From Conflict to Classroom

Refugee High School Students’ Motivations for Emigration to Türkiye

Bibliographic Data

ID17820904
AuthorsHarun Serpil (0000-0002-6293-9385, Anadolu University), Mehmet Aksoy (0000-0002-3650-8493, Ankara Sosyal Bilimler Üniversitesi)
Year2026
Volume13
Issue3
Pages274-295
Publication date2026-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2149-1291 • E-ISSN: 2149-1291
PublisherCenter for Ethnic and Cultural Studies (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.66815/ejecs/2823
OpenAlexW7160434047
LanguageEN
References cited38

This study explored the motivations of refugee high school students from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Syria for emigrating to Türkiye, with a particular focus on the city of Eskişehir. Unlike prior research that relies on adults’ perspectives, this study amplifies the voices of the refugee youth themselves. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data was collected from 278 students via comprehensive questionnaires, and qualitative insights were obtained from in-depth interviews with 27 participants. Results indicate that civil wars, political instability, and economic hardships were primary drivers of emigration. Participants identified Türkiye’s safety, cultural familiarity, educational opportunities, and health services as key pull factors. Decisions to settle in Eskişehir were often influenced by family choices and guidance from acquaintances, while established networks in their home countries facilitated chain migration. Qualitative interviews were used to elaborate and contextualize the primary drivers of emigration (e.g., war, safety) identified through the quantitative survey, providing a more nuanced understanding. It is the first to directly center refugee high school students’ voices in Türkiye. By centering student perspectives in a non-English-speaking context, it offers novel empirical insights with important implications for research, policy, and educational practice

Emigration · Empirical research · Focus group · Immigration · Politics · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Refugee · Education and experiences of immigrants and refugees · Migration, Health and Trauma · Migration, Refugees, and Integration

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access