Chasing the European dream

12 June 2024

Beyza Pirpir

The desire to go to Europe is quite common among young people in Eskişehir. Europe’s high living standards, developed economy, quality education system, and the importance it attaches to individual freedoms are among the most important factors that attract young people to Eskişehir. The vast majority of young people view Europe in a positive light and hope to interact more with Europe in the future. This is due to the historical and cultural richness of Europe, as well as the various opportunities it offers to young people, such as work, travel, and education.

Among the shortcomings that young people experience in their country and Eskişehir are job opportunities and quality of education. Limited job opportunities and low salaries cause young people to struggle with employment opportunities and see their future as uncertain. Deficiencies in the quality of education prevent young people from receiving qualified education and limit their career opportunities.

Anadolu University Student Tuncer Karadağ:

“In my opinion, Europe is the geography that ranks first in the modern world civilization, and many people migrate for the sake of living everyone should visit and see it at least once. With its different cultures, breathtaking adventures, and history, Europe is the land that comes alive in everyone’s eyes. There are more career opportunities and doing a master’s degree abroad, both academically and in terms of work, will take you one step forward.

Many prestigious universities in Europe stand out with their long history and international recognition. These universities offer students a quality education experience with their expert academic staff and advanced research facilities. The reason for Europe is that it offers more jobs for young minds. The importance of more social rights and individual freedoms, as well as wages and purchasing power, are among the details that make Europe attractive. You can also benefit from the privileges of the member states of the European Union and visit visa-free countries.”

Tuncer is one of the many young people from Eskişehir who think that cities in Europe are better than Eskişehir, a student city and that the shortcomings in Eskişehir negatively affect their lives. So do young people from Europe feel these shortcomings in Eskişehir?

Selma Brosterhus, who lives in Berlin, shared her thoughts about Europe and Eskişehir

“I love Eskisehir and I don’t miss anything in my daily life. I feel very good, for example, I like that there are many bars and cafes. I live in Berlin now, so of course, size is one of the main differences. One of the main differences I noticed at the very beginning is that there are a lot more obstacles to moving around in the city. A very good example is the security checks when you want to enter a shopping mall, a university, or a train or bus station. In Germany, there are no such things (only if you go to an airport or very important political or judicial places).

I don’t know if people would be happier in Europe because happiness does not depend only on the economic or political situation of a country. I think the biggest difference between Turkey and Germany is the community life. In Germany, many people live very individualistic lives and it is very easy to walk around a big city without talking to anyone. This also means more freedom (socially) because people can be more open-minded about sexuality or style for example. On the other hand, it can also mean that people are more lonely. I feel that people in Turkey are more connected to each other and more welcoming to new people.

The job opportunities in Turkey are difficult but I think there are many opportunities for young people in Germany. I also think the standard of education in Germany is quite high and we are taught to think and discuss critically about society and politics. I think the university in Eskişehir focuses more on teaching practical skills whereas the universities in Germany focus more on theoretical issues.

As for the cultural shock, I think in the beginning I had a little shock from not being able to communicate, the crowded streets, and people watching me too much. But the shock was quite less and compared to other Turkish cities I can relax a lot in Eskişehir because it seems calm and easy. “

For young people in Eskişehir, Europe offers a world of high living standards, a developed economy, quality education, and individual freedoms. This makes many young people dream of migrating to Europe. European countries can offer a better future for young people. However, each country has its own cultural and social dynamics and challenges for young people. The important thing is for young people to make the right decisions in line with their values and goals, and to choose what is best for them.