Hey friends! I am Muhammet, a junior management student.
My Education
My educational journey began in my village, Sanezer, Köprüçayır, in Ağrı, where I completed my primary school education. For middle school, I attended school in my town, Eleşkirt (Zetga), as there was no middle school in my village due to the declining population. Unfortunately, the primary school in my village closed just one year after I graduated, also because of the decreasing population.
For high school, I studied at Ağrı Dağı Anatolian High School in the city center of Ağrı. During those four years, I stayed in the school dormitory and only returned home on weekends. Unfortunately, I don’t have any relevant pictures to add for this section.
My University
When it comes to my educational background, I would like to talk about Boğaziçi University, as most of the stories and experiences I’ve shared on my website came to life thanks to the environment this incredible university provided me during my four-year journey. With its inspiring students, dedicated teachers, breathtaking campus, and so much more,
Boğaziçi became a place where I grew not only academically but also personally. You might think I’m exaggerating, but words alone cannot fully capture what this university means to me.
During my high school years, I always dreamed of attending Boğaziçi University, but I often doubted whether I could make it. The Department of Management, which I aspired to join, only accepts students who rank in the top 0.01% of the nationwide university entrance exam. Competing against nearly 3 million students each year, getting into the top 500 seemed like an impossible challenge. Despite the odds, I held onto that dream. When the 2021 exam results were announced, I experienced a moment I will never forget: I ranked 305th out of 2.5–3 million students. All the hard work and long days had paid off, and I was finally on my way to my dream university.
However, when I started studying at Boğaziçi University, I realized I had only seen a small slice of the cake. The university was so much more than I had imagined. It wasn’t just a prestigious label that would open doors for me; it was a place for personal growth, design thinking, and effective learning. Every component of the university—its people, culture, and opportunities—contributed to shaping who I am today. Of course, like any community, there were challenges, and not every individual or experience was perfect. But these small imperfections don’t spoil the bigger picture, do they? :)
Vienna University of Economics and Business
My Erasmus Experience
For my Erasmus experience, I can say that I just started my journey in Vienna three weeks ago at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU). I am now exploring this beautiful and most livable city in the world, with its stunning nature and rich history, while studying at a university that has fascinating buildings and a strong academic reputation.
You might ask, "Muhammet, why did you choose WU for your Erasmus studies?" Well, I often get this question, and my answer is simple: I wanted to be at a university where I could learn a lot while also having opportunities to explore a vibrant city, just like I do in Istanbul. Vienna offers the perfect balance between academic excellence and cultural richness.
I also want to mention my earlier goals about Erasmus Studies: When I got into Boğaziçi University, one of my goals was to do an Erasmus exchange semester abroad. Because I wanted to explore global perspectives, step out of my comfort zone, and grow both personally and academically. To achieve this goal, I worked hard to maintain a high GPA while also participating in extracurricular activities. Thanks to my efforts, I was able to get the Erasmus Fund by the European Union, and now here I am in Vienna, pursuing my studies, learning, and meeting new people from all over the world.
Additionally , I am learning German language , and also attending the Cultural Orientation Program organized by WU’s International Office, which is helping me better understand Austrian culture and integrate into life here.
Gradually, I will be sharing my new experiences about the lovely WU and the enchanting city of Vienna in one of my upcoming blogs. Stay tuned!
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My Summer School Experience
The 2023 Utrecht University Summer School was one of my first international experiences during the early years of my university education. It was an opportunity I came across while searching for ways to gain meaningful experiences.
Utrecht University offered two waivers for students from Boğaziçi University to attend its renowned summer school courses. I applied for this scholarship to study in the Netherlands for three weeks and learn new things. Fortunately, I was accepted, and I spent three weeks in Utrecht, a beautiful city in the Netherlands with plenty of rainy days! :)
At Utrecht University, I had the chance to deepen my knowledge of European History, the European Union, and their international connections on a broader scale. During my time in Utrecht, I met many wonderful people whose company I enjoyed and from whom I learned a great deal. Through university-organized excursions, we visited Ypres, Belgium, to explore World War I graveyards and the Flanders Field Museum. We also visited several museums in Amsterdam with knowledgeable guides. These experiences enriched my understanding of history from another country's perspective.
Beyond academic insights, thanks to my friends Nick and Hanna, I also had the opportunity to bike around Utrecht for hours, immersing myself in the Netherlands' famous bicycle culture. I look forward to visiting Utrecht again and strolling through its beautiful streets—hopefully on a sunny day this time! Just kidding! :)
This section ends here, but it’s important to note that learning is an ongoing process for me, and it never stops. I believe I will further enhance this section in the near future! :)