As a kid, Selin dreamed of becoming a doctor. But life took her on a slightly different path, and she ended up studying pharmacy. Today, she is a fourth-year pharmacy student. For the past five years, she worked with local organizations in Türkiye, balancing her studies and her passion for helping others. Despite her efforts, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. When she heard about In-Sight Collaborative’s humanitarian mentorship program, she felt it was the perfect chance to learn how to make a bigger difference.
"Since childhood, I've always wanted to be a medical professional to help those in need. I didn't become a doctor, but being a pharmacy student has been fulfilling. Still, after five years in this field, I feel like there's more I can do. This program seems like the right opportunity to grow."
Before joining the mentorship program, Selin worked with Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in Türkiye. It started well, but soon she discovered a harsh truth. "At first, it was good. But after a couple of weeks, I found out that they were only helping the refugees to get information to send to the government to deport them. When I found out, I warned the refugees and left the job. I felt really bad because I was a part of it. Nowadays, it's really hard to trust charities," Selin shared, her voice heavy with disappointment.
The organization she worked with seemed more focused on getting money than genuinely helping people. "The association I was working with only cared about funding. There was a time when they gave gifts worth maybe 5-10 USD to the community, took pictures, and used them for publicity. I don’t work for them anymore," she explained, frustration evident in her words.
Despite these setbacks, Selin's passion for humanitarian work didn't wane. The mentorship program gave her a fresh perspective and a new sense of community She left not only equipped with the tools to enact positive change, but with optimism. "I’d always look forward to my focus group discussions on Sundays. I’d always think I missed a session and be like, ‘Oh, I missed my session!’ but really, I can’t believe it’s over," she said, laughing at how much she enjoyed those sessions.
Helping Syrians in Türkiye was just the beginning for Selin. The mentorship program showed her that she could have an impact on a global scale. "The idea of helping people around the world and making their lives better is really fulfilling. Seeing others doing great work makes me want to do more too," she said, her eyes lighting up with determination.
Looking ahead, Selin is hoping to get involved in a humanitarian project this summer. She’s more motivated than ever to dive deeper into the nonprofit and humanitarian world. Her journey is a heartfelt reminder of the power of compassion and the drive to make the world a better place.
"I want to do something bigger than myself. I’m driven by the desire to make a positive change, and this program has given me the tools and confidence to make a real impact, not just for others but for myself too."
