Become a Part of History
Everything has begun with Social Sciences Olympics that I attended in 2003. I discovered my interests to social sciences in this contest. One day, I was studying Ottoman History and I realized that I have also same characteristics with my successful ancestors. Therefore, I thought why I am not a part of this big history. Maybe I cannot change course of history, but I can be an influential person who has strong thoughts, discourses and effects on the course. To make it real, I have dedicated my career on Political Science and Public Administration.
I have chosen this field to learn thinking strategically, making thoughtfully, and talking carefully. I joined to the election for the presidency of the high school when my first year. It was a courageous behavior. Because all of my opponents were in their third or last grade and they were all well known persons. Although I was in my first grade, I made my stump speech bravely in front of 400 students. I told them my projects about our school to uplift it for them. So, I was vigorously applauded and now everyone would know me. It was the first experience of public speaking.
All students have to choice a field when they are in second grade in high school. To be an excellent administrator, I should have known how to think analytically and critically. Therefore, I choose equiponderant field that includes math and geometry classes beside social classes like history and geography. And, I started to study for National University Entrance Exam. However, I continued my social activities during the preparing process to the exam. I learned playing guitar and singing. So, I was selected to my high school musical choir and we joined to National Music Contests among all high schools in Turkey. While this activity, I was selected to High School Theater Club. We acted a drama in Public Theater Hall in 2007. I played leading role at that drama. What have I gained from these experiences? Self-confidence, sociability, freely thinking…
In 2008, I placed in the first percent in National University Exam which 1.500.000 candidates took and I attended Fatih University with a full scholarship. It was the most important step on my career. Because, Fatih University is the second best university in Political Science and Public Administration. I graduated sixth from between 60 students. During my university life, I participated to some academic clubs that organize and assist seminars, conferences, reading groups… I organized a reading group in “Civil Academy” that consists of students who have academic abilities and aims. In addition, we organized two conferences and six seminars as a group in the university. I was selected also to “Honor Academy” that consists of the best students, who assists to faculty members, of each social sciences field. Moreover, I assisted to Chairman of Political Sciences and Public Administration. On the other hand, I got four Honor Certificates because of my academic achievements. I have authored three academic articles, one of which was published by an academic law magazine. Social Perspective of NGOs (2011) is one of the prides of my undergraduate career.
All the time, I try to be different from others. I tried to gain different qualifications. I made something different to get my goals closer. Therefore, I chose to come to the U.S., and continue my professional education in here. After a deep searching process, I realized that George Mason University is one the best place to improve my knowledge and take some more steps towards to my goals. GMU offered me a graduate pathway opportunity, which provides me ESL courses besides major degree courses, and requires progressing them successfully. As an international graduate student, I am aware of that I need do improve my language skills, and learn graduate degree requirements in the U.S. However, I have learnt many aspects of studying at graduate school in the U.S. and developed my English skills in academic path during the one-year graduate pathway education at GMU. Moreover, I got chance to experience graduate life and trends in here. After progressing the pathway process, I am completely determined to continue my master’s degree in Public Policy at GMU. I choose this particular field, because of I would like to go deep into the field. In addition, Master in Public Policy offers many different emphasis areas. But, I would like to focus on just one of them, which is Science and Technology Policy. I am eager to improve my knowledge in this specific area due to I would like to become an expert of renewable energy policies.
I know there are a myriad of thing that I have to learn. I have not chosen the easy way. Because, no one of the persons who has changed the course of history did not choose the easy way. What I mean when I told changing the course of history? I mean doing the best for humanity, making better the world for everyone, producing the gorgeous for our next generations.
As a consequent, I do not want to be a pawn of history. I want to be an actor of history. When I told I have not chosen the easy way, I meant this. To make it real, I am aware of the importance of specializing on fields. To specialize myself, I decided to continue my education process. Because, education is a way that has no end. I have devoted myself to this process. All steps after graduation are like letters that are written to never ending book of history. To be a letter of it, I want to attend to Master in Public Policy program and appraise my abilities with potentials of George Mason University.
Best Regards,
Dogukan Yuksel