A candid guide for Nigerian students heading to Turkey 🇳🇬✈️🇹🇷
By Saheed Kolawole
From Lagos to Istanbul: My Nigerian Student Journey in Turkey
Coming to Turkey as a Nigerian student was a whirlwind of excitement, curiosity, and a little bit of blind faith. I packed my bags with more jollof seasoning than jackets, thinking, “Abeg, how cold can it really be?” Fast-forward to my first winter in Istanbul, and I was questioning all my life decisions.
There’s so much I wish I had known before boarding that plane—not just about the weather, but about the culture, language, and how to survive daily life as a foreign student in a place that’s warm-hearted but totally different from Nigeria.
1️⃣ Language is Not Just a Barrier – It’s a Whole Wall 😅
Let’s be real: Google Translate will become your best friend. English isn’t widely spoken here, especially outside the universities.
💬 Learn a few basic Turkish phrases like:
- “Merhaba” (Hello)
- “Teşekkür ederim” (Thank you)
These small efforts go a long way.
I struggled initially—especially with grocery shopping or hailing taxis—but eventually picked up enough Turkish to survive. Still learning sha.
2️⃣ Cold is Not an Emotion – It’s a Weapon
Winter in Turkey is not harmattan o—it’s the type of cold that makes you rethink life.
🧥 Advice:
- Don’t wait till you arrive.
- Pack at least one or two good jackets from Nigeria.
- Or budget well to get winter wear once you land.
3️⃣ The Food Will Humble You
I thought “rice is rice” until I met Turkish rice. Let’s just say, Nigerian rice and Turkish rice don’t know each other.
The first time I had menemen (a tomato-egg dish), I thought someone spoiled my scrambled eggs. But with time, I grew to love:
- Doner kebab
- Pide
- Çay (Turkish tea)
🍲 Pro tip: Look out for Nigerian food shops and community pages. Pepper soup must happen one way or another!
4️⃣ The People Are Warm, But the System Is… Different
Turks are generally kind and welcoming, especially to students. But doing basic things like:
- Applying for a residence permit
- Registering at your university
- Opening a bank account
…can be confusing at first.
💡 Join your local NANS Turkey WhatsApp group. Don’t be shy to ask questions—we’re all figuring this out together.
5️⃣ Culture Shock Is Real – But It Fades
I won’t lie. In the beginning, I missed everything:
- My family and friends
- Suya by the roadside
- Loud conductors yelling “Oja-Oba, Oja-Oba!”
But over time, Turkey began to feel like a second home. It’s a different world, yes—but a beautiful one.
Final Thoughts
If you’re already in Turkey—welcome to the ride. If you’re still planning—this is your sign to prepare smartly.
And most importantly, remember:
NANS Turkey Chapter is here for you.
To guide you, laugh with you, and help you make the most of your student life here.
📩 Have a funny or surprising moment since arriving in Turkey?
Share it in the comments—or at our next event!
