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
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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
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