Abstract
Abstract This study investigates the socio‐cultural impacts of studentification in two conservative cities in Turkey – Erzurum and Konya, which serve as laboratories for understanding how university student populations interact with deeply traditional communities. Drawing on in‐depth interviews with students and long‐term residents between 2016 and 2025, we investigate how the rapid expansion of higher education in Turkey has transformed these religious and nationalist strongholds. The research uncovers distinct patterns of studentification in conservative contexts that challenge Western scholarship. While international literature primarily focuses on disruptive student behaviours generating town‐gown tensions, our study demonstrates that in conservative settings, even mild forms of cultural difference – such as mixed‐gender socialisation or non‐traditional clothing – become sources of significant social friction. Paradoxically, student enclaves emerge as liberating spaces for local residents constrained by traditional norms, particularly women who gain expanded access to public life through new cultural spaces where secularisation processes become more visible and normalised.
Keywords
Turkish
Nationalism
Clothing
Secularization
Higher education
Sociology
Gender studies
Political science
Subject Areas
Urban Planning and Governance
·Urban Studies ·Social Sciences
Socioeconomic Development in Asia
·Sociology and Political Science ·Social Sciences
Migration, Refugees, and Integration
·Sociology and Political Science ·Social Sciences
Citations by Year
2026: 2
Loading…
Loading…
Related YTU Activities
Sustainability activities and projects connected to this article.
General · 2025
Bağcılar Municipality Cooperation Protocol
General · 2025
South Africa Higher Education Cooperation Meeting
General · 2025
NAFSA 2025 San Diego
General · 2025
18 March Çanakkale Victory Commemoration Event and Traditional YTU Iftar Programme
General · 2025
“The Light of Cemal Reşid Rey and the Republic in His Memories” Recital
General · 2025
“Beauty is Youth” Festival and “Different Perspectives” Exhibition
General · 2025
“Aleppo: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow” Exhibition
General · 2025
Architecture Fringe 2025
General · 2025
Membership in the UN-Habitat Experts Forum
General · 2025
Buddy Programme - International Student Integration
General · 2025
International Antalya Architecture Biennial
General · 2025
TÖMER Meeting
General · 2025
"VAKA"
General · 2025
Erasmus+ KA2 Başarısı: Uluslararası Öğrenci Entegrasyonu ve İstihdam Politikaları Araştırması
General · 2025
8 Mart Women's Day Chess Tournament
General · 2025
İlk Baretim'25: Salur Primary School Renovation Project
General · 2025
Çamucu Village Primary School Renovation Project
General · 2025
Ahmet Emin Yalman İlkokulu’nda Okul Renklendirme Projesi
General · 2025
School Supplies Campaign for Rural Schools
General · 2025
"Equal Opportunity in Education” Mobilisation
General · 2025
19 May Celebration and Language Workshops in Sakarya
General · 2025
Türkiye Universities Chess Championship
General · 2025
Olpak Foundation Scholarship Cooperation
General · 2025
WEFA “Design with Kindness” Architectural Design Competition
General · 2025
Folk Dances Championship
General · 2025
10th National Youth Culture and Arts Competition Turkey Finals
General · 2025
5th Flute Competition Awards Ceremony and Republic Day Celebration
General · 2025
Hare Karma Photography Exhibition
General · 2025
Jean Monnet Project: Culture and Language Studies
General · 2025
Perfume Workshop
General · 2025
Yıldızlı Smiles Project
General · 2025
Scholarship for Equal Opportunity in Education
General · 2025
2025 Achievement and Equal Opportunity Scholarships
General · 2025
2025-YKS Outstanding Achievement Support Programme
Education · 2024
YTU is now an associate member of the KreativEU Alliance
Education · 2024
DICOMI PROJECT
Education · 2024
YTU Strengthens EU Ties Through Bektaş’s Participation in Two COST Action Working Groups
Education · 2024
YTU Cinema Club Hosts Acclaimed Director Pınar Fontini for “321 Kayıt!” Talk Series
Education · 2024
The 2nd Yıldız Stage Theatre Festival
Education · 2024
The Yıldız Stage Theatre Festival, Street Theatre Workshop
Education · 2024
Seminar on Acting and Dubbing
Education · 2024
Village School Renovation and Functioning Project
Education · 2024
Construction Society and Communication and Education Department, Photoshop Training Program
Education · 2024
Social Responsibility Project, Gürsü İğdir Primary School in Bursa, Renovating and İmproving The Facilities of The Village School
Education · 2024
Paws Beyond Barriers
Education · 2024
Turkish Sign Language (TSL) Training Program During the 2024 Fall Semester
Inclusion · 2024
“Building Our Future Together” Event for International Women’s Day
Inclusion · 2024
“War and Women” Talk by Lecturer Dr. Ayten Semerci at YTU
Education · 2024
YTU Revises Student Meal Prices to ₺23: Affordable and Inclusive Dining
Education · 2024
The Yıldız Novices’24 Debate Tournament
Education · 2024
Debate 101 Training: Introducing the Fundamentals of Debating
Education · 2024
Yıldız Semi-Open Debate Tournament on January 20–21, 2024
Education · 2024
"Yıldız Women Event" Organized by the YTU Development and Innovation Club
Education · 2024
"On-Campus Housing Support for PhD and Postdoctoral Researchers"
Education · 2024
"Empowering Students through Equal Access to Education and Employment: The Role of YTU’s Student Guidance and Career Center (ÖRKAM)"
Education · 2024
Mercedes-Benz Türk Professional Experience Program (PEP) – Long-Term Internship for University Students
Education · 2024
"Bridging Education and Employment: YTU Encourages Students to Join the National Internship Program"
Education · 2024
"Expanding Professional Learning: YTU’s Collaboration with Ata Holding through the A-TALENT Internship Programme"
Education · 2024
"Enhancing Employability through YTU’s Access to Yetenek Kapısı (Talent Gate)"
Education · 2024
“Don’t Postpone!” Workshop – Coping with Procrastination and Decision-Making Skills
Education · 2024
“Sleep Well” Workshop – Key Tips for Healthy Sleep and Restorative Routines
Education · 2024
Fostering Academic and Social Integration through YTU’s Peer Mentoring Program
Education · 2024
"Promoting Financial Stability and Inclusion: YTU’s Part-Time Student Employment Initiative"
Health · 2024
EMDR Group Therapy for Earthquake-Related Anxiety
Education · 2024
"Empowering Education and Promoting Equity in Education:"YTU Foundation to Support 1,000 Students with Scholarships"
Education · 2024
"YTU Promotes Student Participation in the Fulbright Scholarship Program"
Education · 2024
YTU 2024 Orientation Days
Education · 2024
YTU Welcomes New Students with a Special “Welcome to Yıldız” Gift Kit
Education · 2024
Government-Funded Graduate Scholarship Program (YLSY 2024)
Education · 2024
Student Housing Facilities
Education · 2024
Yıldız Technical University’s Student Dean’s Office