ARRIVAL
The first 48 hours
Plan your first night’s accommodation, transport and communication before departure. Allow for delays and the university’s actual registration dates.
In this guide
Arrange these before you fly
Confirm accommodation and late check-in arrangements. Save the address, reception number and university contacts offline. Compare official transport for your arrival time, including the final connection. Temporary accommodation can give you time to inspect longer-term options.
At the airport
Keep your passport, any required visa, acceptance letter and accommodation details in hand luggage. Retain your entry record. Residence deadlines depend on lawful-stay conditions; phone registration has separate rules. Use official transport channels. Compare exchange rates, commissions and card charges rather than assuming one location always offers the best rate.
The first day
Use this checklist after resting; the order depends on your appointments and immediate needs.
- Check documents and tariffs before buying a SIM in your own name.
- Get a public transport card and load it
- Walk or ride the actual route to your campus, at the time you would travel
- Find the nearest grocery shop, pharmacy and somewhere to eat
- Photograph your passport, visa, entry stamp and acceptance letter and store the images safely
- Save 112 in your phone and note your address in Turkish somewhere you can show it
Check the first week’s deadlines
Confirm final registration with student services and ask the international office which residence procedure applies to you. Check your lawful-stay deadline and the university’s file-submission arrangements separately. Banks and housing providers can require different documents. If something is missing or a deadline is at risk, contact the responsible office promptly and retain its written instructions.
A FEW MORE ANSWERS
Frequently asked questions
Should I bring cash?
Bring enough for your first days — transport, food, a SIM card, a deposit if one is due — because a local bank account takes time to open and card acceptance varies for smaller purchases. Do not carry a large amount, and do not keep it all in one place.
What if my flight arrives late at night?
Then the pre-booked accommodation and pre-arranged transfer matter even more, and you should confirm with the accommodation that someone will be there to let you in at that hour. Ask specifically about late check-in rather than assuming reception is staffed overnight.
Plan your next step.
Bring your questions about programs, documents or settling in to a MEC Education advisor.