STAFF MOBILITY

If you are interested in an Erasmus+ Teaching Mobility at the Erciyes University then the following information should help you in applying for an exchange with us.

Prospective academic visitors should contact International Office and inform them about your travel plans at least 2 months prior to the visit.

• For such a visit to take place there must be a valid Erasmus agreement for Teaching Staff Mobility (TSM) between Erciyes University and the home institution of the teaching staff (TS).
• The departments/faculties/Institutes /schools will consider how the visit fits with their plan of work and academic timetables and curriculum.
• The next step is to get in touch with the Department Coordinator that TS wishes to visit at Erciyes University.
•  Please Click for The Erasmus+ Teaching Mobility Agreement. TS and the Department Coordinator must jointly fill out  and sign the document. In order to receive a signed copy of your Mobility agreement, please get in touch directly with the related department via e-mail.
• An official letter of invitation must be prepared by the related Departments/Faculties/Institute/School that would like to host you.
• Please email copy of your “Teaching Mobility Agreement” and  send it to erasmus@erciyes.edu.tr or once you arrive, your first stop should be the Erasmus Office for a short meeting.
• At the end of your mobility period, you will receive your Confirmation Letter from your host departments/faculties/Institutes /schools.
• Please note that Staff Mobility visitors are hosted by the Department Exchange Coordinators. The main contact for the visitors are the Coordinators and departments in charge of preparing the program activities and expected to help the visitor for setting up appointments, lodging arrangements, lunch/dinner arrangements, etc. ( if needed)

Erasmus+ Staff Training Mobility

If you are interested in Training Mobility at Erciyes University then the following information should help you in applying for an exchange with us. Prospective administrative visitors are recommended to contact Erasmus Office (erasmus.erciyes.edu.tr) and inform them about your travel plans at least 2 months prior to the visit. Erasmus Office refer you to related departments/centers.        

• Please plan your visit with related departments that best suits the purpose of your visit. Please see the list of the administrative departments/centers

• For Training program (ST), there is no need for an Erasmus+ agreement between ERU and your home institution; however, the home university must have an Erasmus University Charter. 
• The Departments/Centers will consider how the visit fits with their plan of work schedule
• Letter of invitation will be issued by the related department that would like to host you.
• In order to receive a signed copy of your Training Mobility agreement, please get in touch with the related department via e-mail. 
• Please email copy of your “Training Mobility Agreement” and send it to erasmus@erciyes.edu.tr or once you arrive, your first stop should be the Erasmus Office for a short meeting.
• At the end of your mobility period, you will receive your Confirmation Letter by the related department.

BEFORE MOBILITY

Applying for a visa

If your country is not exempted from visa by the Republic of Turkey, you are required to have a visa to enter Turkey. To learn about the visa regime applied by Turkey to your country, please check the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs‎.

To apply for a student visa, you are required to visit the nearest Turkish Embassy or Consulate in your country with the following documents:

✔       Invitation Letter from Erciyes University

✔       A completed visa application form

✔       The Visa fees

✔       Passport and passport sized pictures

(Please check here if there are any more requirements from the responsible consulate)

We advise you to apply at least two months before the semester begins, so that you don’t face any delay and be ready for the semester.

Accommodation

There are several accommodation options available for international staff: staying in a private dormitory close to campus or sharing an apartment with Turkish staff. For those staff that choose private accommodation near campus, It is just a short bus ride or within walking distance.

There is a place which belongs to the university (Kızılay Guest House), it may be more easy to stay for you. Please click for the accomodation place. Please contact International Office for details.

There are many accommodation options available in Kayseri. You can choose between private dormitories or rented flats. You can find more information on private dormitories here. Additionally, there are many websites where you can search for rented flats such as Emlakjet and Sahibinden. You can also choose to share the flat with other staff. Rental conditions vary from owner to owner and, as such, make sure to ask all the pertinent questions (contract duration, internet access, amenities, and services included). Please be careful not to pay anything before seeing the flat.

If you need help in finding accommodation, the International Office representatives are happy to assist you.

DURING MOBILITY

You have made it here, that is what matters. Do not worry, the rest is easy!

Confirmation of Arrival

Some Home Universities require the confirmation of arrival. The document is provided by your home institution. It will be signed at the beginning of your studies at the Erciyes University. If you are not sure whether your institution requires such a document, please contact the IRO/Erasmus Office at your home University.

Buying a sim card

You can choose between the available operators in Turkey such as Turkcell, Türk Telekom, or Vodafone. The companies have different advantages, you can check the campaigns and prices and decide which operator you would like. You should get your mobile phone and passport with you when you get to the store. You can purchase a sim card with your passport but remember that the sim will get blocked within 90 days if you do not register your residence permit with it. To register your residence permit, you can go to any shop of your operator, and ask them to associate your residence permit number with your sim card.

