your plane lands in İstanbul, you can go to Haydarpaşa Train Station. You need to get on the train called "İç-Mavi 11126" which generally departs at 23:50. Another train you can get on is called Meram Eks. 11320, which usually departs at 19:40. The timings can change according to the date so it is better to look at the website of the train station: http://www.haydarpasagar.com/ It costs about 15-20 € and takes about 8 hours.

    Transportation by bus:

    From Istanbul Atatürk Airport to Afyonkarahisar: After your plane lands in Atatürk Airport, follow the signs to subway and go to the main bus station (In Turkish it is written as Otogar). At the bus station, you can get on a bus to Afyonkarahisar after you buy tickets from ANADOLU, KAMİL KOÇ, NİLÜFER, PAMUKKALE, bus companies. It takes 7 hours and costs about 40 Turkish lira which is approximately 20€.

    From İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Afyonkarahisar: After your plane lands to the airport, get on public bus (204-express otobüsü) to the main bus station. Or you can wait for airport shuttle (HAVAŞ) to go to the Bus Station. At the bus station, you can find ANADOLU, KAMİL KOÇ, NİLÜFER, PAMUKKALE bus companies to come Afyonkarahisar. It takes 5 hours and costs about 25 Turkish lira which is approximately 12.5€.

    From Ankara Esenboğa Airport to Afyonkarahisar: After your plane lands, get on airport shuttle called as HAVAŞ or public bus to go the Bus Station (AŞTİ). At the bus station, find the ANADOLU, KAMİL KOÇ, NİLÜFER, PAMUKKALE bus companies to come Afyon. It takes 3.15 hours and costs about 20 Turkish lira which is approximately 10€.

    (it will be better for you if you make a reservation for bus seat before you come) For more detailed information, please do not hesitate to contact with us. uib@aku.edu.tr

    Buses can be used to get around in Afyonkarahisar, to reach University, hostel or hospitals. Students can obtain a student's transport card which makes travelling by public transport cheaper.

    Telephone

    International Turkish telephone code is +90.
    Emergency phone numbers:
    110 Fireman Service
    112 Ambulance
    155 Police
    170 Tourist information service
    187 Gas accident service
    (When you are inside the Turkish Republic borders, you can directly call these numbers without adding any extra code and the call is free of charge.)

    For detailed information please feel free to contact IRO.

    Afyon Kocatepe University International Relations Office (Contact Infromation)
    Tel: + 90 (272) 444 03 03 /1413 (Ext.) + 90 (272) 228 13 03
    Fax: +90 (272) 228 13 51
    E-mail: uib@aku.edu.tr uim@aku.edu.tr
    Website: www.aku.edu.tr (Then please click International Relations Office)
    Address: International Relations Office Afyon Kocatepe University Gazlıgol Yolu ANS Campus 03200 Afyonkarahisar TURKIYE
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