Research shows that studying and working abroad makes you "smarter." The impact of higher education on the economy, the diversity of college campuses and the potential political benefits of having allies in many countries has turned the choices of international students into a competitive market. In the case of Turkey, looking into the relationship between Turkish government funding and its foreign policy goals, we see an intriguing correlation. Baris Balcioglu, a professor of industrial engineering and the exchange student adviser in the manufacturing systems program at Sabanci University in Istanbul, told Al-Monitor, “One crucial factor that affects a university’s ranking is the number of international students it accepts annually. That's why the more diverse a university campus, the better the quality of education globally.”

While rankings are important for students, parents and college administrators, the financial market share of international students is also crucial. For instance, the United Kingdom, the second-most popular destination for international students, receives 10% of all international students annually. In 2011, 2.8% of the United Kingdom's gross domestic product came from higher education revenues. From that amount, it was estimated that 20% came from non-European Union students.

International students contribute to the rankings of their universities as well as to their budgets, while their living expenses also help create jobs and revenue. Ece Gunay, assistant director of international relations and administrative coordinator at Bogazici University in Istanbul, deals with short-term exchange students. Gunay told Al-Monitor, “Our students are quite high-tech and connected. Most arrive having their rental flats and phones ready. We used to deal with exclusively Western countries, but now we have more diversity, from Bangladesh to Abu Dhabi.”

Yet, no amount of reading could prepare someone for certain "culture-shock" moments when living abroad. Greta, a Swedish exchange student in Izmir, told Al-Monitor, “All is well in Izmir but the nosy neighbors. One in particular has impacted my life. Elveda Teyze, as she asked me to call her, is in her late 60s and she lives on the bottom floor. Every time I enter or exit the apartment she peeks from her balcony and asks me: “Where are you going? When will you be back? Do you have a boyfriend? How are your parents? What time is your biology exam?” Initially, I was quite annoyed by her questions, then I got used to them and indeed enjoyed chatting with her. She would bring me food, especially during my exams. During the Gezi Park protests, she gave me the phone number of her son who is a police officer, just in case I got in trouble. She has cancer and is now in the hospital. I really miss her 'being in my business.' She cared for me. It took me a while to understand this, but this is one of the most important experiences about living abroad: making connections with the locals.”