Foreign students in Northern Cyprus: False promises and disillusion • FRANCE 24 English

In Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus, education has become the leading economic sector. No less than 23 universities are concentrated in the small self-declared state recognised only by Turkey, which has occupied it since 1974. They attract students from developing countries by offering affordable courses with a "European" stamp of approval. But some of these students are soon disappointed. After falling victim to false promises made by their recruiters, they can end up in desperate situations. FRANCE 24's Corentin Bainier, Erika Olavarria and Derek Thomson report.
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[@Morkorio]

As someone who did his master's in Northern Cyprus in EMU, I can tell you this report is completely accurate. The racism is beyond imagination. They treat students as slaves.

[@Amon1ra]

I stayed in northern cyprus 2 weeks for university, and i immediately left, 0 regrets, definitely avoid this place at all costs, it's a scam, and not safe especially for african students.

[@TurkicAtheist805]

We dont want either

[@dezorobusiness6323]

Hello guys, am i also a victim. I gain admission in a university in north Cyprus for a 4 years course last march. I left Cameroon hoping am going to Cyprus to study upon arriving at the Cyprus emigration about 15 to 20 international students were held and deported back to their home country without even giving or telling the students reasons for not allowing them to enter the country. I had all my documents ready with a sum of 500$ cash on me as stated. The way Africans are been treated around the globe is awful, i spent all my savings so i could go and study abroad instead they treated us like prisoners.😢

[@olbiomoiros]

Shouldn’t have gone to an illegal country huh

[@Abod66776i]

I studied in North Cyprus and I have faced so many racists so I don't advice anyone to study in North Cyprus.

[@rotpeter9148]

They are not racist, they just do not like prostitutes or drug dealers....

[@LeMuzi]

They forgot to mention that you pay rent in British Pounds ,Euros or dollars. as an African student you do not pay rent in the local currency Turkish Lira.

[@briodiz4772]

wow

[@onurrsentrk]

it applies everyone, not just African students

[@chiphokwelo]

@@onurrsentrkrarely.

[@David12138]

In fact, I have met many Africans. They are lazy and like to complain everywhere. Even if they go to a developed country, they will complain. In short, people who complain will complain wherever they go.

[@jolamanding889]

​@@onurrsentrkby everyone you mean all the international students (African, Asians etc)?if that's the case then yes I can confirm.

[@pentogram23]

Why not go south ?????

[@olbiomoiros]

You mean the Republic of Cyprus?

[@Easy-my9gk]

Maybe they should have gone to a recognised country

[@epirushawk5575]

very true

[@MAXHTEC94XQCL]

FREEDOM TO CYPRUS 🇨🇾

[@rogerijani-presi587]

Northern Cyprus is very small. You can’t hide the face of any agent. I know this anonymous agent in person. Just from his morphology.

[@aitchtea]

thank you for investigating & reporting on these allegations. i will look into this matter.

[@arinc9]

Are you writing a paper on this?

[@BigBaibars]

What happened on the book bro

[@panostheodoulou1166]

The division of Cyprus is not due to a ''civil war'' my friend, it's due to Turkey's INVASION and OCCUPATION of the northern area of the Republic of Cyprus

[@vincenzostr4488]

They stole houses from greek cypriots

[@panostheodoulou1166]

@@vincenzostr4488 That is correct

[@hamzaklc3358]

@@vincenzostr4488 Oh! very nice.

[@nickwarriordiaz]

no no it was not an invasion. greek tried to genocide and erase the turks who were living in the for 500 years just like they did in balkans. so turkish republic intervened and save us. thank you turkey.

[@TheTolgagns]

Can you tell me why Turkey made intervention to the Island?

[@anthonymanderson7671]

I wouldn't want to go study in TRNC.

[@Manaralbarizi]

By the way there are lots of arabic countries do not recognize the universities of northern cyprus like Egypt, Syria, Iraq... and recently Jordon has stopped to recognize the universities of northern cyprus

[@tenerremzi9202]

Rubbish

[@jolamanding889]

I am a final year student of European University of Lefke. if anything; i can confirm all this documentary has said but again it left alot of horrible things that majority of the international students are suffering here. Back in 2021 i recorded a video exposing this exact narration from the documentary and shared it as much as I could, today i can happily say it saved alot of people. Northern Cyprus is expensive very expensive,if you don't have a good financial background dont take a step coming here. And also i only know of four universities that are accredited the rest are all scams. Be vigilant!!

