Meet the 2026 Scholars

Ayşe Duran

Hello, my name is Ayşe Duran. I am a fourth-year law student at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University. Being selected for this project in the summer of my third year was a true turning point in my life, giving me unforgettable memories and unique experiences.
During the program, my journey was much more than language classes. Living in a vibrant, multicultural city allowed me to discover new cultures, different tastes, and fresh perspectives. Immersed in London’s rich history and art scene, visiting world-famous museums, watching musicals, and attending theatre plays broadened my horizons and enriched my worldview.
On the academic and professional side, this experience opened important new doors for me. We visited global company offices such as Google, Meta, and Bloomberg. Most importantly, I had the valuable opportunity to meet Turkish lawyers who completed their legal education in Turkey and now work at international companies in London. Listening to their journeys showed me that global goals are possible and clearly shaped my vision for pursuing an LL.M. degree abroad.
Overall, this one month in London was a journey of personal growth and transformation. It helped me become more confident, independent, and clear about my future. I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this project and gave us this life-changing opportunity.

Ajda Barış

Hello, my name is Ajda Barış, and I am a fourth-year Industrial Engineering student at Yalova University. In 2026, I had the opportunity to be one of the students selected for the EDUC8 London Program!

Before coming to London, I was excited about improving my English, but I did not know how much this experience would teach me outside the classroom. During my one month in London, I attended language classes at LSI London Central and practiced English in my daily life. Speaking English every day helped me become more comfortable and confident when communicating with people from different backgrounds.

One of the most valuable parts of the program was the company visits. Visiting Google, Meta, and Bloomberg allowed me to see how global companies work and how technology, AI, sustainability, and innovation are shaping business life. As an Industrial Engineering student, these visits helped me connect what I learn at university with real working environments.

Living in a new city, meeting new people, using public transportation, visiting museums, and exploring different parts of the city were all part of the experience. I learned that being away from home can be challenging, but it also helps you become more independent and confident.

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Irem Öztürk

My name is Irem Öztürk, and I am a third-year medical student at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, studying in the English-medium program. Being selected for the EDUC8 project was a very meaningful experience for me, both personally and academically.

Spending a month in London gave me the opportunity to experience a completely different environment from my everyday university life. Beyond improving my English, I had the chance to explore a multicultural city, and see the world from perspectives I had not encountered before. Visiting museums, theatres, and different parts of London helped me become more curious and open-minded, while also making me more confident in an international environment.

The professional experiences were especially valuable for me as a medical student. Visiting international companies and meeting professionals helped me understand how education, technology, and different disciplines can come together to create new opportunities. 

The program encouraged me to think beyond the boundaries.

Looking back, EDUC8 was much more than a one-month experience in London. It helped me grow in confidence, broaden my perspective, and see more possibilities for my future. 

Ceren Veysanoğlu

Hello, I am Ceren Veysanoğlu. I am studying Economics and Industrial Engineering at Koç University. Being selected for the Educ8 project was one of the biggest turning points of my life. During this program, while improving my English, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Imperial College London, a university I had always dreamed of seeing, and explore tech giants like Meta and Google. As an Economics and Industrial Engineering student, being in Canary Wharf, the heart of the financial world, and visiting Bloomberg, a company closely aligned with my fields of study, was truly fascinating. I also had the chance to meet inspiring professionals who graduated from my department and now work in different sectors.

Beyond academic and professional growth, this journey enriched me culturally as well. I attended breathtaking musicals, saw world-famous paintings in person, and explored new cities. Thanks to all these experiences, I returned from London with greater self-confidence, personal growth, wonderful memories, and strong connections with amazing people. I am deeply grateful for this experience, which truly broadened my perspective and expanded my vision of what is possible.

Elanur Küçükaslan

Hello, I’m Elanur Küçükaslan, a 4th-year medical student at Karadeniz Technical University. I am one of the six female students selected for the Educate 8 2026 program.
​I was so excited when I got accepted, and I was completely right because London gave me far more than I imagined. During my language course, I had the chance to practice English with people from all around the world. Because London is such a multicultural city, it truly helped me improve my self-confidence, speaking skills, and communication.
​I visited museums, attended musicals, theaters, and even BBC Proms. I also visited global companies like Google, Bloomberg, and Meta.​In addition, I visited Oxford and Cambridge to see their prestigious universities. I met with expert doctors who shared invaluable insights about different healthcare systems and their experiences, which also gave me the chance to visit places like the Cancer Institute.
​This experience changed my life and broadened my mind incredibly. London shows you that anything is possible and that there is still so much of the journey ahead.

Eda Nur Çıtak

Hello, I’m Eda Nur Çıtak, a 4th-year Biology student at Istanbul University.

I spent a month in London that went beyond my dreams.

Visiting global companies such as Google, Meta, and Bloomberg gave me new perspectives, while London’s cultural and artistic life deepened my passion for art. As a biology student, seeing Charles Darwin’s original specimens at the Natural History Museum was especially inspiring.

The language education I received gave my English a significant boost, while meeting friends from different cultures and nationalities broadened my perspective. Living in a multicultural environment helped me see the world from different points of view.

Meeting researchers in my field, visiting Oxford, UCL, and other leading universities, and seeing research environments closely helped me better understand my academic goals and gave me the confidence to apply for master’s programs at these universities.

For a young woman who comes from a small village and has big dreams, this program was not only an educational opportunity; it was a turning point that showed me that my dreams can become reality. It gave me the chance to believe in my potential and have the courage to work towards making it a reality.

August 2026 will always be one of the most beautiful and unforgettable months of my life.