International Entrepreneurship

Our Mission and Vission

Click here for the Program Learning Outcomes and Program Educational Objectives of the Department of International Entrepreneurship (UGİ)

Reasons to Study International Entrepreneurship (UGİ)

About the Department of Internatıonal Entrepreneurship

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Department of International Entrepreneurship

The Department of International Entrepreneurship began admitting students in 2010 and is the first and only department in Turkey specializing in international entrepreneurship and regional studies. The aim of the undergraduate program in entrepreneurship is to train a qualified workforce capable of working in international companies — individuals who have a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of entrepreneurship, business, and economics, and who have acquired language skills, education, cultural knowledge, and business management experience in regions of strategic economic and political importance to our country, particularly in Russia, the Turkic Republics, and the Middle East. During their education, in addition to English, our students learn the language of their target region (Russian or Arabic) at a proficient level and gain firsthand experience of living in that region.

The operation of the department differs from other departments within the faculty. The department focuses on two target regions and is divided into two programs: one for Russian-speaking countries and another for Arabic-speaking countries. Students choose the region in which they will specialize during their second year of study. In the near future, programs focusing on Chinese-speaking countries and European Union countries (Germany, the Netherlands, or Spain) will be launched, thereby expanding the target regions.

Students in the Department of International Entrepreneurship spend one academic year of their studies in the countries corresponding to their chosen program. Under this program, students are sent to Russia, Ukraine, and Jordan. All arrangements — including agreements with the host universities, accommodation, stipends, and transportation — are organized by the department. In the fall semester of the second year, students begin their region-specific education in Turkey. Those who plan to study in Russia or Ukraine receive instruction in Russian reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar, while those who plan to study in Jordan take equivalent courses in Arabic. After completing this foundational language training in Turkey, students are sent to their chosen country in the spring semester of the second year to continue their language education. During their time abroad, they take only language courses — Russian for those in the Russian program, and Arabic for those in the Arabic program — thus reinforcing the language instruction they received in Turkey. In the fall semester of the fourth year, students take courses focusing on the economy, politics, and geography of their selected target region.

While in Turkey, students take business and entrepreneurship courses — such as marketing, finance, accounting, management, and human resources — to develop the skills necessary to run a business. They also take data analysis and programming courses that enable them to conduct economic analyses. Moreover, by the end of their undergraduate studies, students gain an advanced understanding of the economic, political, and socio-cultural structures of their chosen target regions.

Academic Staff

Cooperative Education

As of the 2024–2025 academic year, a total of 208 students have participated in the Cooperative Education Program. They have completed their placements in 123 different companies and institutions, including public organizations, chambers of commerce and industry, business associations, and production enterprises.

Approximately 6% of our students completed their cooperative education abroad, in seven different countries: Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Poland.

Furthermore, 8% of our graduates received job offers and began their professional careers at the same companies where they completed their cooperative education.

Organizations and Companies Hosting the Largest Number of Cooperative Education Students

• German–Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Ankara Chamber of Industry
• Ankara Chamber of Commerce
• Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Arçelik A.Ş.
• Benefits Consulting and Training Services
• Borçelik Çelik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.
• Borusan Otomotiv Import and Distribution A.Ş.
• Canada Trade Office
• Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK)
• com
• Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK)
• Ernst & Young Northern Certified Public Accountants and Independent Auditing Inc.
• Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce
• Eti Gıda Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.
• GAMA Holding A.Ş.
• Gazprom Neft Asia
• ICC Turkey – International Chamber of Commerce
• Economic Development Foundation (İKV)
• Lukoil Eurasia Petrol A.Ş.
• Migros Türk A.Ş.
• Navitas Energy Consulting Engineering Ltd.
• Central Anatolian Exporters’ Associations
• PwC Management Consulting A.Ş.
• Roketsan A.Ş.
• Rönesans Holding A.Ş.
• Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Industry and Trade A.Ş.
• Ministry of Family and Social Services, Republic of Türkiye
• Council of State, Republic of Türkiye
• Ministry of Trade, Republic of Türkiye
• TAV Airports Holding A.Ş.
• Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV)
• Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB)
• TOBB University of Economics and Technology (TOBB ETÜ)
• Vestel Ventures R&D A.Ş.
• YDA Construction Industry and Trade A.Ş.
• Yüksel Project International A.Ş.