[@riro963]

Where did you share it? Is CIU one of the univeristies that are accredited?

[@user-lu5kt6ys5t]

​@@riro963don't worry it is accredited, you got WhatsApp or something, I'm a student there

[@marionehale3877]

Which one is recognized?

[@oyunoynayanbiri]

the accredited universities are mostly in order of best to worst: EMU (best) ODTÜ CYPRUS NEAR EAST UNI GIRNE AMERICAN UNI & CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL UNI the top are pretty good education and recognition wise and the bottom i wouldn't recommend but you can still find international jobs but harder. though some have other advantages like GAU has universities in many countries including england that you can transfer to.

[@MENSA.lady2]

Accredited by who? The Turkish Government. Doesn't matter all their certificates are worthless.

[@einsaan]

Being a graduate from EMU back in 1995, I can say without hesitation that EMU atleast at that point in time was one of the best universities for engineering studies. It was very tough but the quality of staff and knowledge imparted was better than many universities in USA and Euorpe. I can say this because friends of mine who couldn't cope with engineering courses in EMU transfered to very good US universities and found the exams and curriculum there much much easier.

[@Goatssi_24]

I’m a student in BAU and everything here is true. Most things even left out especially the police brutality, fraud m, corruption and so on. I’m almost done with my studies and I’d be leaving. Please do not come here

[@az_writes6797]

Why?

[@fionamacinnes]

They are not in Europe. It's Freud. Northerncyprus are not recognized. Don't waist you're money . Southern cyprs is and you pay in euros and is in Europe and recognized. Teachers in northerncyprus may well not be teachers as the education is not recognized. He acutely lied on Camara 😂😂😂 it's not in Europe and just goes to show what the education is like if he thinks he's in Europe 😂 lovely place but very corrupt! Make sure it's southern you come to cyprus people .

[@dezorobusiness6323]

I wasn't allowed to enter into cyprus last match as an international student. Later on the same university has readmitted me asking me to come for my studies right now am really confused and scared based on my past experience which made me to loose alot of money please someone guide me through this am begging 😢.

[@dailylearning1706]

don't just jump into a plane or the euphoria of travelling abroad. Please, read, read and read about the country you are going. Northern Cyprus is only recognised by Turkey, which limits the opportunities in the country as their economy will be somehow dependent on Turkey's economy. Be careful while making a decision like this. You can check other European countries if you want to study abroad.

[@prissy7076]

You still dey ask? 😢

[@Trebor1172]

Just make sure the university is accredited and avoid the American University at Girne.

[@MENSA.lady2]

Stay at home an save a lot of money. It's impossible to gain a usable qualification in North Cyprus. You will be ripped off. Black African students are singled out for abuse. Study where you are and whatever you can achieve will be recognized across the world.,

[@thatwasantique6708]

Did u go?

[@mysterywalker1621]

I have been to the north(and the rest of cyprus) side and it was a dump, a real sorry place.

[@blaizeakpakwu6147]

You are very correct. If you have gone there with hope of making a living as a student, your dream will dye. I am a victim and I stay here for 6.5 years.

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

A7stin school for the deaf might be interested and is especially for them since the closed captions are off they will never know what it says unless closed captions are on from the get go.

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

Seems like 8 may have been targeted by prepaid reservations at the cleanest resort in Las Vegas

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

My mother taught me to be polite like the nice gentlemen in the video

[@epirushawk5575]

Free Cyprus 🇨🇾

[@2msvalkyrie529]

It's heartbreaking to see young people have their dreams broken like this ! 🙏

[@beyourself2444]

You must not be living in the real world because it is worse in their own countries.

[@kennielsen8554]

What can anybody learn from them, they can't even make concrete and the buildings fall down also the carpets are fake

[@phoenixobrien163]

How awful to dupe students with false promises. How low can people get.

[@user-ig5sv4wp9b]

There is much ugliness in this world. 😏😒🤦🏻🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏿‍♀️🤷🏽‍♂️🫢🤢

[@kaushitwakafidi]

$$$ there is your answer

[@MENSA.lady2]

It's called a SCAM

[@olbiomoiros]

They’re Turks. Having no morals is in their blood

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

Bill might be interested. Or should say not if the sound is off.

