Abstract:

Istanbul is one of the largest metropole cities with more than thirteen million inhabitants. The city is also home to many foreign students from all over the world, studying in more than 30 universities. It is a known fact that Istanbul is prone to many risks including earthquakes, heavy rain and floods, landslides, forest fires, industrial explosions and fires, wind and snowstorms, heat wave, fog, transportation accidents and terrorist attacks. This study focused on foreign students attending eight universities in different parts of Istanbul. The survey is designed to collect information on the students’ disaster awareness, knowledge of disasters and potential risks in the city and preparedness. 194 foreign students have participated in the survey and were interviewed. They are from 61 different countries. During disasters, foreign nationals who do not speak the native language may be considered among vulnerable communities, as they will not understand directives, other crucial information released during, and following a disaster. The results of the survey shows that the foreign students are not much aware of the potential risks, most of them do not know what do to during disasters and they do not have emergency plans. The exceptions are the students who have had personal disaster experiences in the past. Therefore, more research has to be carried on foreign nationals’ needs before, during and after disasters. It is the opinion of the authors that the universities need to provide more background information on the topic and develop materials for foreign students on disasters for better orienting them.  

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