On 24-26 December, 2016, the International Student Symposium was held at Istanbul University in Turkey. Eynur Mehdiyev, the Vice Chair of the English Language and Literature Department, represented Khazar University at the event. 

The main aim of the symposium was to illustrate the challenges faced by international students, discuss effective ways to help them overcome obstacles on the way to academic success and invite more students from all over the world to study in Turkey. 

Other participants in the symposium included members of Turkish Parliament, the rector of Istanbul University, Head of the Federation of International Student Associations, researchers, university lecturers from a variety of countries, and international students studying in Turkey.

Eynur Mehdiyev informed the participants of the symposium about a variety of challenges faced by international students based on previous research and explained that the challenges related to international students’ English language performance are considered to be the most serious since they affect students’ mental and physical state while studying and living abroad. He also stated that there is a direct link between international students’ English language proficiency and academic success. 

He made a presentation of his recent research on “Challenges faced by International Students from the Azerbaijan Republic in English Language Performance,” explaining the major difficulties experienced by Azerbaijani students while studying in universities where the medium of instruction is English. He also described the main factors that cause these challenges and suggested some key measures to be taken by the students to improve their English language proficiency before becoming international students.