Lilit Gasparyan

In my 3rd academic year of studies in law in Armenia, after my second visit to Istanbul, I decided to change my field of study. I eventually found myself in Paris, doing Turkish studies. Even though Yerevan State University had a Turkish Studies programme, my objective was to learn about a neighbor country from a third party’s perspective. The goal was well chosen! Between my undergraduate studies in Paris and my graduate studies in Turkey, there were 6 years full of experiences, emotions, frustrations, all of them in Turkey. As a journalist in Agos weekly newspaper, correspondent for the Armenian TV channel I had a chance to prove my knowledge of the country, exploring the hidden layers of Turkish Society. As a result of these long and full years my next aim was to understand Turkish Foreign Policy much more deeply. Istanbul Bilgi University was the only right place for me to start my next academic journey as an Armenian from Armenia in Turkey. With a full scholarship from the University, I had the honor to meet great professors and classmates, each of them becoming an added value to my personal development and my carrier. From the very beginning that was clear - my thesis would not be related to my identity. Therefore, I chose the topic which was not really studied even in Turkey - “Who makes Turkey’s foreign policy? The main actors of the AKP era”. Choosing my master’s thesis adviser was equally a crucial decision: I decided to not follow the traditional approach of writing our thesis with the “oldest” professors, and decided to opt for one with the greatest experience in the field. What a chance it was for me to work with him. Istanbul Bilgi University made me feel that borders are very artificial! Besides the diploma and knowledge, the University offered me the opportunity to gain Turkish friends out of my classmates, individuals who now hold a special place in my life. If you want to discover and surpass yourself you should live the experience of Istanbul Bilgi University.  

Lilit Gasparyan