PERSONAL | international

Accession to the European Union: A Myth or Reality?

I was born in Ankara, Turkey where I resided from 2001-2006 for my work as an European Union Expert at the Prime Ministry Secretariat General for the European Union Affairs. This period of my life of work was a "unique" one, since, we were a team working for the fullfilment of "Copenhagen Political Criteria" for Turkey's accession to the European Union. I especially always remember our most busy period during the 3rd "Legislative Package" for harmonization including the abolishment of death penalty and re-trial in light of the judgments of European Court of Human Rights. During the adoption process, we were present at the Turkish Grand National Assembly up to 4 o'clock in the morning!

Time in the UK: Pleasure!

My UK experience has been a milestone regarding my career and personal development. The first time I have been in Colchester, the UK, I was for a study for my second LL.M in the field of "European Community Law" as a "Jean Monnet Scholar of the EU" at the excellent campus of the University of Essex. I always remember the wonderful ducks and gooses at the lake, at the center of the campus. It was so enjoyable to feed them with bread! The campus was such a lovely one situated in the middle of the "Wivenhoe Park". I enjoyed it a lot so that I was there for the second time after my LL.M for my pre-doctoral studies in the field of "European Convention on Human Rights" as a "Chevening Scholar" then. I will also always remember the "lunch-time concerts" with pleasure :) It was great to explore "budget" items at Tesco where there was a specific unit for "discounted products". Home of great "Fish&Chips": without vinegar please!

I could welcome the "millenium" in London in front of the "Big Ben"! I find English people so kind and considerate; giving great importance to traditions. It was good to explore London on "Hop In Hop Off" buses! The most wonderful experience in London was going to theatres and exhibitions. The first performance I could catch was "My Fair Lady!". I travelled around the whole country including Scotland and Wales! Scottish culture is a "unique" one, the nature is also excelent there; I should not forget to underline the great "Scottish Cookies"!

Chevening Alumni Turkey: Excellent Experience!

It has been an excellent experience for me to take part in "Chevening Alumni Turkey Video" in which I shared my positive thoughts on being a "Chevening Scholar" of the UK Government.

To have accesss to the relevant record: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdIsmyT3PXI

University of Essex Alumni: Great being part of!

As an LLM student in European Community Law at the University of Essex, I took part in Essex Effect Issue 4 with the current situation in my career.

To have accesss to the relevant record: http://alumni.essex.ac.uk/netcommunity/document.doc?id=93

Honorary Degree of Distinction: Great to be part of the team!

I was awarded a "Honorary Degree of Distinction" on my efforts in the preparation of "Legal Harmonization Packages" whilst working at the Prime Ministry Secretariat General of the European Union as an European Union Expert.

"Gaining Our Children" Project: Excellent to see the light in the eyes of children!

I was the Training Coordinator in the first EU financed project of Izmir University on the inclusion of "Disadvantaged Children" into society. The method of the project involved interdiciplinary training of "Citizen Safety Police" on "Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights" and reflection of this training to "Disadvantaged Children" and social activities with "Disadvantaged Children" and "Citizen Safety Police".