For several years now, Turkish universities have been welcoming students from all continents: Africa, Asia, Europe and even America. Some of these students are Catholic and are transforming the face of the local church with their faith, spirituality, songs and presence in places where there had never been a Catholic community before.

But how do they experience studying abroad? With this conference, we want to hear their voices.

The meeting will be introduced by Fr. Jean Marc Balhan, national director of university pastoral care, who will provide an overview of the presence of foreign students in Turkey. This will be followed by the testimony of Joël Fosso, a Cameroonian student of International Relations, on the joys and sorrows of student life in Istanbul. Simplice Noubarassen, a computer engineering student from Chad, will talk about the experience of student self-organisation in Karabük.

After the presentations, there will be ample time for questions and discussion, and even a small buffet.

This event is organised by DoST-I in collaboration with Caritas – Türkiye and with the support of Caritas Italiana.