Born in a relatively small city in Thrace, in the Turkish part of this historically rich and culturally diverse region, I grew up immersed in the narratives of many civilizations that have left their mark on this crossroads of Europe and Asia. This unique environment sparked my early fascination with history and culture and inspired me to explore how the past continues to shape the present in profound and surprising ways.

Driven by this interest, I pursued a degree in history at Istanbul University, located in one of the most historically significant cities in the world. As a historic institution founded in 1453, Istanbul University provided an ideal setting for studying history. During this time, I developed a strong foundation in Ottoman, Balkan, and Central European history. In the later years of my bachelor’s degree, my essays and projects focused on topics such as Bulgarian and Greek national movements, the late Ottoman Empire, and the birth of the Turkish Republic.

After graduating, life took me in an exciting new direction. As a "love immigrant," I moved to Poland, where I was accepted into the University of Wrocław to pursue a master’s degree in International Relations. Much like my home region, Wrocław is a crossroads of history, where the layers of various historical periods remain visible in daily life. This experience deepened my academic and personal interests in nationalism and historical narratives. However, my focus shifted from purely historical perspectives to exploring these topics' political and theoretical dimensions.

This shift led to the creation of my master’s thesis, a particularly rewarding project that allowed me to combine the various fields of knowledge I had cultivated over the years. To analyze state security behavior, I drew on not only political concepts but also psychological frameworks, including fear, anxiety, personal narratives, and the importance of routines. This interdisciplinary approach was deeply enriching, expanding my understanding of how states respond to uncertainty and threats, as well as how psychological factors shape political decisions.

Beyond my academic work, I actively engaged in extracurricular activities to share my love for history. I enjoy uncovering surprising and little-known stories from the past, writing about them, and presenting them on various platforms. These activities are closely aligned with my interests and enable me to connect with others through storytelling and knowledge-sharing.

Unexpected but rewarding opportunities have also marked my academic journey. In the first year of my master’s program, I published my first peer-reviewed article, surprisingly on space debris and space sustainability—a topic I had never anticipated researching or writing about. This experience taught me the value of stepping outside my comfort zone and exploring unfamiliar subjects. Another highlight of my academic career was presenting my research on the Serbian-Bulgarian War of 1885 at a graduate symposium at the University of Cambridge in 2024. This was an incredible experience for a master's student.

Currently, I am expanding my expertise by studying the concept of strategic culture. I aim to link this concept with my previous academic knowledge, exploring how it intersects with nationalism, historical narratives, and state behavior. My goal is to analyze how collective historical memories, cultural frameworks, and psychological factors shape modern states’ approaches to security and international relations. My background in history has been instrumental in this process, allowing me to trace the origins of strategic thought and understand how past events influence present-day decision-making.

In addition to my academic pursuits, an important aspect of my personal development has been shaped by my work in customer service, a field I have been involved in since high school. This experience has taught me the value of clear and empathetic communication, something I now feel confident doing professionally. I genuinely enjoy meeting new people, engaging with them daily, and making small yet meaningful contributions to their lives. Working in customer service has also allowed me to develop my Polish language skills—a personal achievement I am proud of. Locals often express admiration for my ability to communicate effectively in what they consider a very challenging language, and their feedback continues to motivate me.