The undergraduate education I started to study at Izmir University of Economics in 2004 has created a solid foundation for me to start my academic career. Thanks to the presentations and assignments we prepared in classes, as well as the encouragement of active participation by all our professors in the Department of International Relations and the European Union, which I studied very fondly, the fact that analytical thinking and questioning became an indispensable part of our learning was reflected in all areas of my life. The competence gained in the language and terminology, which allows ability to read the basic resources of the International Relations discipline in English, has provided a great advantage especially for students like me who are considering an academic career. I graduated from my department as a top student in 2009. In addition, since my first year GPA was high, I took advantage of the double major program offered by the University and chose Department of Economics as the second department and I was entitled to receive a diploma from this department. I decided to focus on my academic career with the excitement of being a part of the discussion and the limitless world of learning at scientific events such as conferences and seminars I attended with the encouragement of our professors while I was still an undergraduate student. After my graduation, I started my master's degree in International Relations at Ege University and completed my master's degree in 2012 with the thesis "The Effects of Religious Identity on Political Life in the Middle East: Comparison of Iran and Pakistani Examples". Also, in the same year, I started to work as a research assistant at Yaşar University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of International Relations and enjoyed the happiness of being a part of the academic staff. In 2013, I continued my Research Assistantship, which I started at Dokuz Eylul University Graduate School of Social Sciences, Department of European Union, along with my education in the European Studies Doctorate Program. In 2019, I completed my thesis titled "The European Union's Democracy Promotion in Ukraine" and received my doctor title. In my academic journey as a dr. research assistant at Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Business, Department of International Relations, I constantly encounter the contributions of the education I received at Izmir University of Economics and continue my adventure of building scientific knowledge on this basis. I would like to thank all my professors who have contributed to me, and hope that you will benefit from the same experience.
