The Contribution of Campus Guidance Project to Students’ Institutional Sense of Belonging: The Case of Anadolu University

Abstract

Institutional sense of belonging is one of the important factors of success and productivity in the workplace. Students also feel that their sense of belonging to the schools they attend is an integral part of the school's institutional identity and play an important role both in academic achievement and participation in social activities on campus as well as in continuing ties with the university after graduation. At Anadolu University, the Campus Guidance Project was carried out in 2016 with the instructors of the Department of Tour Guiding and 22 volunteer students. Firstly, students were prepared for campus guidance and a total of 35 schools, 4842 students and teacher campus guidance services were provided between 04.04.2016 to 06.05.2016. In Turkey, there is a gap between theory and practice, especially tour guiding education programs need more practice lessons. It is expected that this project will contribute to increase students’ institutional sense of belonging. The aim of the study is to determine the institutional sense of belonging of the students who studied as a campus guide. Qualitative research method is used for the study. In-depth interviews were done with the 22 students. The answers of the students analyzed with the program called MAXQDA.