Meet the 2015 Scholars

Eda ADANIR POLAT

Hello, I am Eda Adanır Polat. I am an Electrical and Electronics Engineer, and I have been working as a maintenance engineer at a container port for over eight years. I am married and a mother of a 3-year-old daughter.

When I was selected for the Educ8 program, I was a third-year student at Gaziantep University. Through this program, I received one month of language training and mentoring support in New York. As someone who was only 22 years old and had never traveled abroad before, I can confidently say that the experiences I gained there have profoundly impacted my life. Before that, I thought my capabilities were limited and that there were many things I couldn't achieve, but as I listened to the success stories of the people I met there, I began to believe that such a path was possible for me too. I learned not to give in to despair at the slightest setback, but to find alternative solutions. Beyond improving my English, I became a braver person, ready to take steps that would lead to profound changes in my life. Even after all these years, I can still feel the effects in every area of my life.

Nevruz ERARSLAN

In 2015, while I was a psychology student, I was selected to participate in the Educ8 program. This program not only improved my basic English skills but also showed me that it is possible to build a better life. Traveling to a country as far away as the United States, one of the most developed countries in the world, attending language training there, and participating in various activities gave me immense courage above all else.

After the program, I graduated and worked as a psychologist for the Ministry of Health, first in Tatvan and then in Izmir. During this time, I did my best to serve my country. However, I eventually realized it was time to do something for myself. At that point, the courage and vision I gained from the Educ8 program enabled me to turn the dream of learning a new language and living in a new country into reality. I first learned German at the B2 level, and then I managed to find a job as a psychologist in Germany. For about a year now, I have been living in Frankfurt and working with children and young people with migration backgrounds. I must especially emphasize that my knowledge of English has been incredibly beneficial for my work.

Educ8 not only helped me improve my language and cultural awareness but also gave me the courage and confidence to reshape my life. I experience the program’s impact every single day in my current journey. I hope that new participants will seize this opportunity and take steps to transform their own lives as well.

Dilanur KAMALI

I’m Dilanur Kamali, and I had the privilege of being one of the first five girls selected for the Educ8 program back in 2015, during its very first year. Now, I’ve been working as an Application Scientist based in Turkey, providing training and supporting lab setups across several countries — including Turkey, Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Armenia. When I first joined Educ8, I was just starting my studies at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, majoring in Molecular Biology and Genetics, and taking an English prep year. The program came at such a pivotal time for me — it gave me the chance to explore my potential, build my confidence, and dream bigger than I ever had before. Through the opportunities and experiences Educ8 opened up for me, I went on to intern multiple times at incredible institutions in New York, like Weill Cornell Medicine and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, while I was still an undergraduate student. Being part of an international program like this, and having the chance to live and learn in New York at such an early stage of my academic life, was truly transformative. It changed the way I saw the world, the way I approached my career, and most importantly, what I believed was possible for myself.
In 2020, like many, my plans were impacted by the pandemic, and I wasn’t able to return to New
York as planned. Instead, I started a Master’s program in Molecular and Translational Medicine at Acıbadem University in Turkey. Since 2022, I’ve been continuing my journey as an Application Scientist — and to this day, I still feel the deep impact that crossing paths with Educ8 back in 2015 has had on both my personal and professional life.

Gül AĞAR

I’m Gül Ağar, one of the 2015 graduates of the Educ8 Program. I learned about the Educ8 Program through Ms. Günay Aksoy’s inspiring and brave initiative, the faith of many people who helped turn this initiative into reality, and the endless support CYDD provided for education.

After completing the program, I began working as a project coordinator at a regional local government association in Istanbul, focusing on the social inclusion of disadvantaged people in society. In 2018, I moved to the United States as a permanent resident and worked as an assistant manager and manager for an institutional café-bakery chain. Later, in New York, I worked as a researcher for a global advisory and standards firm that serves businesses, investors, governments, and multilateral organizations.

After spending 1,5 years in Lebanon, I moved back to the U.S. 1,5 months ago with my husband. When our legal process is complete, we are planning to open our own business here.

Fatmanur KİLVAN

I am one of the five lucky girls selected for the Educ8 program in 2015. At the time, I was only a second-year medical student. This program has played a very significant role in my life—in fact, I can say it was a turning point for me. It not only helped me improve my English, but also opened the doors to an entirely new world.
Despite my financial limitations at the time, I had the opportunity to travel to the United States—one of the most developed countries in the world—to receive language training, participate in activities, and meet successful mentors in their fields. This experience greatly broadened my vision. Thanks to the people I met through the program, I had the chance to do outstanding internships in orthopedics and plastic surgery in the U.S. in 2016 and 2018.
After the program, I graduated from medical school in 2019. I served in an emergency room in Southeastern Turkey for two years. Then, in 2022, I ranked 145th out of 20,000 doctors in the national medical specialization exam and earned the right to specialize in plastic surgery in Istanbul. I have been a plastic surgery resident for the past three years, and in two years, I will become a specialist. I got married in 2023.
Thanks to this program, I improved both my language skills and my vision. Now, I can make travel plans to anywhere in the world, confidently send emails for internship opportunities, and prepare English presentations for medical congresses with ease.
I would like to congratulate the new participants in advance. I highly recommend that you make the most of this program and see it as a great opportunity to shape your future accordingly.