International and Domestic Challenges of MoNE Scholarship Students Abroad: A Ranking-Based Analysis with Policy Implications

Demet Alkan

doi:10.63612/ijesp.1773731

International and Domestic Challenges of MoNE Scholarship Students Abroad: A Ranking-Based Analysis with Policy Implications

Abstract

Identifying the challenges faced by postgraduate students studying abroad is of critical importance for both academic success and student well-being. In this study, the difficulties experienced by students enrolled in the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) overseas postgraduate scholarship program were examined using a ranking judgment-based scaling method. Employing both qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques, qualitative data obtained from semi-structured interviews conducted with 200 scholarship recipients in the first phase were systematically analyzed and classified into 12 themes. Subsequently, students ranked these problems according to their perceived importance and developed solution proposals. The data were analyzed using the ranking judgment-based scaling method to calculate priority scores for the problems, while the solution proposals were evaluated through content analysis based on students’ views. The findings indicate that the most critical problems include insufficient scholarship amounts relative to the cost of living in the host country, housing difficulties, psychological stress arising from fear of failure and compensation obligations, challenges to family unity, and inadequacies in healthcare services. In particular, the insufficiency of scholarship amounts to cover living costs and psychological stress stand out as issues requiring the most urgent intervention for students. The findings were also associated with international scholarship programs, demonstrating that similar challenges are encountered in both the Global South and high-income countries. Policy recommendations include revising scholarship amounts, increasing transparency in administrative processes, strengthening academic advising mechanisms, providing psychosocial support services, and developing culturally adaptive orientation programs. The study offers a student-centered and evidence-based foundation for redesigning MoNE scholarship policies.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The ethics application for the study was made on 19.06.2025 and the research was carried out with the approval of Ankara Sosyal Bilimler University Ethics Commission dated 19.06.2025and numbered 165954.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Measurement and Evaluation in Education (Other), Higher Education Policies, Higher Education Systems, Higher Education Studies (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Demet Alkan ^*
0000-0002-1478-9183
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 29, 2025

Submission Date

August 29, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 6, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.1773731

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA68UK69NM

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Alkan, D. (2025). International and Domestic Challenges of MoNE Scholarship Students Abroad: A Ranking-Based Analysis with Policy Implications. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy, 7(1), 44-60. https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.1773731

AMA

1.Alkan D. International and Domestic Challenges of MoNE Scholarship Students Abroad: A Ranking-Based Analysis with Policy Implications. IJESP. 2025;7(1):44-60. doi:10.63612/ijesp.1773731

Chicago

Alkan, Demet. 2025. “International and Domestic Challenges of MoNE Scholarship Students Abroad: A Ranking-Based Analysis With Policy Implications”. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy 7 (1): 44-60. https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.1773731.

EndNote

Alkan D (December 1, 2025) International and Domestic Challenges of MoNE Scholarship Students Abroad: A Ranking-Based Analysis with Policy Implications. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy 7 1 44–60.

IEEE

[1]D. Alkan, “International and Domestic Challenges of MoNE Scholarship Students Abroad: A Ranking-Based Analysis with Policy Implications”, IJESP, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 44–60, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.63612/ijesp.1773731.

ISNAD

Alkan, Demet. “International and Domestic Challenges of MoNE Scholarship Students Abroad: A Ranking-Based Analysis With Policy Implications”. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy 7/1 (December 1, 2025): 44-60. https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.1773731.

JAMA

1.Alkan D. International and Domestic Challenges of MoNE Scholarship Students Abroad: A Ranking-Based Analysis with Policy Implications. IJESP. 2025;7:44–60.

MLA

Alkan, Demet. “International and Domestic Challenges of MoNE Scholarship Students Abroad: A Ranking-Based Analysis With Policy Implications”. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy, vol. 7, no. 1, Dec. 2025, pp. 44-60, doi:10.63612/ijesp.1773731.

Vancouver

1.Demet Alkan. International and Domestic Challenges of MoNE Scholarship Students Abroad: A Ranking-Based Analysis with Policy Implications. IJESP. 2025 Dec. 1;7(1):44-60. doi:10.63612/ijesp.1773731