Transportation card

Transportation in Kayseri is quite active and easy. The transportation within the city relies mainly on buses, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system called Kayseray, taxis and personal vehicles.

You can purchase a transportation card, which is valid for busses and railway, at any KART38 cabin or office which are available in the whole city. The card costs approximately 10 TL and you can recharge it through the Kart38 Machines. You just need to put your card on the scanner on the left and put your money into the slot. One fare with a normal card is 7,00 TL, but for staff, the price is 3.25 TL. You can make one free transfer during your journey within 80 minutes. You can apply to the Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality PASO and Card Unit to benefit from discounted services within the city.

Documents required for application:

●        Residence document for foreign staff

●        Copy of the passport

●        1 Passport photo (taken within last 6 months)

(https://www.kayseri.bel.tr/pasolar-ve-kartlar)

On the Official Website of Kayseri Ulaşım, you can find detailed information about the transportation in Kayseri such as bus services and timings, bicycle renting, buying transportation card and recharging points, etc.

AFTER MOBILITY

Before your departure, please contact International Office to get a certificate that shows your arrival and departure dates. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

National and Religious Holidays

There are two types of public holidays in Turkey: the religious holidays which change according to the lunar calendar and fall on different dates each year; and those which are decided by the government and fall on the same day each year. Please remember that, on public holidays, banks and government offices are closed.

National Holidays:

1 January - New Year’s Day

23 April - National Sovereignty and Children’s Day

1 May – Labour Day

19 May - Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports Day

15 July - Democracy and National Unity Day

30 August - Victory Day

29 October - Republic Day

Religious holidays:

Eid-ul-Fitr: Three days religious holiday.

Eid al-Adha: Four days religious holiday.

Cost of Life in Kayseri

The average cost of living in Kayseri varies from the way the staff spend. To have an idea of the cost of life in Kayseri, please see the below table.  

Transport card	7.00 TL
Private Housing	2000-5000 TL (depending on the choice)
Dormitories	2000 TL
Bread	Starting from 3.5 TL
Simit	5 TL
Staff menu at ERU	11 TL
Tea	5 TL
Bottle of water	3 TL
Coffee	20 TL
Chicken	50 TL
Meat	150 TL
Fish	70 TL
McDonald's Menu	60 TL

Discover Turkey

Turkey is a country of in depth history and culture, the Turkish Republic is located where the three continents of the old world, Asia, Africa and Europe, are closest to each other and straddle the point where Europe and Asia meet. Because of this geographical location, the mainland Anatolia has witnessed the mass migration of diverse peoples, shaping the course of history. Home to countless civilizations, Anatolia has developed a unique synthesis of cultures, each with its own distinct identity, yet each linked to its predecessors through insoluble threads. As a modern nation in an ancient land, Turkey today is the inheritor and conservator of such an essential, shared heritage of humanity.

Nation Wide Free Emergency Numbers

110- Fire Department

112- Medical Emergency (Ambulance)

154- Traffic

155- Police

157- Foreigners Communication Centre

Discover Kayseri

Kayseri, located in Central Anatolia, has a great historical background dating back to 3000 BC. Kültepe, one of the first cities in Anatolia and a critical route of Assyrian trade colonies, was established by Hattis, the local people of Anatolia before Hittites. Assyrians had founded commercial posts called “karum” by 2000 BC. One of the most important karums was the Kaneš in Kültepe. The cuneiform clay tablets found in Kültepe really reveal about the history of trade in Kayseri. The city was under Roman rule in 17 AD. This period was known as "Caesarea in Cappadocia" named in honour of Caesar Augustus . When the Arabs arrived the city, they called the city as “Kaisariyah” as a result of adapting the pronunciation to their writing. However, during the Seljuk rule, it eventually became “Kayseri”. During the strong reign of the Seljuks, the trade routes were revived and developed.

The first Turkish-Islamic campus in Anatolia was the Hunat Hatun Complex which was constructed in honour of Hunat Hatun in 1276 and includes a mosque, madrasa, baths and a soup kitchen. In the period of the Anatolian Seljuks, a large number of historical works of art such as mosques, madrasas and in particular the monumental tomb, called the “Turning Vault”, were constructed and have survived to the present day. The historical Covered- Bazaar, which is the third largest in our country, still serves as a shopping centre in Kayseri. Kayseri Castle, the Turning Vault, and the ancient volcano Mount Erciyes are the main historical and natural symbols of Kayseri.

