Foreigners’ interest in Türkiye and its culture is growing daily, thanks to the efforts of the Yunus Emre Institute (YEI) to enhance Türkiye’s global visibility.

Tunisians exhibit strong interest in the Turkish courses offered by the Institute, motivated by reasons such as visiting and studying in Türkiye.

Since beginning its activities in Tunisia in 2017, the Yunus Emre Institute has been enriching Tunisia with Türkiye’s cultural essence and significantly boosting interest in Turkish culture through its notable cultural initiatives.

“My greatest dream is to explore and live in Türkiye”

Eya Yengui, one of the Institute’s students, remarks, “Türkiye is a fascinating country with its rich culture, history, and nature. The country is filled with a rich cultural heritage and natural beauty everywhere. To me, what makes Türkiye special are the historical buildings in İstanbul, the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, and the tranquil coasts of the Aegean region. My greatest dream is to explore and live in Türkiye.”

“While learning Turkish, I began to dream about visiting Türkiye”

Another student, Emna Akef, comments, “The cultures of Türkiye and Tunisia share similarities. So, I didn't feel like a foreigner while learning Turkish. While learning Turkish, I began to dream about visiting Türkiye. When I think of Türkiye, I envision natural beauties that are simply breathtaking. I want to experience these beauties firsthand and pursue a master’s degree in Türkiye.”

“İstanbul is a wonderful city”

Fatma Meddeb says, “I have only had the opportunity to visit İstanbul in Türkiye. İstanbul is a wonderful city. I would also love to visit the cities in the Black Sea region of Türkiye. What caught my attention the most about Turkish culture were the historical sites, music, and cuisine. Based on my experience with Turkish cuisine, I can confidently say that regardless of your palate preferences, you will find flavors in Turkish cuisine that appeal to you.”

“After visiting Türkiye, I decided to learn Turkish”

Radhia Habibi notes, “After visiting Türkiye, I decided to learn Turkish. During my time in Türkiye, I had the chance to visit İstanbul, Yalova, Eskişehir, and Bursa. I would love to visit Türkiye again.
In addition to my dream of visiting Türkiye again, I aim to enhance my Turkish proficiency to read documents on Turkish history.”

“They are fascinated by the distinctive landscapes and rich gastronomy of various Turkish cities”

Dr. Ali İhsan Çevik, Coordinator of YEI in Tunisia, commented on the interest of Tunisians in Turkish courses, saying, “Most of our participants are Tunisian high school and university students.  One of the primary reasons our students learn Turkish is their fascination with the distinctive landscapes and rich gastronomy of various Turkish cities, often portrayed in Turkish TV series. As the Institute, we bring the cultural essence of Türkiye to Tunisia through events showcasing various cultural elements, especially gastronomy, handicrafts, and music, which captivate the interest of Tunisians.”

Since 2017, the Yunus Emre Institute in Tunisia has been steadfast in enhancing cultural ties between the two countries through its ongoing cultural activities.