International Student Shift: Focus on Cities Instead of Countries

Evolution of Destination Selection Criteria

In recent years, the decision-making process for studying abroad has undergone fundamental changes. Remzi Kalafat, director of the Educaistanbul group, mentioned in media interviews that a country's name alone is no longer sufficient to attract students. According to reports published in June 2026, applicants are now looking for details that can only be examined at the micro and urban levels [1]. This behavioral shift indicates an increase in student awareness regarding structural differences across various regions of a single country.

Why Cities Have Become More Important Than Countries?

Kalafat believes that economic, cultural, and welfare differences between various cities in a country can be vast. For example, the cost of living in London is not comparable to Manchester, nor is New York to Texas. Today's students use digital tools to check local unemployment rates, neighborhood safety, and even the quality of public transportation in a specific city before applying [2].

He states: "Students no longer ask whether Germany is good for studying; instead, they ask whether Munich is more suitable for them than Berlin, considering housing costs and job opportunities in engineering?" This level of precision demonstrates the intellectual maturity of a new generation of students seeking a Return on Investment (ROI) from their education [3].

The Role of Educaistanbul in Guiding Students

As a leader in the field of student recruitment, Educaistanbul has aligned its strategies with these changes. Kalafat emphasizes that the duty of consultants is no longer merely to introduce a university, but to provide detailed analyses of the urban ecosystem where the university is located. This approach helps students choose their future professional path with a broader perspective and lower risk [1].

New Trends in 2026

As we enter the second half of 2026, we see that smaller cities with specialized facilities (such as technology or art hubs) have gained more attraction than expensive capitals. Remzi Kalafat believes that this "city-centric" trend will soon become the primary standard in the international education industry, and universities that collaborate more closely with their city management will be more successful in attracting talent. This has intensified the competition between cities to attract international students as a future workforce.