Graduates

As of the 2024–2025 academic year, the Department has 196 graduates.
Based on data collected from 138 graduates with whom contact has been established:

• 79% are employed in the private sector,
• 14% are engaged in entrepreneurial activities,
• 2% are employed in the public sector, and
• 4% are pursuing academic careers.

Positions and Titles Held by Graduates

The chart below presents the most common positions and professional titles held by our graduates. A significant proportion of our graduates have demonstrated strong entrepreneurial potential by establishing their own businesses.

Among those who have not founded their own enterprises, the main sectors and organizations in which our graduates are employed are listed below.

Currently, 83% of graduates of the Department of International Entrepreneurship (UGİ) hold a bachelor’s degree, 16% hold a master’s degree, and 2% hold a doctoral degree.

Countries Where Our Graduates Are Employed

Graduates of the Department of International Entrepreneurship are currently pursuing professional careers in various countries around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and Germany, among others.

Where Are Our Graduates Now?

Utku Can Kurucuoğlu

Entrepreneurial Vision: From International Experience to the Business World

I take great pride in being one of the first students and graduates of the Department of International Entrepreneurship. By combining the strong theoretical foundation I gained at university with the practical experience I acquired during my internships, I began my professional career even before graduation as an Assistant Auditor at the Garanti Bank Inspection Board. After serving in various departments until May 2019, I transitioned into entrepreneurship, joining RealWorks and later co-founding RealMinds and RealPeople.

My multidisciplinary experience in technology, software, media, and human resources has deepened my entrepreneurial perspective and strategic thinking. I currently serve as a board member, actively contributing to business development and finance. The Department of International Entrepreneurship, through its combination of Russian language education and courses in finance, economics, and entrepreneurship, provides students with a broad global vision and valuable opportunities both locally and internationally.

İbrahim Taha Çiğdem

A Seed of an Idea in Kazan, Bearing Fruit in Antalya: A Global Entrepreneurship Story

Sometimes a business idea does not emerge from textbooks but from a supermarket shelf abroad — just as in the story of our graduate, İbrahim Taha Çiğdem. While studying in Kazan, he was struck by the price of blueberries and recognized not only the market potential but also the importance of visionary thinking. After conducting analyses and building international connections, he decided to start his own business. Upon returning to Turkey, he began blueberry production in Antalya.

Starting on a small scale, his venture will soon deliver its first harvest to the Moscow market, with plans to expand to 500 acres and produce 100 tons annually. His story exemplifies how the Department of International Entrepreneurship encourages students to think globally, recognize opportunities, and transform vision into success.

Sakip Mert Ünal

In the spring semester of the 2024–2025 academic year, I had the opportunity to complete my cooperative education at EY (Ernst & Young), one of the world’s leading auditing and consulting firms, in the Tax – GCR Department. EY, recognized as one of the global “Big Four” audit firms, operates in more than 150 countries and is ranked by LinkedIn among Turkey’s top 15 companies offering the best career opportunities.

During my internship, I actively participated in critical tasks such as tax risk analysis, financial statement auditing, document control, asset verification, the preparation of special-purpose reports, certified public accountant (CPA) approval processes, and client presentations. Beyond fulfilling my duties, I became an integral part of EY’s corporate culture and adopted its professional values. EY’s motto, “Shape the future with confidence,” became more than a slogan—it became my personal goal.

The multidimensional perspective I gained as an International Entrepreneurship student allowed me to transform this internship into a valuable experience of learning, contribution, and professional growth. At the end of my internship, EY offered me the opportunity to continue working with them, marking an important milestone in my career journey.

Furkan Enes Dilek

I completed my cooperative education in the Audit Department of PwC Turkey during the Spring 2024 semester. Throughout this period, I took an active role in the independent audit processes of several companies. These experiences enhanced my knowledge of accounting and financial reporting, while also allowing me to develop key competencies such as team management, project planning, and leadership.

Participating in audit projects across various sectors broadened my understanding of different industries and corporate practices. Completing my cooperative education during my final undergraduate semester gave me a significant advantage in career planning. It allowed me to evaluate whether the independent audit field aligned with my career goals—an experience that led me to continue my professional journey with PwC Turkey. In short, the cooperative education program not only strengthened my technical proficiency but also helped me make more informed career decisions.

