Turkey has been one of the most affected countries by the Syrian conflict. Millions of Syrians are now living throughout Turkey, a majority of them outside of camps. Though initially they were referred to as "guests", it now appears most of them will likely stay. One of the most important goals of the country is to integrate Syrians into society, starting with children. CGTN's Michal Bardavid reports.

Ten-year-old Melissa is a Turkish student, she walks hand-in-hand with her best friend Azize, who is Syrian. They spend every recess together, giggling and chatting, playing their favorite game - volleyball. But it's not all laughs; they also help each other in class.

AZIZE SYRIAN STUDENT "Melissa helps me especially in math studies. Some questions require a lot of problem solving, so she helps me complete them."

These two young girls are part of an EU-funded project called Promoting Integration of Syrian Children into the Turkish Education System or "PICTES".

MICHAL BARDAVID ISTANBUL "This Fevzi Danis Primary School is located in Istanbul's Esenyurt district, it is the area where the largest number of refugees have settled in the city. The school is participating in the PICTES program. There are some three-thousand children studying here, and about 10 percent are Syrian."

Syrians who attend one of the thousands of PICTES schools first receive Turkish lessons. Officials emphasize language and communication is key to integration.

Muhammed Ozdemir is the psychological counselor at the school.

MUHAMMED OZDOGAN PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELOR, FEVZI DANIS PRIMARY SCHOOL "The process is not just for Syrians to adapt to the culture here, we are aiming to live united as a community, so while doing this, just as they learn our culture, we are trying to learn theirs, and create friendships. This is what we encourage our students and their parents to do as well."

The school puts a lot of focus on art and sports projects as well. As the lunch bell rings, children rush outside to play. Officials say the refugee children are also coping with the trauma from war.

FARUK YALCIN HEADMASTER, FEVZI DANIS PRIMARY SCHOOL "Such a mass migration needs to be managed well. If it is managed badly, in the coming years this could be damaging for our country. Therefore, we are trying to solve potential problems from their roots. We are starting to solve them from the beginning – primary school, that's why this is important."

But the problem is not an easy one to solve. There are more than three-and-a half million Syrian refugees in Turkey now, and not all Turks are as welcoming as they were during the beginning of the war eight years ago.

Some Syrians may eventually return to their home country but at least for the children who stay, integration programs give hope for a better future in Turkey. Michal Bardavid, CGTN, Istanbul.