ISSN  1005-­‐2038   Journal  of  Educational  and  Social  Research   Vol.2  May  2014    

 The  Beliefs  about  Life  and  Hereafter  and  Its  Affects  on  Students’  Life  in  

Cyprus        

Mustafa  Gedik    

Department  of  English  Language  Teaching  Girne  American  University,  Faculty  of  Education  

Email:  mustafagedik@live.com        

       Abstract:  This  study  basicly  investigated  three  different  nations’  beliefs  about  life  and  hereafter.  It  also  aimed  at  finding  the  effect  of  gender  on  learners’  beliefs  about  life  and  hereafter.  However  the  main  reason  to  make  this  research  is  to  find  a  solution  for  students’  problems.  To  this  end,  I  have  interviewed  2  female  students  and  3  male  lecturers  about  life  and  hereafter.  The  findings  showed  that  people  give  the  most  importance  to  their  family  and  friends  first.  It  also  showded  that  most  of  them  happy  with  their  life.  The  most  important  thing  is  unfortunately  the  people  who  belive  in  afterlife  don’t  make  any  preperation  for  it.    Morover,  there  wasn’t  many  significant  difference  between  learners’  beliefs  and  gender.    Key  Words:  Beliefs  about  hereafter;  life  and  hereafter;  beliefs  about  life;  Beliefs  about  life  and  hereafter    

1. Introduction    In  the  past  two  decades,  there  has  been  an  exponential  student  population  growth  in  Cyprus  (EMN  Main  Study  2012:Immigration  of  International  Students  to  the  EU).  However  with  this  growth,  there  have  been  started  new  problems  in  the  Cyprus  Island.  Students  coming  from  all  around  the  world  with  low  income  had  many  difficulties  to  get  used  to  life  here.  This  study  aims  to  explore  people’s  thoughts  about  life  and  hereafter  to  find  a  solution  to  students’  problems  (which  also  affects  Cypriots).  To  learn  this,  the  present  study  addresses  the  following  questions:    

• Does  hereafter  belief  affect  people’s  life?    

2. Results    Research  Question:  Does  hereafter  belief  affect  people’s  life  in  Cyprus?      

ISSN  1005-­‐2038   Journal  of  Educational  and  Social  Research   Vol.2  May  2014    

According  to  my  interview,  it  showed  that  most  of  the  people  I  asked  thinks  life  is  important  because  of  friends  or  family  members.  All  of  my  interviewee  is  happy  with  their  life  and  they  don't  really  would  like  to  change  anything  in  their  lives.  According  to  my  research,  only  one  person  told  that  his  partner  (wife)  is  the  most  important  person  in  his  life.  Everyone  who  attended  in  my  interview  has  a  unique  life  event  of  course  but  all  of  them  told  their  happiesnt  moment  in  their  lives.  Nearly  all  of  them  told  that  their  main  goal  is  to  be  happy  and  succesfull.  80%  of  them  told  that  they  would  travel  if  they  have  one  year  to  live.  Generally  they  would  like  to  remembered  by  as  a  good  person.  Most  of  them  believe  in  afterlife  but  they  don't  prepare  very  well  as  their  religious  wants.  Also,  there  wasn’t  any  significant  difference  between  genders.    

3. Conclusion    The  present  study  aimed  at  invastigating  student  problems  in  Cyprus.  Findings  showed  that  many  people  believes  afterlife,  however  all  of  them  doesn’t  make  what  their  religious  require.  This  brings  problems  to  people’s  current  life  bacause  they  should  first  respect  their  life,  and  respect  their  religious  view.  However  I  think  that  this  happen  because  of  this  people  who  don’t  make  what  their  religious  require  is  uneducated  about  their  religious.  Students  should  be  educated  about  their  religious  even  in  the  universities.  This  will  reduce  the  crime  percentage,  and  will  make  them  awaked.      

4. References    

Cyprus,  Ministry  of  Interior  (2012).  Immigration  of  International  Students  to  the  EU.  Bernat,  E  (2001).  International  Students’  Problems.  Cypriot  Turkish  Journal,  21(2),  40-­‐54.