Emine Sude Delier

During the spring semester of the 2024–2025 academic year, I had the opportunity to complete a three-month internship in one of Turkey’s most dynamic and strategic sectors—the defense industry. As a student of entrepreneurship, I realized that the defense sector extends far beyond engineering; it thrives on collaboration across many disciplines.

This experience allowed me to see the “bigger picture” of the defense ecosystem—its strategy, vision, and national value. Every day, I asked myself how I could contribute to this vital field. My entrepreneurship education helped me approach corporate life with an innovative mindset, opening new paths for personal growth. Combining academic theory with real-world experience showed me the true value of the cooperative education program. Completing a three-month internship in such a sector was an exceptional opportunity, for which I am deeply grateful to the Department of International Entrepreneurship and all those who supported me at Roketsan.

Berdan Hatipoğlu

A 2020 graduate of the Department of International Entrepreneurship, Berdan Hatipoğlu successfully transformed his academic journey into an international career. After earning a fully funded master’s degree in International Trade from St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, he began his professional life in Russia.

During his undergraduate studies, Berdan gained recognition for his thesis titled “Online Purchasing Behaviors: A Comparison of E-commerce Habits in Russia and Turkey.” His research on e-commerce and consumer behavior, enriched by cross-cultural experiences, laid the foundation for his international vision. Today, he continues to inspire young professionals with his determination, courage, and forward-looking mindset.

Muhammed Can Duran

Our graduate Muhammed Can Duran discovered his passion for coffee during his university years. For him, campus coffee breaks were not just moments of rest—they were opportunities to explore South American coffee culture and imagine the stories behind every bean.

While drawing up business model canvases in his entrepreneurship courses, he was unknowingly designing his own future: transforming South American coffee culture into a gourmet experience in Turkey. With knowledge in branding, customer experience design, and sustainable growth strategy, he turned this vision into reality. Soon after graduation, he founded his own specialty coffee shop, offering customers not just coffee, but culture and discovery—proof that entrepreneurship knows no borders.

Selin Acar

As a 2021 graduate of the Department of International Entrepreneurship, I have always felt fortunate to have studied in such a diverse and multidisciplinary program. The variety of courses allowed me to develop in areas aligned with my interests. Toward graduation, I became particularly interested in media and digital marketing and began working at an advertising agency. Later, I joined Crs Soft Software Company as an Event Coordinator and, after one year, advanced to the position of Procurement and Administrative Affairs Manager.

The managerial and organizational skills instilled through our program played a crucial role in this progression. Thanks to its multidisciplinary curriculum, English–Russian language education, and international experience, the Department of International Entrepreneurship equips students with the competencies to enter professional life even before graduation.

Erencan Cengiz

I joined the TOBB ETÜ Department of International Entrepreneurship in 2015 and graduated in 2020. Empowered by the entrepreneurial spirit that the program strengthened within me, I launched ventures first in the information technology sector and later in blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies.

After graduation, I moved to Istanbul to manage the Turkish operations of a Germany-based social media platform. Following the sale of our platform, Chattyco, to international investors in 2022, I relocated to Casablanca, Morocco, where I established a fast-food restaurant.

I believe that the confidence to make such bold decisions stems from the education I received and the experience I gained through my three semesters in Russia as part of the International Entrepreneurship program.

Buse Özgür

I chose the Department of International Entrepreneurship in 2014 for its international study opportunities and the chance to learn a third foreign language. It was also when I first became familiar with the concept of entrepreneurship. From the preparatory year onward, I gained practical experience by working part-time in various startups and institutions.

While simultaneously pursuing a double major in Business Administration, I founded my own startup in early 2018—during my third year—after receiving a grant from KOSGEB (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization). Numerous awards followed. Today, as I approach the sixth year of my entrepreneurial journey, I am proud to manage Ventus Caravan, a family-run venture that manufactures fully equipped motorhomes for both the Turkish and European markets.

I have always believed that happy employees do not tire; those who love what they do are happy. The Department of International Entrepreneurship gave me both the foundation and the courage to find and pursue the work I love. In today’s world, no program guarantees a ready-made profession—but this one teaches you to discover what you can achieve, to view business from new perspectives, to gain international experience, and to step confidently into professional life through internships. I have never regretted my choice.