School / Department: Luiss Guido Carli University, Master of Arts (MA), European Studies 

Institution and Position: Financial Controller, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH)

 

Could you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born in Ankara in 1987. My childhood was shaped by an environment that encouraged curiosity and a passion for learning, foundations that would later influence my academic journey. I completed my primary and secondary education at Private Yüce College, followed by high school at Yüce Science High School. I then pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics at Hacettepe University. During my university years, I had the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus programme and study in London, UK. Living in a multicultural environment, building friendships with people from diverse backgrounds, and discovering different perspectives proved to be a pivotal experience in both my personal and professional development.

Alongside a busy academic and professional life, I make a conscious effort to create time for myself and maintain balance. Photography, swimming, and long walks are among the activities that help me recharge both mentally and physically. I also find great joy in exploring new cities whenever I get the chance. Observing the culture and daily life of different geographies is not only a personal passion but has also become a source of inspiration and a meaningful lifestyle practice for me.

 

How has your career progressed up until now?

After my undergraduate studies, I began my professional career at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, where I was involved in various financial and technical aspects of EU-funded projects. As a Jean Monnet scholar, I pursued a master’s degree in European Studies at Luiss Guido Carli University in Italy, and later completed a second master’s degree in Economics at the Middle East Technical University. For nearly 13 years, I worked as a EU Expert on a wide range of projects. In 2022, I decided to continue my career abroad and relocated to Luxembourg. I am currently working as a Financial Controller at the Luxembourg Institute of Health[1], focusing on EU-funded, national, and international projects.

 

Could you provide some details about the university and the subject you studied through Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme?

In the 2015–2016 academic year, I completed my master’s degree in European Studies at LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome, Italy, through the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme. This experience was not only academically enriching but also a significant milestone in my personal development.

During my studies, I had the opportunity to explore in depth the institutional structure of the EU, its decision-making processes, and, in particular, its financial instruments. The theoretical knowledge I gained on EU policies, when combined with my previous professional experience, allowed me to develop a more strategic and structural understanding of the EU’s financial system and project funding mechanisms.

My practical background in Project Cycle Management (PCM) played a key role in helping me integrate this knowledge into real-world applications. This synergy between academic learning and hands-on experience enhanced my ability to approach EU-funded projects with both analytical insight and operational awareness.

For my master’s thesis, I focused on the EU’s approach to social policy during times of crisis. Specifically, I examined the multidimensional poverty faced by refugees and evaluated the EU’s institutional and financial response to these challenges.

Thanks to the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme, I was able to engage with the EU’s social, economic, and financial policies not only at a theoretical level but also in terms of their practical implications. This holistic perspective has continued to inform and enrich my professional outlook ever since.

 

How has the education you completed through Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme influenced your perspective on the EU?

Through my academic background and previous professional experiences, I was already familiar with several policy areas of the EU. However, the education I received as part of the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme allowed me to deepen and broaden this interest considerably. It gave me the opportunity to move beyond a purely theoretical or technical understanding and to experience how the EU operates across various policy fields, how decisions are made, what drives them, and how they translate into everyday life.

During my time in the programme, I felt the presence of the EU not only in the classroom but also in daily life. Whether reading product labels in a supermarket or travelling freely across borders, I encountered the concrete effects of European integration first-hand. These moments helped me see the EU not just as a set of institutions, but as a living system that actively shapes the lives of its citizens.

This multi-layered perspective, shaped by the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme, has given me a clearer understanding of the EU’s evolving nature and its possible future directions. Overall, the experience made the EU more tangible, relatable, and relevant to everyday life.

 

What advice would you give to prospective Jean Monnet scholars?

For me, the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme was not just an academic opportunity but also a chance to see life from a different perspective. Living in a new country, becoming part of a different culture, and meeting new people can be exciting yet challenging, but this is exactly where personal growth begins. My advice to candidates is to balance academic goals with cultural and personal experiences: explore the city, join cultural events, and embrace everyday life. Time passes quickly, so plan ahead but stay flexible find a balance between the library and the streets. Wherever you go, you will return as a more mature, self-aware, and enriched individual.

Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) is a public biomedical research organization focusing on precision medicine.