|
|
|
 
Ceylan Olcer | Istanbul, Turkey
M.A. Candidate (BC10)
Like her country Turkey, Ceylan Olcer finds herself at the crossroads of a brave new world on the verge of joining the international community. Turkey's role on the world stage has intrigued Ceylan since high school, and she has followed the dialogue closely, trying to figure out a way to combine the progress with the economic development opportunities it would bring along.
"I am interested in what a possible EU membership would bring to Turkey's economy, culture and political scene," Ceylan says. "I believe that the transformation will open new and exciting opportunities for people who have strong international relations and economics backgrounds. I want to be a part of that."
Ceylan has already gained considerable international experience having attended university in New York and interned at organizations such as Action Against Hunger, the Turkish Philanthropic Fund in New York, and Coca Cola in Istanbul.
She also consulted for a European Union project in Glasgow, Scotland, working with small and medium-sized enterprises to help them overcome business challenges. "This experience helped me gain a better understanding of the Scottish economy as it shifts its focus from the production to the service industry. This might serve as a precursor to other developing markets as the world enters the next stage in globalization."
Talking to Turkish alumni and students convinced Ceylan that the SAIS program was best suited to her goals. "I know SAIS is the right place for me to get closer to the answers to the questions I have asked myself throughout college. It is an exceptional program that offers the best graduate education in the best possible environment."
"As I start my professional life, I want to have the background that will help me to make a difference in the world. Yes, I am an idealist, and I would like to keep it that way."
Degree: B.A., Columbia University, New York
Major: Economics
Languages: Turkish (native), German, French (conversational) and Italian (good enough to survive in Bologna!)
SAIS area of concentration: Conflict Management
Other interests: Photography, degustation, tennis
|
|
|
|
