A Turkish student, displaced by a major earthquake, received a full scholarship from Sahmyook University’s Korean Language Institute, completing her studies before returning to her homeland. She expressed her desire to open a Korean cultural center in her hometown once it’s restored, inviting all those who supported her during her studies at Sahmyook University.

Here’s her gripping tale: Tugce Esen, a 19-year-old enrolled in Ankara University’s Korean Language and Literature program, decided to spend her break with family in her hometown of Hatay after completing her first semester. Little did she know, on the early morning of February 6th, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 struck the region, followed by relentless aftershocks of 7.7 magnitude the next day. This seismic catastrophe claimed over 50,000 lives, leaving countless others displaced.

In the wake of the disaster, Tugce’s family found themselves amidst the ruins, their once-secure lives shattered like fragile glass. Buildings collapsed, streets were choked with debris, and their apartment, though still standing, bore severe structural damage. Amidst the chaos, finding a semblance of normalcy was an uphill battle, with even securing basic necessities proving to be a daunting task.

Unable to return to school due to the turmoil, Tugce resorted to online classes. However, with the weight of her family’s financial struggles pressing down upon her, the prospect of abandoning her studies loomed ominously.

Enter Professor Yu Eun-mi from Ankara University, who reached out to Sahmyook University’s Global Korean Studies Center, spearheaded by Professor Lee Seung-yeon, in a bid to provide Tugce with a lifeline. Thanks to their collaborative efforts, Tugce was granted a six-month stint at Sahmyook University’s Korean Language Institute, where she received not only academic support but also a full waiver of the 3 million won tuition fee.

Professor Yu underscored the significance of this opportunity in empowering Tugce to carve out a brighter future, not only for herself but also for her family and community back home.

Tugce, expressing her deep-seated desire to study in Korea, hailed it as a dream shared by all Turkish students passionate about Korean language and culture. Despite her family’s ongoing struggles, their unwavering support buoyed her spirits, instilling in her the courage to grasp this newfound opportunity.

Her enrollment at Sahmyook University went beyond mere tuition waivers. Sahmyook’s faculty members, through their charity arm, Sahmyook Love Shop, generously covered her dormitory expenses, while Professors Lee Seung-yeon and Yu Eun-mi extended financial support totaling 2.5 million won over five months to aid her living expenses.

Reflecting on her transformative journey, Tugce expressed profound gratitude for the outpouring of support that enabled her to concentrate on her studies in a stable environment. She marveled at the stark contrast between studying in Turkey and Korea, where every facet of daily life presented an opportunity for immersion in Korean language and culture.

Having returned to Turkey after the winter semester concluded, Tugce acknowledged the ongoing challenges her hometown faces. Nevertheless, she remains resolute in her determination to pursue her studies in Turkey and harbors aspirations of establishing a Korean cultural center in Hatay once it’s rebuilt.

In closing, Tugce emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of adversity, extending heartfelt thanks to Sahmyook University for the invaluable opportunity that has ignited within her an unwavering resolve to continue her Korean language studies. She pledged to redouble her efforts to make her professors proud and eagerly anticipates the day she can extend a warm invitation to them to visit the Korean cultural center in her hometown.