Careers Beyond Borders: The Causes And Effects Of Brain Drain

Graduate of Ulusoy Maritime Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School Shares Experiences on Studying Abroad"

As part of the "Beyond Borders: People" Erasmus+ project, in which Ulusoy Maritime Technology Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School is a partner, we conducted an interview with one of our graduates on brain drain and young people's tendencies to study and pursue careers abroad.

Our graduate, who recently moved to Germany and is a young architect, shared their experiences and thoughts on the process of going abroad. After successfully completing an architecture degree at a prestigious university in Turkey, they gained valuable experience working as a site manager in industrial building construction for three years at major companies.

Decision to Study Abroad

When asked when and how they made the decision to go abroad, our graduate stated that this choice was made in line with their career goals and future expectations. They emphasized that the main motivation was the opportunity to receive a higher-quality education and gain international experience.

They also explained that being accepted into an educational institution abroad required going through certain stages, such as exams and interviews.

Which Country and Why?

Our graduate explained that they chose their destination country because of its strong education system and career opportunities. They mentioned that they wanted to specialize in a particular field and believed that studying abroad would provide better job opportunities.

Brain Drain is Increasing in Turkey

According to Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) data, the brain drain rate among higher education graduates rose from 1.6% in 2015 to 2.0% in 2023. In 2023, the brain drain rate was 1.6% for women and 2.4% for men.

Our graduate pointed out that the main reasons young people are drawn abroad include economic difficulties, limited career opportunities, and concerns about professional development.

Challenges and the Adaptation Process

Both participants noted that moving to a new country comes with various challenges. They mentioned that adapting to a different culture, language barriers, and being away from family were among the biggest difficulties they faced. However, they also stated that they did not have major concerns about adapting to the cultural differences in their chosen countries, as they found the people there to be warm and friendly, just like us.

Future Plans

When asked whether they planned to return to Turkey after completing their education, our graduate expressed a positive outlook on permanently living abroad. They said that better career opportunities, higher living standards, and job satisfaction played a significant role in this decision.

However, they did not completely rule out the possibility of bringing their knowledge and experience back to Turkey in the future.

Reactions from Family and Social Circle

Our graduate stated that their family and friends reacted positively to their decision to move abroad. Their family was happy with their choice and fully supported them.

They also mentioned that many of their friends were considering opportunities to study or work abroad, highlighting that this trend is becoming increasingly common among young people.

Making Turkey More Attractive for Young People

Finally, when asked what could be done to make Turkey a more attractive country for young people, the participants suggested improving job opportunities, increasing salaries, and enhancing the quality of education.

This interview helped us understand young people's motivations for studying abroad, the challenges they face, and their future plans. The increase in brain drain is a critical issue that must be carefully addressed, and developing solution-oriented policies to address its causes is of great importance.