[@olbiomoiros]

FREE CYPRUS 🇨🇾

[@Salsaman34]

Cyprus is European but Northern Cyprus not! Is that an objective documentary! Shame! How African students do live in Paris!?

[@papa1393]

All Fraud scam

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

I know of no business called money tree and have never traveled to cyprus

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

My family is trying to prevent me from going to the church of my choice

[@theo_konstantinou]

Free to Cyprus 🇨🇾

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

I try to prepay for all my reservations before I travel

[@tenerremzi9202]

Cyprus can't afford to give these people free tuition unfortunately what did these guys expect its hard for anyone coming from another country to adjust and even me recognised its the same all over the world trnc offers a cheaper option for people with less wealth the education they get is first-class however.

[@MENSA.lady2]

Error. A qualification may be recognised in Turkey, but the claim that it will be recognised elsewhere is sim,ply WRONG.

[@azmathabib6120]

sorry you are wrong.qualification from northern cyprus is recognized all over the world.

[@MENSA.lady2]

Wrong. They are almost worthless, probably recognized in Turkey, nowhere else

[@MENSA.lady2]

@@azmathabib6120 If the college told you that then they are lying. It's part of the rip-off.

[@israelarowolo464]

School fee's are paid in dollars/Europe House rent paid in dollars But farm job or cleaning job/ construction available for foreigners pays in tl

[@user-mm2yy4ve2n]

No , NOT at all. The story is totally different. Turkey, Invaded the island, and since 1974, for 50 years now ,is half almost occupies the island. Kicked out the local population, been replaced them till on our days ,mainly by Turks,settlers from its mainland Ignoring of all of the UN resolutions about peace and justice for the island, is even trying today to turn of those occupied areas of the island, in to a separate recognise Turkish state. The north occupied areas, ard still our stolen lands and properties PLEASE we expect from you people to RESPECT that

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

Never give up

[@mixalisefthymiou3983]

All Universities in the occupied side of Cyprus (Northern Cyprus) are not recognized in most European countries.

[@snaf7249]

What about those universities that have main campus in mainland Turkey but also another campus in North cyprus?

[@GreenOliveBranch]

@@snaf7249 it’s hard to get into those ones if you are not Turkish National and unlike other universities they are not money trap.., as far as I know they are accredited same as the main campus.

[@David12138]

In fact, I have met many Africans. They are lazy and like to complain everywhere. Even if they go to a developed country, they will complain. In short, people who complain will complain wherever they go.

[@mixalisefthymiou3983]

@@snaf7249 these universities are a gray area of the education system... Some firms accept while others discard

[@user-bt3ss6mg4s]

you are 100 percent wrong. PLEASE DONT WRIGHT FROM YOUR FAT.

[@murrayeldred3563]

Dodgy.

[@georgiospalavidis7382]

Please correct the title…. It’s not Nothern Cyprus…It’s OCCUPIED Cyprus

[@stevebloomerswatching9933]

Nai goumbare ENA KYPROS ELEFTHERI KYPROS 🇨🇾

[@mccarolinebarkeh4457]

It’s called NORTHERN Cyprus

[@suhailshafi]

I would not consider an education in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to be problematic if the majority of the students who graduate from there end up getting good jobs and moving up the socio-economic ladder.

[@QUVDRI]

Wish they saw me, I'll tell them everything about TRNC

[@balsammohammed9140]

What's that??

[@choosen1130]

Me too

[@amr220022]

i am really for sorry forthis poor guy who was forced to drop his study and ended up with an accident in the construction work

[@emmadeey7]

It was hell for me

[@reychak]

​@@emmadeey7was this you featured in the video?

[@nothingmore8090]

You go to study in an occupied area? Are you even serious ?

[@mccarolinebarkeh4457]

They don’t tell u the true story.

[@nothingmore8090]

That's Turkey....a lot of scams. Very bad for the students thou😢

[@Trebor1172]

Notice they don't mention the American University at Girne - More like a community college! Ha! Ha!

[@user-fg4xq7le7r]

why

[@angelinemuriuki7384]

It's so sad to see African students suffer this much after their countries are mismanaged by the political leaders.

[@David12138]

In fact, I have met many Africans. They are lazy and like to complain everywhere. Even if they go to a developed country, they will complain. In short, people who complain will complain wherever they go.

