University / Department: Leiden University, Master’s Program in Political Science

Current Institution and Position: Head of the Department of International Relations, Yaşar University

 

Could you briefly tell us about yourself? How has your career path evolved to where you are today?

I graduated from TED Ankara College in 2000 and from the Department of International Relations at Bilkent University in 2004, where I studied on a full scholarship. My longstanding interest in understanding the multilayered and dynamic relationship between foreign policy-making processes and domestic political dynamics led me to pursue a master’s thesis at Leiden University’s Department of Political Science, focusing on comparative foreign policy analysis.

After completing my master’s degree in the Netherlands, I contributed as a project assistant at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague, working on a project focused on the development of EU–Türkiye relations. In addition to the opportunities provided by the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme, having the chance to undertake an internship abroad also played a highly significant role in both my professional and personal development at that stage of my life.

Upon returning to Türkiye, my intention to continue my academic journey through doctoral studies became clear. Drawing on my experiences as an international student in the Netherlands, I decided to focus my doctoral research on migration studies. As I was particularly interested in migration-related research conducted in the United Kingdom, I submitted applications to several universities there with my research proposal. After receiving an offer of admission from the University of Cambridge, I had the opportunity to begin my academic work in the field of migration.

During my doctoral studies at Cambridge, I was also a visiting researcher at the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS) in Oxford, England, as well as at the European University Institute in Italy. Following the completion of my academic studies in the UK, I joined the Department of International Relations at Yaşar University as a faculty member. I currently serve as Head of the Department. Since September 2023, I have also been serving as Chairholder of Türkiye’s first and only UNESCO International Migration Chair, which is hosted by Yaşar University.

 

Could you tell us about the university where you studied through the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme and the subject you focused on?

Leiden University’s Department of Political Science is a highly respected academic institution with a faculty that has made significant contributions to the discipline of Political Science worldwide. The university’s grading system is based on a scale of 10, and I was initially quite surprised when Dutch students told me, “You can only get a 10 if you are a professor.” Nevertheless, the high standards applied by the academic staff in evaluating students’ work made a substantial contribution to my academic development.

In my master’s thesis, I comparatively analysed the relations of the European Union and Türkiye with Israel, which enabled me to further develop my academic analysis and writing skills. Although I later focused on a different subject area migration for my doctoral studies, my master’s experience at Leiden University provided me with a much stronger academic foundation. My interactions with friends from diverse social and cultural backgrounds during that period also made an important contribution to my personal growth.

 

How did the education you completed through the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme influence your perspective on the European Union?

Thanks to Jean Monnet, I had the opportunity to better understand the European Union’s soft power and prestige. In addition, the education I received from highly qualified academics in their respective fields helped me develop both my academic work and my overall perspective. Having spent many years abroad, I continue to make use of the experiences and knowledge I gained there in Türkiye, intending to contribute to my country.

 

What advice would you like to give to prospective Jean Monnet scholarship applicants?

The Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme is one of the most prestigious and comprehensive scholarship opportunities in Türkiye for those wishing to study abroad. It is important for candidates to closely follow current developments regarding the broader framework of EU–Türkiye relations, while also clearly identifying the field they wish to focus on within the scope of the scholarship and staying informed about developments in that area.

In addition to making the most of their time abroad in ways that significantly contribute to their academic development, I would also recommend that they see it as an opportunity to experience different cultures and develop a broader vision of the world.