It’s like a debt owed to my younger self

Yesterday was a particularly special day for me as I had the opportunity to give a presentation about my Fulbright experience to students from my university. Sharing how I received the scholarship and embarked on my journey to study screenwriting in the U.S. is something I truly cherish. San Francisco immediately captured my heart, and over the span of two years, I delighted in the experience, engaging with classmates and individuals from diverse backgrounds around the globe.

However, there was a deeper significance to giving that presentation yesterday; it felt like a debt owed to my younger self.

After earning a degree in journalism and realizing that my passion lay in screenwriting, I dared to dream of studying it in the U.S. At the time, there were no specialized screenwriting programs in Turkey, and I was captivated by the curriculum offered by American universities. The prospect of courses like “Creating Characters” and “TV Writing” seemed almost surreal to me.

Yet, every dream comes with its own set of fears. I vividly recall the anxiety that consumed me during that period. If I had converted that nervous energy into electricity, it would have been enough to light up an entire city! 😊

I believe in the importance of sharing our experiences because while everyone must forge their own path, it’s crucial to let young people know they are not alone. The fears, the self-doubt, and the exhilaration that feels like your heart might burst—they’re all part of the journey.

The photo captures a moment from those cherished days. We were in New York for the Fulbright Enrichment Seminar, and I distinctly remember feeling like “I’m a big, big girl, in a big, big world.” (Boomers out there, I know you too are humming that song right now. 🙂)