"Target Friendship Project" reached its goal...

The "Target Friendship Project," implemented by the Üsküdar University International Student Relations Office to support the academic and social adaptation processes of international students, successfully concluded with a closing program. The project, which strengthened intercultural interaction through an empathetic, communicative, and value-oriented approach, contributed to establishing lasting bonds among students, and is aimed to be continued within the university as a sustainable mentorship model. Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the solution to every problem is the beginning of a project, adding that the Target Friendship Project should evolve into a benevolence project. 

The closing program, held at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall of the Main Campus, was attended by President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Rector of Üskülar University Prof. Nazife Güngör, Vice Rector Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel, Rector's Advisor Prof. Muhsin Konuk, Director of the Institute of Sufi Studies Prof. Elif Erhan, Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Gül Esra Atalay, Director of the Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO) Asst. Prof. Ömer Faruk Karasakal, Deputy Director of SHMYO Assoc. Prof. Feride Kulalı Özdek, Asst. Prof. Gülcan Ayral from the Department of Management Information Systems, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, academics, administrative staff, and students.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “The solution to every problem is the beginning of a project”

Emphasizing that prejudices are resolved through dialogue, President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said; “Young people coming from different cultures inevitably have cultural value judgments. These value judgments sometimes take the form of prejudices. The solution, or equivalent, to value judgments in psychology is dialogue. If there is dialogue, prejudices are resolved. The Target Friendship Project was a method of positive psychology. It is a method used in positive psychology to ensure positive communication and empathetic communication between people. There were groupings here, and these groupings sometimes led to unpleasant situations. The solution to every problem is the beginning of a project. We said, let's do this with systematic scientific methodology. Instead of focusing on problems, we thought about what could be done to prevent this problem. Then we wrote this project. Last year, I believe, it was published in a high-impact journal, a 3-4 impact journal of Hacettepe, in 2025. This is actually an exemplary project.”

“If we rewrite life scenarios, we will develop”

Tarhan mentioned that people should develop themselves by doing good things as they progress on their life path; “In the psychology department, there is an intercultural psychology department, cultural psychology. Psychology has three pillars in its definition: intellect, brain, and culture. Without one pillar, human psychology cannot stand. The cultural pillar is written in the human brain here. There are cultural patterns and standards developed since childhood. In our youth and childhood, we have learned life scenarios; life scenarios learned from our mothers, fathers, siblings, and environment. When we go to a new place, the actors change, but our life scenarios remain the same. Therefore, it is necessary to rewrite those life scenarios. If we rewrite them, we adapt and develop. Developing people develop this way. Those actors change, new actors come in, but it is necessary to renew that scenario, and thus, you see a beautiful personality and character emerge. The goal in the Target Friendship Project is that you are young people who have come here for education, you have embarked on an educational journey. You need a travel companion here. A travel companion is the greatest thing in one's life. As we progress on the path of life, since we are living in this life, let's develop ourselves by doing beautiful things.”

“Technology gives speed to our lives, while values give direction”

Emphasizing that unsustainable things are not permanent, Tarhan said; “There is the 3T rule: Diagnose the problem, treat it, and follow up. If you don't follow up, it remains incomplete. If you start with enthusiasm, diagnosis and treatment are clear, but if there is no follow-up, unsustainable things do not become permanent. Sustainability comes with dedication and belief. We will determine our own goals; good goals, bad goals. Let's ensure that the Target Friendship Project evolves into a benevolence project. Because if we don't do good, evil naturally increases according to the law of entropy in the universe. Currently, evil is increasing in the world. When the bad consequences of evil are seen, the good people work. Look at all the sacred texts, look at the prophets; they always tried to turn humanity towards good when evil was at its peak. For this reason, in the Target Friendship Project, we wanted to create a value-oriented project by incorporating human values. Because technology gives speed to our lives, while values give direction. If we don't learn universal values, we cannot learn them on our own.”

Prof. Nazife Güngör: “Small touches can lead to great beauties”

Drawing attention to the chaotic environment and conflicts in today's world, Rector of Üsküdar University Prof. Nazife Güngör stated that the solution lies in cultural communication. Güngör said; “Human history rises from time to time and calms down from time to time. But we know that humanity never gives itself peace. We need to solve this problem. Why is humanity so inclined to unrest rather than peace? Then there is a problem somewhere. The solution to that problem is integration, interaction; we call these 'interaction', 'cultural communication'. Therefore, if we get to know each other, approach each other, communicate, and interact, the problem will probably be solved. We will love each other as we get to know each other, because there is no reason not to love. The more we interact with each other around these goals, the more we contribute to a better course for the world, to a more beautiful future. Small touches can lead to great beauties.”

Prof. Muhsin Konuk: “Our international students will be our honorary representatives”

Emphasizing that international students will be Turkey's volunteer ambassadors, Rector's Advisor of Üsküdar University Prof. Muhsin Konuk drew attention to the sense of responsibility in this process. Konuk said; “My ideal is not just to save logs from a flood, but to embrace everyone caught in the flood, to protect everyone, and to have a sense of ownership over everyone. The more our international students get to know our culture, our body language, and our values, the more they will become our honorary representatives when they return to their countries. How much guidance we could provide, how much help we could offer, that is the most important thing. The more we protect you, the more you represent us wherever you go.”
Following the opening speeches, Asst. Prof. Gülcan Ayral from the Department of Management Information Systems, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, gave a presentation within the scope of the "Target Friendship Project."

Asst. Prof. Gülcan Ayral: “The Target Friendship project is actually a journey story”

Target Friendship Project Coordinator Asst. Prof. Gülcan Ayral stated that the project was not just an event, but a special journey that formed deep bonds. Ayral said; “The Target Friendship project is actually a journey, a journey story. It is an exciting, enjoyable, but equally challenging journey for young international students, involving loneliness, anxiety, adaptation difficulties, bewilderment, longing, homesickness, marginalization, and distance. This project went beyond being just an event that brought our students together; it became a special journey where cultures met, where not only pleasant moments but also difficulties were shared, especially in the complex period we live in today, and where strong friendships were forged and lasting bonds were formed.”

“It played a protective role in psychological variables”

Referring to the philosophy of doing and giving good at the core of the project, Dr. Ayral spoke about the functioning of the system. Ayral said; “Here we are talking about a goal or purpose-oriented system, and definitely a value-based approach that supports development and expresses friendship relationships. We decided to approach it as a form of relationship involving responsibility, empathy, and mutual support shaped around common goals. We built a system based on this understanding; doing and giving good. The program showed an increasing, healing, and protective effect on belonging and satisfaction. Overall, it turned out to be an effective, implementable, and sustainable model. The program created a strong impact, especially on social adaptation and belonging, while playing a protective role in psychological variables.”

“The project will continue as a mentorship program…”

Ayral also provided information about the institutionalization process of the project and the concrete outputs achieved; “Our Target Friendship brand has been registered. We had previously registered ISS, and we also registered Target Friendship. We applied for a patent and a utility model, and this year our project was registered as a utility model. We completed the project, but we transferred the project to the institution as a program. We handed over the program to our university in a very serious institutionalized form, with an organizational structure, procedures, job descriptions and documents, and an academic representative structure. We completed the first part of the journey with our students. The project will continue as a mentorship program. I say, it's time to embark on new paths together.”

Students also shared their experiences…

During the closing program, where students involved in the project also shared their experiences, certificates were presented to the participating students. 

Afterward, students cut a cake, celebrating the completion of the project and enjoying pleasant moments. 

The event, held in a sincere and warm atmosphere, reinforced interaction among students and strengthened the social dimension of the program.

The program concluded with a group photo session.