Students from the Tirebolu Faculty of Communication at Giresun University represented our university in an international project titled “Intercultural Marketing Communication,” held as part of the Erasmus Blended Intensive Program (BIP) and hosted by Yaşar University.

Under the guidance of Dr. Anıl Uğur Oğuzcan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Relations and Publicity, the program—which included Yasemin Usta and Gaye Naz Aydurmuş, students from the Department of Public Relations and Publicity at the Tirebolu Faculty of Communication—enabled the students to gain practical experience within the framework of international academic collaborations. After first receiving approximately two months of online training from academics based in the participating countries, the students took part in the program held at Yaşar University in İzmir from May 2 to 10, where they worked alongside teams from different countries on the digital and corporate communication strategies for the “Ohannes Burger” brand.

The project, which included universities from Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Georgia, brought together representatives from Yaşar University, Giresun University, Breda University of Applied Sciences, Koblenz University of Applied Sciences, the Polytechnic Institute of Porto-ISCAP, and the University of Georgia. Working in international mixed teams, the students participated in an intensive project development process focused on brand management and integrated marketing communications.

As part of the program, new communication campaigns were developed for “Ohannes Burger,” one of Turkey’s local gourmet burger brands. The work highlighted the brand’s commitment to homemade production, product quality, and artisanal identity, while aiming to reposition the brand away from the perception of a “run-of-the-mill fast-food burger joint” toward a boutique, high-quality production philosophy. In addition to academic work, cultural events and tours of Izmir organized as part of the program introduced international students to Turkey’s cultural values. Throughout the nine-day program, students had the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into practice alongside international teams.

Yasemin Usta, one of the students participating in the project, noted that working on a real-world brand challenge within an international team was a significant experience for her professional development and stated that they strove to represent Giresun University in the best possible way. Gaye Naz Aydurmuş, meanwhile, emphasized that collaborating with students from different countries on the same project contributed to both her academic and personal growth, noting that working on brand communication from an international perspective was a valuable experience. The program, which highlighted international academic and cultural exchange, helped students enhance their professional skills and gain a global perspective on communication.

Reporter: Öznur Çınar