TÜRKİYE'S COUNTRY IMAGE THROUGH THE EYES OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The increasing visibility of international students as actors of public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy has become an undeniable reality for today’s international policymakers. It can be said that meeting the expectations of international students and developing their positive opinions about the host country and society is an important public diplomacy goal for building a positive country image. In this regard, identifying how students' perceptions change before and after arriving in Türkiye is of particular importance. This study was conducted with the aim of understanding the thoughts, perceptions and expectations of the students studying at Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University about Türkiye and Turkish society on issues closely related to the country image in general, as well as their adaptation to the city and the country - by comparatively analysing before and after their arrival. Quantitative data collected through surveys have been interpreted through tables and some results including solutions and policy recommendations have been tried to be put forward together with the determination of the current situation and problem areas.