Sultan Boztepe, a 2024 graduate of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Political Science and International Relations, achieved a significant international success with her master's education in Hong Kong. While completing her master's degree in the 'Social Sciences in International Relations for Belt and Road Countries' program at Hong Kong Chu Hai College, Boztepe also spearheaded the establishment of the Hong Kong Turkish Student Association, bringing together Turkish students in Hong Kong.
Boztepe, who graduated from Üsküdar Üniversitesi with an English education, also pursued a Double Major Program (DMP) in the Sociology department during her undergraduate studies.
Boztepe, who decided to take her academic journey to the international arena, stated that this process developed unexpectedly and very quickly, adding: “I thought my visa wouldn't be issued. I hadn't psychologically prepared myself. My visa was issued on the 9th, and I was in Hong Kong on the 13th. It was a very sudden process.” Boztepe also emphasized that the support provided by Üsküdar Üniversitesi was decisive in her journey.
“Being in Asia was very instructive for a political science student”
Boztepe stated that she pursued her master's degree in Hong Kong under a state-supported Belt and Road Project scholarship, noting that studying in Asia fundamentally changed her perspective. Boztepe said; “Going to Asia instead of Europe all of a sudden was very challenging for me, but as a political science student, seeing a different system firsthand was incredibly instructive.”
Boztepe expressed that the biggest motivation during this period was the support from her professors at Üsküdar Üniversitesi.
Introduced Turkish culture in Hong Kong
Boztepe was not limited to academic studies during her education in Hong Kong.
She also organized events to promote Turkish culture in cooperation with the Hong Kong Consulate General and the university administration. Boztepe made the following evaluations regarding her experiences:
“We organized Turkish Culture Day. Turkish flags, Chinese brochures… Our Consulate provided a lot of material and moral support. The school administration was also very pleased with this interest.”
Boztepe added that these events increased interest in Turkey.
Hong Kong Turkish Student Association was born
Boztepe stated that she noticed there was no structure bringing students together despite the increasing number of Turkish students in Hong Kong, and this need was met with the establishment of the Hong Kong Turkish Student Association. Boztepe said; “As of 2025, the number of Turkish students in Hong Kong has reached its highest level in recent years. There was no structure here to keep us together. The idea of ‘Let's gather and form an association’ was born this way.”
Emphasizing that the main goal of the association is to make Turkey and Turkish culture more visible in Hong Kong, Boztepe stated that the formation will operate as a consulate-supported and student-based structure.
“Loneliness abroad matures a person greatly”
Boztepe pointed out that life in Hong Kong was mentally quite challenging, adding that this process gave her great self-confidence.
Boztepe also added that moments of great loneliness, where it is difficult to reach even your family due to time differences, incredibly mature a person.
“We are now entering the Chinese century”
Boztepe also spoke about her future goals, stating that she wants to work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specialize in the field of China, and advance academically. Boztepe used the expressions; “We are now entering the Chinese century. We need to understand China. There are very few people working in this field, and I want to fill this gap.”
“I returned with the feeling that I can do anything”
Addressing young women in particular, Boztepe emphasized that studying abroad significantly increases self-confidence. Boztepe spoke; “I was very scared when I left, but now I returned with the feeling ‘I can do anything.’ I want more female students to go abroad, develop themselves, and contribute to their country.”
Thanked her academics…
Sultan Boztepe thanked Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan, a faculty member in the Political Science and International Relations (English) Department, and Asst. Prof. Güler Kalay, Deputy Director of the Political Psychology Center, who supported her during this process, stating that the academic and institutional support provided by her university played a decisive role at this important turning point in her life.