[@dailylearning1706]

As a result of being unable to read. Some students are more exposed than the so-called agents, yet, they will get into the plane without simple research on where they are going.

[@MeMoeMustafaAlnour]

Wow, I found this video While researching for myself and maybe I will focus on other countries before I decide, I was already researching options. Never trust agents, Never.

[@patris-thriskia-oikogenia]

A great thank to France 24. Unfortunately things are much worst day by day. After Turkeys occupation in Cyprus , when they killed raped and holding missing persons away from theirs family God will never give them the chance to be happy for what they have done to Greeks

[@MbekamGustave]

Is Tough out here, I can't Afford school. I dropped out after my first semester.

[@LeMuzi]

same here, although i was in my 3rd year. sad i cannot continue.

[@Truthseeker371]

In Myanmar where the internal conflict lingers over 75 years, the universities have been closed on and off. The studious young people there utilise internet to learn everything. Thanks to the accessible cost of smartphone.

[@mccarolinebarkeh4457]

I had 25% scholarship. Was paying 1080€ per semester. I

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

Is anyone safe in VEGAS?

[@user-fg4xq7le7r]

not even american

[@muhammadasad2768]

Final international university

[@menettekaluhoni2885]

How is it there?

[@azmathabib6120]

qualification from northern cyprus is recognized all over the world. and it is affordable too.

[@sanam8952]

3rd world countries? I think your country could be 4th world.

[@choosen1130]

5th world even

[@sa.377]

Northern Cyprus was invaded by the Turks and is illegally occupied by them ever since the 70s. This is not a true state, it is a Turkish puppet trying to pursue Turkish financial interests in the area. So before going to study in an illegally occupied territory you should do your research first...

[@spyantreas]

this is the illegally occupied part of Cyprus and there was no civil war but an invasion!!!! why do you promote turkish propaganda?? is the war in Ukraine a civil war also??

[@Adnancorner]

yea banning language of minority yea it is.

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

But, I prepaid 450 for a 1 night stay

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

Not after

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

To be read from top up

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

Some don't seem to let LADIES GO FIRST

[@privatedeletebuttongooglei5221]

Now but I dont

[@Yusuf3hassan]

You talk too much my friend

[@fumblinF0e]

Engineer, Computer Engineer, Computer Programmer, Computer Graphical Interface creator, Python Scripting.

[@aped]

Africans smh

[@hamzaklc3358]

Scratch video filty South Cyprus. Graduates every country work.Usa Europe Turkey.Africa...

[@g.o.9072]

Wr turks will also take.the south. Wait. North will stay turkish forever. Greeks lost also agia sophia forever

[@liitleman5020]

My beautiful country. Go study on the Greek side they won't even let you in

[@yiannispanayi2527]

Northern part of Cyprus is not a country, but an area under illegal occupation from turkish troops since 1974. Educate yourself.

[@turkmuhru1990]

@@yiannispanayi2527 you cry baby greece thie country north Cyprus Turkish republic

[@hamzaklc3358]

Wonderful South Cyprus. WE ❤🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷

[@potffin]

@@yiannispanayi2527 Define illegal. And which laws.... were there any international governments that I didn't heard of?

[@muhammadasad2768]

North Cyprus ❤️🇵🇰

[@kemalsurmeli7722]

Freedom for north cyprus it is almost 50 years now the turks of cyprus have the right for self determination greeks cant accept equal rights for turks this is why cyprus Must be 2 states

[@stelios-1821]

What do you need a state for ? It's full of Africans there, sooner or later they will start eating people and they will eat you too.

[@GreenOliveBranch]

The question is who will save Turkish Cypriots from Turkey. Every time I go there I see less Cypriots…

[@kemalsurmeli7722]

@@GreenOliveBranch there is no thing as cypriots Any more the northern Part of cyprus is now Part of turkey it is turkish Land you greeks will Never get it back

[@yiannispanayi2527]

"Freedom for north cyprus"? Do you already forget who invaded who? Based on your knowledge on mathematics, the minority of OFFICIAL turkish cypriots equals to the majority of the OFFICIAL greek cypriots, to claim "equal rights"?

[@kemalsurmeli7722]

@@yiannispanayi2527 yes because one Turk =5 greeks

[@sanagirlqueen]

Living in a 3 rd world nation is so unfortunate