Navigating Kazakhstani graduate students’ intercultural citizenship development and future vision in Türkiye

• In Event: Navigating graduate education and opportunities

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the motivations, intercultural experiences, and aspirations of Kazakhstani postgraduate students at a Turkish-medium university in Türkiye. Guided by Byram’s (2008) model of intercultural citizenship, the research examines how students engaged with cultural differences, reflected on evolving identities and imagined their roles within local and global contexts. Data were collected through written narratives and individual semi-structured interviews with ten students, then analysed using thematic analysis. Findings reveal that students were initially motivated by financial accessibility, cultural familiarity, and academic recognition. While participants adopted certain local customs and appreciated Turkish hospitality, many encountered racial stereotyping and linguistic marginalisation that constrained deeper intercultural engagement.

Authors

• Anas Hajar

• Ahmet Aypay, Nazarbayev University

• Murat Özdemir, Anadolu University