The first aircraft and textile industries in our country began in Kayseri. Kayseri is also famous for its hand-woven silk and wool carpets, soudjouk & pastrami, and manti (a ravioli-like dish served with yoghurt). The city has a population of over one million. The city consists of 16 metropolitan districts. Erkilet International Airport is a short distance from the city center. The city is also connected to the rest of the country with railway service. The transportation within the city depends mainly on buses, personal vehicles and light rail transit. There are 2 new generation post-modern sport venues. One is Kadir Has Stadium, which has the capacity of 33,000 spectators. The other is Kadir Has Sports Arena, which has a seating capacity of 7,200 people. There are 3 state and 1 private universities in the city. The state ones are Erciyes University, the first and the largest one; Abdullah Gul University, started enrolling staff in 2013; Kayseri University, a newly-established one. Nuh Naci Yazgan is a private university founded in 2009. In addition, Kayseri is an industrialized city with a lot of various factories and companies in Kayseri Free Zone. The city was one of the first trade fair sites in the world. The Kaneš and Karum ruins, centres of trade between the Assyrians and the Hittites, are 22 kilometres to the east of Kayseri’s Foreign Bazaar, which itself belongs to the Seljuk period and lies 80 kilometres to the south-east of Kayseri.

Besides possessing a great number of relics and ancient remains from the Hittite, Assyrian, Greek and Roman periods, the city also has a great number of Ottoman and Seljuk historical works of art and has always been a trade centre as well. A great many large historical inns and caravanserais exist in its vicinity and several of them are still spectacular places to visit. The Sultan Han, 45 kilometres to the east of Kayseri, the Karatay Caravanserai, 60 kilometres south-east of Kayseri, and Incesu Kara Mustafa Pasha Caravanserai, 20 kilometres west of Kayseri, are among the few that still exist.

Mt. Erciyes, located at height of 1800-3000m and 25 km away from the city center, is one of the most attractive winter tourism centers in Turkey. Anatolian Wonderland, with a zoo within its body, is situated on an area of 180 decares. There are a lot of recreational activities to do as well such as ice skating, figure skating, and ice hockey etc. Mount Ali, one of the most important paragliding centers in our country, has characteristics of an international center for paragliding.

Cappadocia is a famous tourist destination located in the southwest of Kayseri. It has many areas with unique geological, historic, and cultural features.

The Toros Mountains, which lie within the borders of the city, the Kapuzbashi Waterfalls near Yahyalı and Sultan Sazlighi (bulrushes), also known as “Birds’ Paradise'' on the same route, are among the area’s natural wonders. Millions of birds, including 259 varieties, fly over or visit Sultan Sazligi every year. Kayseri, the centre of the Cappadocia region, is 80 kilometres from Göreme and 70 kilometres from the Soğanlı Valley, a picturesque valley of innumerable chapels, church halls, houses and tombs.

Get to know our university

Erciyes University which is located in Kayseri province in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey was established in 1978. The name of the University was inspired by Mount Erciyes (3916 m), which lies 15 kilometers to the southwest of the city.  Mt Erciyes is one of Turkey's most influential winter sports centers.

Today, Erciyes University is among the most reputable universities of Turkey and consists of 7 institutes, 18 faculties, 3 colleges, 10 vocational colleges, 38 research centers. Erciyes University has 3 campuses (Kayseri Central, Seyrani & Tomarza) and a total of 445 departments. The main campus (Kayseri Central Campus) has integrating education, research and health services all in one area.

The university has Medicine, Engineering, Economics and Administrative Sciences, Architecture, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Theology, Fine Arts, Education, Communication, Sciences, Arts, Health Sciences, Aeronautics and Astronautics, Tourism, Law, Pharmacy, Agriculture faculties. A highly developed research hospital consists of more than 1,500 beds with a general hospital (Gevher Nesibe Hospital) and with its other hospitals is among the most influential health facilities in the region.

Our staff^[1] and staff have the opportunity to benefit from the specific national & international Exchange Programs working under our Foreign Relations Office such as Erasmus+, Mevlana & Farabi exchange programs.

Erciyes University has 140 student clubs operating under 10 platforms (Health, Economics and Business Administration Platform, Science and Culture, Culture and Art, Science, Technology, Social Activities, Sports, Education and Literature & Theatre Platforms).

Please refer to the Information Catalogue for more detailed information about the faculties, schools, vocational schools, graduate schools, and research centres of ERU.

Turkish Language Courses

The International Staff who wish to learn Turkish can apply to ERSEM (Erciyes University Continuing Education Center). ^[2]

Did you know that Turkish is…

*         Spoken natively in two continents but only one country.

The largest Turkish-speaking city, Istanbul, has a population of 14 million. Istanbul is unique in that it spans two continents: half of it is in Europe, and the other half is in Asia. There are approximately 10 million native Turkish speakers in Europe and just under 70 million in Asia.

*         Spoken more than Italian and Greek combined.

There are 60 million native Turkish speakers throughout the world and 15 million more who speak it as a second language. So altogether that are over 75 million people on the planet who know Turkish.

*         Turkish words are essentially sentences.

As Turkish is an agglutinative language, complex phrases are formed by adding prefixes and suffixes instead of adding different words. For example, the word evlerinizden means “from your houses”, and consists of four individual parts: ev (house), ler (plural), iniz (your), and den (from).