From Türkiye’s Mardin to Chicago: A tale of determination and success

From Türkiye’s Mardin to Chicago: A tale of determination and success

In a world overflowing with tales of younger people forging paths towards academic excellence, there are tales that shine brighter, tales that remind us of the resilience and willpower that may be discovered even in probably the most difficult circumstances.

Among these narratives, one latest story that captivated explicit consideration amongst locals in Türkiye stands out for encapsulating the essence of the human spirit and the unyielding pursuit of information.

Meet Yılmaz Acar, a 24-year-old from the medieval, architecturally wealthy southeastern province of Mardin in Türkiye.

Now a contemporary graduate and a top-tier scholar from a double main in a non-public college in Istanbul, he’s set to embark on one other academic journey, as he was accepted for a grasp’s diploma program on the University of Chicago within the U.S. after being accepted by 9 totally different applications in each the U.S. and the U.Okay. earlier owing to his excellent educational document.

With a humble begin tending sheep within the rugged landscapes of Türkiye’s southeastern Mardin, Acar launched into a unprecedented path and is now being extremely praised for his educational accomplishments.

Among the youngest of 13 siblings, he defied the percentages and launched into a quest for data that may take him removed from his village and his household. The journey would open many doorways to broaden his pursuits, together with studying superior English and Arabic, in addition to participation in lots of extracurricular actions, seminars and alternate applications.

As a younger boy who tended to his herd, he balanced his obligations with getting ready for the college entrance examination – a feat that demanded not solely mental prowess but in addition sheer willpower.

Yılmaz Acar in the fields of his hometown Mardin, southeastern Türkiye, Aug. 8, 2023. (IHA Photo)

Yılmaz Acar within the fields of his hometown Mardin, southeastern Türkiye, Aug. 8, 2023. (IHA Photo)

Preparing for the college entrance examination at a district’s public schooling heart, he deliberate on persevering with his path of schooling both within the western province of Izmir, the place his elder brothers have been already settled, or transferring to Istanbul and pursuing a level within the nation’s most populous metropolis and a serious transcontinental hub.

Eventually, after years of devotion throughout highschool, his efforts bore fruit as he secured a full scholarship at Istanbul’s Ibn Haldun University.

Speaking to Daily Sabah, Acar recalled his days on the village, noting he spent quite a lot of time in nature, rigorously tending to his duties with animals on weekends and after college.

Speaking about his journey, upbringing, and additional academic {and professional} objectives, Acar recalled the philosophy of esteemed scientist and Nobel laureate Dr. Aziz Sancar as having impressed him towards excellence.

“Most people believe in intelligence, I do not. What sets us apart is effort. I believe in work,” the molecular biologist and Acar’s fellow compatriot mentioned on an event, and it was partly these phrases that usually floated by means of younger Acar’s thoughts, as he believes it was his onerous work and willpower to keep up a 4.0 GPA that formed him into the person who narrates this constructive story.

Highlighting he was the primary from his household to graduate from highschool after which college, being the son of the safety guard, Acar recalled the challenges and hurdles the area he hails from confronted previously.

“It was a reality of our region, during those security issues, in the late ’90s, many people couldn’t attend university if they weren’t aligned with terrorist groups like the PKK and its affiliations in the region. That’s why many people were migrating to other cities. My family, for example, has many members, but the majority lives in Izmir, Germany or elsewhere as diaspora,” he defined.

However, he famous that the scenario improved over the previous 20 years, as he and plenty of of his counterparts pushed by the want to be taught, and aided by academic alternatives supplied by the state, managed to appreciate their path to enchancment and success.

On the query as to how life introduced him to Istanbul and what affected his decision-making course of, Acar mentioned that he was supplied a full scholarship in 2019 and that particularly, regardless of Istanbul typically being tagged as costly, it was the multilingual coverage, worldwide tasks and summer time college alternatives supplied by his college obtained him to ultimately enroll within the course.

Prosperous years

Acar, who with cheer and pleasure elaborated on quite a few actions he was a part of throughout his undergraduate years after finishing preparatory English and Arabic programs, mentioned he was part of the Doha debate workforce in addition to a number of seminars that led him to discover international locations throughout Europe, North Africa and the Gulf.

Noting that the preparations for the journey to the U.S. are underway, Acar mentioned: “I will be attending the orientation week in September. I plan to travel there early in September. I plan to study political studies within the social sciences department there for a year or two.”

Describing his thirst for data, significantly on this main discipline of Islamic sciences, he believes the issues within the nation and the Muslim world are clustered round politics and political thought, owing to inspiration from the “wrong places” and overlooking the origin of the wealthy civilization Türkiye owns. He clarify that this was the rationale he wished to work on this discipline.

Acar famous that earlier than the final yr of his undergraduate schooling, functions for grasp’s and doctorate levels opened up, and he utilized for grasp’s levels at 12 universities within the U.S. and U.Okay. with the assistance of his professors.

Stating that his household had blended emotions about him heading abroad, the younger scholar mentioned his dad and mom have been immensely happy with him, as they nonetheless obtain dozens of calls from relations as of late.

“Some of these schools offered me full scholarships, some gave me 50% scholarships. At the end of the day, I consulted my teachers, my family and friends, and I opted to join the University of Chicago. This school is one of the top 10 schools in the world with a solid tradition in social sciences.”

Explaining that his aim is to serve his state and excel much more within the worldwide enviornment by getting acquainted with different theories, civilizations and cultures, Acar mentioned he hopes and can be fortunate if his private achievements function inspiration to not less than one youngster in his village. He additionally thanked his buddies, household and lecturers from his native rural college and college for his or her unwavering help.

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Source: www.dailysabah.com