ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to my advisor Assist. Prof. Dr. Muhlise COŞKUN ÖGEYİK. Her wide knowledge and her logical way of thinking have been of great value for me. Her understanding, encouraging and personal guidance have provided a good basis for the present study. I wish to express my warm and sincere thanks to all of my students who have participated in the study. I am grateful to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tolga ARICAK for his guidance in statistical analysis of this study. His kind support has been of great value for this study. My sincere thanks are due to my friends and colleagues Gökçen BAYRAK YILMAZ and Fatma ÖZKAN for their untiring help during my difficult moments and to all other colleagues in International Relations Office at Trakya University for their support throughout my study. I owe my loving thanks to my parents Menşure and Hasan ÖZEN. They always encouraged me to study, and supported all my life. Without them, I would not have been where I am today. My special thanks are due to my brother Arda ÖZEN and my sister in law Lütfiye ÖZEN for their warm support. Finally, I would like to give special thanks to the cellist Tanju ARABOĞLU who encouraged me with his wonderful music and gave continual support throughout my study. i