The scholarship opportunities and the high-level academic staff, all of whom had previously worked at prestigious international universities, were influential in my decision to choose the Department of Economics at Izmir University of Economics, where I enrolled in 2002 with a full scholarship. After attending some of Turkey’s most established and successful schools; Eskişehir Anatolian High School and Ankara Science High School, choosing a newly founded university that was only one year old at the time was perhaps the most courageous and right decision I have ever made in my life. Having the opportunity to take on many responsibilities as a student during the formative years of our University greatly contributed to my character development and self-confidence. In addition to serving as a Student Council Member and President of the Cinema Club, I participated in the Theater and Latin Dance Clubs, receiving training from highly esteemed instructors and performing in various plays and shows. Organizing dozens of film screenings at the University as part of the Cinema Club and shooting a short film, whose script I wrote, with the support of our valued instructor are among the memories I will never forget. At our University, where education was conducted fully in English, every student benefited from a learning environment aligned with Ataturk’s principles and on par with contemporary civilizations. This foundation made us all well-equipped and strong in our professional lives after graduation. Before graduating in 2007, I passed the Assistant Inspector exams of three different banks and chose to begin my career at Vakıfbank. I believe the education and training I received at Izmir University of Economics played a significant role in allowing me to start working at a target institution immediately after graduation.I worked as an Inspector at Vakıfbank for about 8 years, conducting audit (inspection, review, and investigation) activities at the bank’s domestic and international branches. Afterwards, I served as Assistant Branch Manager at the Izmir Branch and as Branch Manager at the Mersinli/Izmir Branch. I am currently serving as the Branch Manager at the Girne Boulevard/Izmir Branch.During this time, Izmir University of Economics has also become one of the most respected universities in our region and country. Many of my friends have achieved great success around the world. I am very happy to be part of such a community.